Have you ever heard of “Spark Joy?” wondered why some people effortlessly achieve their goals and desires while others seem stuck in a cycle of trying harder, following protocols, and tracking checklists without any progress? The answer lies in the concept of “Spark Joy,” also known as “aligned action.” It’s all about intentionally infusing your daily life with a sense of joy and positivity that can pave the way for transformation and manifestation.
What Does “Spark Joy” Means?
To understand “Spark Joy,” think about this: How much time do you need to spend focusing on your desires or goals, whether it’s weight loss, finding a relationship, healing your body, or building your dream business? Surprisingly, the answer is almost never. Contrary to what many industries and coaches might tell you, you don’t need to monitor your every step, follow strict protocols, or try harder continuously.
“Spark Joy” takes a different approach. It encourages you to shift your focus from “how” to “what it feels like.” All you need is faith, belief, and cultivating the same feelings and emotional state you’d experience once you’ve achieved your desires. Emotion is the driving force behind action, and when you’re propelled by positive emotions, circumstances tend to align in your favor.
To embrace the “Spark Joy” philosophy, you need to find those little moments that enliven and inspire you, giving you a mental, emotional, and physical boost. Consider this: You have around 50,000 to 80,000 thoughts each day, and a significant portion of them are negative or repetitive. This is why “Spark Joys” are invaluable in your daily life.
This concept was inspired by Marie Kondo’s book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.” She recommends asking yourself, “Does it spark joy?” when decluttering your possessions. If it doesn’t bring you joy, it’s time to let it go. This practice not only declutters your physical space but also frees you from the weight of unnecessary belongings, leaving you feeling lighter, more organized, and inspired.
“Spark Joys” or “aligned action steps” can be simple activities, experiences, or observations that make you feel good. It could be a heartfelt conversation with a friend, your daily morning routine, or enjoying your favorite cup of coffee at your local café. The key is to understand that everything is happening now, and you don’t have to delay feeling good until you achieve your goals. What you’re truly after is a feeling, and when you consistently cultivate those positive emotions, the Universe aligns to deliver you the things that produce those same feelings.
So, how can you start infusing your life with “Spark Joy” right now? What emotions are behind your desires? Here are 50 inspirational examples of “Spark Joys” to inspire you in manifesting your desires:
- A heartfelt conversation with a friend.
- Watching a beautiful sunset.
- Savoring your favorite meal.
- A soothing cup of tea.
- A good book that transports you to another world.
- A relaxing bath.
- A walk in nature.
- Your favorite workout.
- A heartfelt hug.
- An act of kindness, whether given or received.
- An inspiring quote.
- Listening to your favorite music.
- A heartfelt thank you.
- Mindful meditation.
- Comedy show.
- Creative expression through art or writing.
- A productive workday.
- A moment of gratitude.
- Connecting with like-minded individuals.
- Enjoying your favorite hobby.
- Learning something new.
- A heartfelt compliment.
- A cozy blanket on a chilly day.
- Your fav self-care rituals.
- A pet’s unconditional love.
- A beautiful flower arrangement.
- A handwritten letter.
- Accomplishing a small goal.
- A peaceful night’s sleep.
- A loving smile from a stranger.
- A cozy, rainy day spent indoors.
- A heartfelt letter or message from a loved one.
- A spontaneous dance party in your living room.
- Enjoying a delicious piece of dark chocolate or dessert.
- A warm and comforting bowl of soup on a cold day.
- Finding money you forgot you had in an old jacket pocket.
- Completing a crossword or puzzle.
- Discovering a new, inspiring podcast.
- A heartfelt, sincere compliment from a stranger.
- A random act of kindness you perform for someone else.
- A moment of pure, unbridled laughter.
- A successful, creative project or DIY endeavor.
- A handwritten note or card from a friend.
- A beautiful, starry night sky.
- A morning of lounging in your pajamas.
- A relaxing, stress-free day at the beach.
- Your favorite gut-loving meal.
- Shooting hoops
- The feeling of sand between your toes.
- A spontaneous field trip to a new destination/new place in town (coffee shop, bookstore, ect.)
- Completing a challenging task or achieving a personal milestone.
By incorporating “Spark Joys” into your daily life, you’ll not only feel more fulfilled and inspired but also witness your desires manifest with greater ease. Remember, it’s all about cultivating the feelings you desire in the present moment and trusting that the Universe will align circumstances in your favor. So, what’s stopping you from embracing “Spark Joy” today?
Make a list of at least 10-20 things in your daily life that “spark joy” so you have your arsenal built and embrace this concept by doing at least one thing each day to intentionally spark joy and feel good.
Watch your goals come to you more easily and effortlessly.
IDEAS
- Morning Dance Party: Start your day with a dance to your favorite upbeat song.
- Gratitude Journaling: Write down three things you’re grateful for every morning.
- Random Acts of Kindness: Surprise someone with a small act of kindness, like a handwritten note or a compliment.
- Favorite Wardrobe Day: Wear your most vibrant and cheerful outfit to boost your mood.
- Beauty Self Care Routine: Nails, lashes, hair, etc. Book your appointment.
- Nature Walk: Take a stroll in a nearby park or nature reserve and soak in the beauty.
- Artistic Expression: Try your hand at painting, drawing, or any form of creative expression.
- Phone-Free Hour: Disconnect from your devices and enjoy some screen-free time.
- Create a Vision Board: Collect images and quotes that inspire joy and create a vision board.
- Blast from the Past: Watch an old favorite movie or TV show for a dose of nostalgia.
- Indulge in a Treat: Enjoy a small treat or dessert guilt-free.
