Spontaneous Joy!
Welcome to the Tales side of the Arty’s Tricks & Tales blog. Join us as we emBARK on adventures with Arty :)
Now there’s a thought . . .
Spontaneous joy offers unexpected benefits that are essential for good mental health. It can uplift your mood, break up daily routines, and banish boredom—much like Arty banishes the wild turkeys from his yard! This kind of joy causes us to step away from the ledge of overthinking and stress, ignites creativity, and often creates lasting memories. In today's stressful and chaotic world, these moments of relief are truly a precious gift.
Mr. Smarty Arty
In helping you discover these "unexpected gifts," Arty has earned a new moniker: Mr. Smarty Arty. His wisdom, which keeps his tail wagging through thick and thin, is summarized in his philosophy which he wants to share: There is Power in the Paws! (Power in the Pause).
It's easy to get lost in distractions and miss simple joys. Take sprinklers for instance. They can offer a wonderful distraction, but only if you try it! Follow Arty's lead and Pause to be Present. Don't worry about getting your hair wet or messing it up. You might find that the fun makes you forget all about it. Or grab a friend, whether canine or human, and go for a walk. As we soak in the present, we build up reserves for those times we need more energy and resilience.
Simple pleasures can bring immense joy! Enjoy a little gelato! Give a big "I love you" hug to someone you care about. Jump in some leaves! Crack a smile even if you’re frustrated and it can interrupt a negative thought. Pause to be Grateful in these moments. This won’t eliminate the problems in life, they will still be there after a few passes through the sprinkler, but you will feel better. Gratitude has a way of kick-starting the path to a healthy perspective in the midst of troubles.
These spontaneous diversions can help build a reserve of positive emotions within us. This gives us the energy to move forward with confidence, not by avoiding suffering, but by developing the ability to navigate difficult circumstances while maintaining a positive outlook. When we Pause to smile, Pause to challenge ourselves by learning something new, or Pause to spend time with a loved one who may be grieving, we are making an important choice to invest in our emotional and mental health. How? By reaching beyond ourselves and connecting with others, we gain a new perspective. We can serve others and in that, we find community.
Our canine friends can help us find joy in the simple and help us to stay present. It's no surprise there are over 500,000 therapy dogs are in the U.S.! Their impact goes beyond companionship, offering immense physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Studies show that just minutes with a dog—even if not your own—drops stress hormone (cortisol) levels, lowers heart rate, and boosts oxytocin, the feel-good bonding hormone, for both humans and dogs. It’s a win-win!
(Please note: becoming a certified therapy dog does take extra training, but anyone who owns or has owned a dog knows the power of their love!)
WHAT’S NEXT?
Perhaps Arty is on to something here ~ If his philosophy of the Power in the Pause – that important moment of stopping to genuinely enjoy where you are — proves true, this can help replenish our spirits and cultivate gratitude at the same time. Definitely sounds like a recipe for better mental and physical well-being. By adjusting our outlook a little to the Paw-sitive side of life and truly appreciating these moments, we open ourselves to the joys of unexpected gifts of presence and gratitude.
