On Joy and Fasting — Girl Catch Fire

I fasted food for the first time yesterday - for 36 hours. This is a common practice in many spiritual traditions, and while I've fasted a lot of things over the years, like coffee, Facebook, and swearing, I think Biblical fasting scared me because I didn't think I could do it.

But then everybody in my fabulous Jesus-honoring, disciple-making church, Legacy House was doing it and telling incredible stories, so I DECIDED to be brave and DECIDED to do it too. (there’s a little truth bomb in that one word, that’s why it’s all-caps.)

I needed to gain some clarity, to release my grip on some things (again) and I have to say, I feel very calm and clear today, refreshed even, and the avocado toast I made this morning was sublime.

Since it was hard but cool and ultimately successful, I've now expanded my capacity to do other scary things, because I can probably do them too.

But here's something else it confirmed.

I'm already enough. I'm doing enough. My work is enough. I have enough.

And while it's true that some days are harder than others, I am extraordinarily lucky to do what I do for a living. I get so much joy watching the lights go on for my clients because pursuing your purpose or vision will grow you more than anything else I know of. It is its own joyful reward.

Joy is reason enough to do things.

Another thing that reliably brings me joy is really good coffee with cream and sugar. I've fasted that for Lent many times, but today, on my way to the office, I got excited about making one. Just the way I like it.

And I'm drinking it right now and considering making a list of other things that bring me joy too because I want to remember to do them when life feels heavy, hard, or scary, but I want you to do it with me.

What brings you joy? Make your own list.

Do it in the comments, send me an email, make your own post and tag me, whatever. Our community is as strong as our participation it in and I really want to hear from you. I want to get to know what matters to you, and what makes you sing. So let 'er rip.

Here's my in-no-way-exhaustive joy list.

Rivers.
Mountains.
Snowboarding.
Dinners with many friends.
The Pacific Northwest.
The giant oaks in my neighborhood.
My front porch.
Talking to my neighbors.
Serving.
Writing beautiful words.
Yoga.
Traveling.
Jesus - Goes without saying, but I'm saying it anyway.

There now. Don’t you feel a little bit better?

Focusing on what is good and lovely in your life will make everything work better. I promise. Writing down what brings you joy and choosing to do as many of them as possible on the regular is one-way happy people crank their own motors.

Go ahead and try it if you didn’t. For bonus points click here and send me your list.

xoErin

ps. Did you know we are hosting our next LIVE all-women’s retreat in June in Chamonix France? Over half the spaces are already full, so if you want to spend some time with amazing women in an incredible town in the French Alps, resetting your mind, body and spirit check it here. Oh, you need to see some video of our other retreats in Chamonix first? Check that out here.

pps. Our flagship course The Meaning of Midlife is teaching the exact things I talked about above. Are you tired of your midlife rut yet? Ready to climb out and start building something you actually love? Book a chat with us here.