- Cook a Gut Loving Meal. Nourish your gut bugs.
- Virtual Hangout: Schedule a phone or virtual hangout with friends or family who live far away for laughs and good vibes.
- Mindful Breathing: Practice deep, mindful breathing for a few minutes to center yourself.
- Declutter a Space: Tidy up a small area of your home for a sense of accomplishment.
- Joyful Playlist: Create a playlist of songs that never fail to lift your spirits.
- Read Something Light: Dive into a book or article that brings a smile to your face.
- Learn a Fun Fact: Spend a few minutes learning something new and fascinating.
- Positive Affirmations: Repeat positive affirmations to boost your self-esteem and mood.
- Tech-Free Sunset: Watch the sunset without any electronic distractions.
- Explore Your Hometown: Be a tourist in your own city and visit a local attraction.
- Bake Something New: Try baking a new recipe and savor the delicious results.
- Write a Letter: Send a handwritten letter to a friend or family member.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.
- Shoot Hoops, Hit Golf Balls or Something Else Fun. Do what you love.
- Stargazing Night: Spend an evening stargazing and marveling at the vastness of the universe.
- Learn a Magic Trick: Amaze yourself and others by learning a simple magic trick.
- Be a Kid: Cartwheeling, hula hooping, jumping on a trampoline, etc.
- Self-Care TLC: Pamper yourself with a face mask, pedicure, or massage using a massage gun.
- Laugh Out Loud: Watch a comedy show, listen to a funny podcast, or recall your favorite jokes for a hearty laugh.
ORIGINAL
Want the secret to seeing transformation and the fulfillment of your goals and desires happen in your life without protocols, checklists and “trying harder”? Spark Joy!
“Sparking Joy” (also known as “aligned action”)is all about intentionally creating or finding a little bit of joy, or sense of “feeling good”, into your daily life that will translate into “feeling good” and inspired in other areas of your life so that you can reach your goals and desires faster!
In fact, “Spark Joy” poses the question: How much time do you need to spend focusing on what you want or doing things to make “it” happen (from weight loss to a relationship to healing your body to building your dream business)? The answer to this may surprise you, but pretty much never.
You see, focusing on what we want is merely one of the many tools we can put in our attraction arsenal. It is not a necessary component.
Unfortunately, the diet industry, health industry, self-help industry, business and relationship coaches tell us the exact opposite–telling us to track our macros, monitor our steps, focus on protocols and checklists, read the books, say ‘yes’ to all the dates, put in more effort, more energy, try harder–only to often find ourselves still stuck at square one (no matter how hard we try!).
Spark Joy (aligned action) takes a different approach, instead encouraging us to consider: what would it be like to focus on knowing our desire, our goal is already ours, and all we really have to do is:
(a.) have faith and belief it is “done” and,
(b.) cultivate the same feelings and emotional state we would experience once we have it? Emotion is the propellant of motion; and when we are unmoved by circumstances and unmoved by to do lists, circumstances move for us.
As long as you can cultivate the feelings you believe getting what you want will bring you, and feel like you already have whatever it is you want, you will get it in some form, usually something even better than you originally imagined. If visualizing your desire really gets you in a good place emotionally, and makes you feel great, think about what you want all day long.
(Note: if visualizing makes you feel a bit icky or stressed, which is a common experience for many of us, don’t force yourself to do it. The reason it feels bad is because when we start to think about whatever it is we want, a bunch of crap floats to the surface of our mind. We feel doubtful we will get it; we start trying to figure out ‘how.’ We look at our current circumstances, and can’t possibly see how we would get our ‘stuff’ the way things are now).
“Spark Joys” are the little things that enliven and inspire you—give you a boost mentally, emotionally and physically.
You have upwards of 50,000 to 80,000 thoughts in a given day. Of these thoughts more than 80-percent of them are negative or repeat thoughts you’ve had before. Repeat: 80-percent of your thoughts are negative or repeat thoughts that you’ve had before. This is why Spark Joys are invaluable every day.
I originally developed the Spark Joy concept after reading a book by organization expert Marie Kando’s book, “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.”
In her book, Marie teaches readers how to declutter their lives by going through their clutter—room by room—and asking themselves one question when trying to decide whether to throw something away of keep it: “Does it spark joy?”
If you don’t feel joy about an item, get rid of it.
As a result, you’re free from that 4-sizes-too-small little black dress bought half off at TJ Maxx 3 years ago, and the 40 Beanie Babies collecting dust in a box under your bed. Free from things weighing you down. In doing so, you not only feel lighter and more cleansed, but you also begin to see good things manifest and unfold in other areas of your life. You feel lighter, organized and inspired.
While the practice is game-changing for your closet, in the midst of overcoming my own health challenges, I found “Sparking Joy” to be even more game-changing for my healing.
“Spark joys” or “aligned action steps” are as simple as an activity, an experience or an observation that simply makes you feel good—like a really cool conversation with a new friend or the grocery store clerk, your morning routine or your favorite cup of Joe from your favorite local coffee shop.
Everything is happening NOW, so you don’t have to delay feeling good until you get what you want. What you are after, no matter what it is you want, is a feeling–to feel good, and we desire the things we do because we believe they will produce the particular warm, fuzzies we seek. When we are able to cultivate the feelings we are after on a consistent basis, the trusty Universe will deliver us all the ‘stuff’ that will produce these same feelings. You will feel inspired to do certain things, and when you do those things, you will move closer to what you want. You will engage less frequently in activities where you feel like you are trying to force things, or manipulate situations. You will get more by doing less.
So, what can you do to feel good right now? What feelings lie behind your desires? What can you do in this moment to feel those things now?
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