Instant Joy Exercises, by Laurie Martin

Laurie Martin is a Professional Life/Business Coach from Naples, Florida. She is featured on Carolyn Cooper's "Energy Therapy" CD and is also an author, speaker and yoga instructor.

1. It is so easy to focus on the negative in others, try to think about one nice quality about everyone you come into contact with each day, including yourself. Revel in someone else's light.

2. Make a list of all the things you love in your life (even the things you may take for granted - your health, your independence, your GROWTH, your inner peace, your carpet, the way someone spontaneously visits you with a cup of coffee and a smile). Speak about those things all day long. Read your list out loud, to friends, family, and neighbors. Notice how you feel at the end of the day. Begin to catch yourself when you're complaining or focusing on the things that irritate you over and over again. Notice if you repeat the same "stories" about your past, a family member, boss, or co-worker.

Notice how your body feels while you're telling these stories. Do you have tightness in the chest? Are you breathing into your belly? Is your jaw tight? How does the energy feel you're creating? Are others tired of hearing your story? Then ask yourself if it's time to put these stories down and let them go? How are you going to do that? Maybe stop living in the past? Maybe stop blaming someone else for your feelings? What did you expect of others that you deserve and you didn't get it? Be aware of your expectations; we can't control others, and when we put our agenda onto someone else we may become disappointed. No one "owes" us anything. See if you can make peace within your heart with those things.

3. Make a list of all the things you like about yourself. Read the list out loud and allow yourself to feel the energy. If you were single, would you date someone with those characteristics?

For more great "Joy Exercises" visit Laurie's website at http://www.smileacrossyourheart.com/
You can visit Carolyn Cooper's website at: http://www.calycohealing.com/