How to Stay Joyful

Fun Nuns

What a profound psychological paradox - chasing "happiness." The more we chase, the further it retreats. You know who has it figured out? Nuns.

I lived a few houses down from a nunnery (the house they lived in across from the local catholic church). I worked at the local grocery store and interacted often with those nuns. I was fascinated. They were genuinely joyful, and I paid close attention.

We can develop a cloister mindset by incorporating some of their habits into our lives.

1. Calm the Noise.

   Give your nervous system a break from the fight-or-flight feeling from the noise (news, social media, television, etc.). Calm yourself from that worldly rush. It's neurological hygiene. Nuns call it a Silence of the Heart.

   
   

2. Eliminate Decision Fatigue.

   Most of our stress nowdays comes from having too many choices, and decision fatigue is real. Nuns bypass this by creating a daily fixed rhythm. They know exactly where they need to be and what they need to be doing. It's called the Power of the Horarium (Latin for "the hours"). This creates a flow state that lasts a lifetime.

3. Connection and Community

   Loneliness is one of the greatest causes of unhappiness. Nuns live in a "vertical" relationship (with the divine) and a "horizontal" relationship (with their sisters). There is a psychological safety in knowing you are never truly alone in your struggles or your triumphs. Sharing your life with others is healthy.

4. Take Less, Give More.

   The world finds happiness in acquisition, which provides short doses of fulfillment. Acquire more, Feel fulfilled for a short period of time; Acquire more, Feel fulfilled for a short period of time-on and on. Acts of altruism provide a steady, renewable source of fulfillment and release oxytocin and dopamine, creating longtime fulfillment.

5. Grounding.

   Nuns treat work as prayer-there is mindfulness in the mundane, and it creates grounding. Focus on your work, your chores, your daily life, and do it with intention and purpose. Not rushing through daily tasks but taking your time and eliminate anxiety.

Worldly happiness is often conditional, while the joy I see in these women is foundational

Happiness is a narrow stall; Joy is a wide field.

NOURISHING RECIPES FOR JOYFUL EATING

Recipes to nourish and comfort yourself begin with an awareness of how your body responds to the food you eat and what brings you joy and satisfaction.

Cowgirl Stew

Easy ingredients, fresh ground beef, and you can use any combination of

fresh/canned/frozen veggies and/or meats/chicken/pork/vegetarian that you'd like

Ingredients

2 lb ground beef

1 onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

1/2 teaspo garlic powder

3 Tbsp chili powder

1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, any variety

3 c water

salt and pepper to taste

16 ounce package frozen corn

1 can chili style beans (ranch style beans, if available,

undrained)

4 potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1-inch cubes

Directions

STEP 1

Brown beef and onion in large covered pot, using nonstick cooking spray, if needed.

STEP 2

Add remaining ingredients, cover and bring to a boil.

STEP 3

Reduce heat and simmer for about an hour, or until potatoes are tender.

Serves 10