Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Loving ways to feel more joyous!



Ready for joy
Charcoal on bond paper
12 x 14 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010
(This drawing was in preparation for
a painting in the same pose.
I really like the drawing. The young
woman is doing the Whoop exercise. )

Looking through my posts from past years I found a piece on
Mike Dooley from Tut.com 's 
Whoop exercise.  I used to teach
this to my students in Positive Psych and it is a powerful exercise. 
I'd forgotten all about it. What could have made me forget a joyous
exercise? Don't do it in public, because it won't really work with a mask
on, and I'm hoping you're wearing a mask around other people to stay safe. 
A friend's son (30ish) has got COVID-19, and is quite sick, so it's not over.

Here's the exercise.  I just tried it in the kitchen, and it does make
you feel fantastic:

Stand up (if you can), put your arms in the air, whoop
like you just had the best news in your whole life,
cover your face because you're so excited you can't
hold your joy in, whoop again with your hands over
your head, put your hands on your chest, shake your
head because you're so astounded with joy, and say
out loud, "You won't believe what's happened." 
As I said I learned this from Mike Dooley at Tut.com 
and it is amazing what happens if you try this little
exercise once every so often.  Huge things happen,
wonderful things happen -- that's why I'm sharing it
with you.  (I got on the Oprah Winfrey show, invited
to show in Florence and in Paris!) My life has absolutely
taken off into a level of joy I couldn't have imagined since
I learned to do this.  No.  I'm not crazy, I'm the sanest person you
know.  And no my life isn't perfect.  People in my
family and intimate circle have serious health issues,
I do experience deep sorrow and loss, and even so...
Give it a try.

Life is very good in the present, despite the nasty virus always 
looming.  One of the things we do to cheer ourselves up is to
talk about all of the wonderful things we've done and seen.
Believe me I feel like whooping when I think of
the super life I have with Steven.

Have a feeling the joy day.

6 comments:

Jennifer Rose said...

i wouldnt worry about doing this with a mask on, do this in public and people might run away scared lol

verna vogel said...

This is great, Barbara! I always love reading your blog, so thank you.

xoxoxox
V

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Jennifer Rose,

I actually did it outside unmasked across the street from a very nervous
neighbour, and said try it. She did look at me as if I might be insane.
Have we really gotten to this point -- that happiness is insane. I hope not.
Stay safe. I love your work.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Verna,

It is great. When I tried it yesterday the result was my husband deciding
after a long, exhausting day at work to go for a short ride to see the sunset.
And Wow! Was that every worth it. We were so happy all night. A bit of a miracle.

Love your work.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Jennifer Rose said...

i dont think its the happiness part people find a bit out there, i think its because it not what most people do and if any one expresses like this its sadly looked down on. hell i cant sing without people thinking its odd and its not my voice lol

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Jennifer Rose,

This thing will be over some day, and I will hear you sing. Ultimately it might be
the feeling of incredible joy that gets people down. Please sing, and try the exercise. I've had two fabulous days since I remembered it. LOL. Count em. 2!

Love your work.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!