If ever there was a time when we needed to be reminded that “Life is a Joy” it is right now. 

I often said to my two boys as they were growing up… “Remember, life’s an adventure…make sure you enjoy the ride”. And they did just that in their 24 and 26 years. In this one-day workshop, we look at the things that bring us the joys and delights in life. You know what is right for you, and that may be a bit different for each of us. 

The great positives that have come out of the past couple of years are:

  • realising how fortunate we are to live in this country
  • a greater appreciation of those things that are important to us
  • more support for and understanding of each other
  • witnessing, or experiencing, random acts of kindness
  • treasuring the small things that maybe we took for granted
  • savouring time spent with family and friends 
  • taking stock of our core values 

We talk about the things that we human beings do – how we act and react to all of those things that happen to us in life, and learn how this can set us up for not getting the best out of life.

There are five essential needs that human beings strive for (whether they are aware of these or not; they are part of our make-up) and we explore those five elements that are so important to our ongoing mental wellbeing:

  • Survival – basic needs of food, water, sunshine, and shelter 
  • Love and Belonging – to a family, a community, or other loved ones
  • Power – a sense of winning, achieving, a sense of self-worth
  • Freedom – to be independent, to have your own space, autonomy
  • Fun – to laugh, to experience enjoyment and a sense of pleasure

One of the most important things here is to be grateful for where we are and what we have. Indeed, Gratitude is the first thing we need to practice to turn a negative lifestyle into one of positivity. 

Whatever your joys and delights are in life (and we can all be different ) it is important that we ensure our basic needs are met. Once we have achieved those and made any necessary changes, the door is open to welcome the joy and happiness that is there for us every day.