Oh Joy! The Emotion of Summer

Meet Lloyd the Husky. I adopted Lloyd in October. He has come out of his shell recently, and is quite content and silly. The fact that he often sleeps on his back with his legs in the air shows me that he feels secure and relaxed with me. That brings me so much joy and comfort to know that I have provided that safe place for a dog that was given up on, and left behind by an owner he loved and trusted. I am happy he has been able to trust a human again.

Joy is a powerful and positive emotion that brings about a sense of happiness, delight, and contentment. It is often characterized by an intense feeling of pleasure and fulfillment, accompanied by a sense of inner satisfaction and well-being. Joy can arise from various sources, such as achieving a personal goal, spending time with loved ones, engaging in meaningful activities, or experiencing moments of beauty and awe. It is a deeply felt emotion that can uplift spirits, enhance resilience, and contribute to overall positive mental and emotional well-being.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, joy is one of the seven emotions that play a crucial role in maintaining health and balance within the body. According to TCM, emotions are an integral part of human health, and imbalances in emotions can affect the flow of qi (vital energy) and disrupt the harmonious functioning of organs.

In TCM, joy is associated with the heart organ and is considered a positive and nourishing emotion when experienced in moderation. It is believed to promote the smooth flow of qi, enhance mental clarity, and contribute to overall well-being.

Summer is the season of the heart, the season of joy, and is represented by the element of fire. Emotionally, this fire element is associated with the mind and its stability. The heart is the “seat” of the mind and therefore, its highest expression is love. Enthusiasm, warmth in human relationships and conscious awareness. However, excessive or prolonged joy can have a negative impact on the heart and disrupt the balance of other organs. TCM views extreme joy as potentially depleting the heart's energy, leading to symptoms such as palpitations, restlessness, insomnia, or even mania.

Maintaining emotional balance is considered essential in TCM, and practices such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle modifications are used to restore harmony and address any imbalances in the body's energies caused by excessive or deficient emotions, including joy.

I would love to hear what brings you joy and contentment. If you are feeling out of balance you know who to call!