Aspark of joy

8 cups vegetable or chicken broth

2 cups red lentils, washed

1 540mL can diced tomatoes

2 carrots, sliced

2 stalks celery, sliced

3 cups fresh spinach

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

In a Dutch oven heat the oil; add the onions and cook stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the spices and cook for another minute. Add the broth, lentils, tomatoes, carrots and celery and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 40-45 minutes or until lentils are tender but not mushy. Stir in the spinach and cook for five minutes until spinach is wilted. Just before serving stir in the cilantro.

Icannot tell by the weather if we are approaching, first spring, false spring or fourth winter but I do know that we are approaching the point in my household cleaning routine where I realize I have way too much stuff for my tiny space and purge, purge, purge. You know the feeling of a good purge of your house, it’s cleansing, comforting and makes you feel like you have more mental space as well as physical space. This good feeling of getting rid of clutter is no joke and studies show that living in a physically cluttered environment can contribute to feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. When I think of my favourite way to de-clutter, my mind goes to Marie Kondo’s books “The Lifechanging Magic of Tidying Up” and sequel, “Spark Joy”. In it she suggests an intentional, mindful evaluation of each item in your home. You are invited to mindfully hold said object, connect with it fully, assess if you feel any joy from this item and if you don’t feel joy from the item, that item is discarded. This is a dreadfully short and broad summation of her tidying concepts and I truly recommend her books if you want to know more. Sparking joy. I really appreciate the idea of mindfully connecting to something in your life to determine if it’s existence in your life brings you joy. We often don’t connect our head with our feelings and tidying up is no exception. I think of Sparking Joy when I think of evaluating the quadrants of our mental well being that

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Delsie Martin

when fulfilled, help us to be the very best version of ourselves that we can be. Looking at the mental quadrant, I would want to see if I am doing anything mentally stimulating to fill that need (ex: taking a university class or reading a book). Next to the physical quadrant, am I doing enough to nourish my physical health (ex: go for a walk, eat healthy, have a doctors check up).

The emotional quadrant follows with the question of how I am meeting my emotional needs (ex: seeing a therapist, journaling, talking to a trusted friend) and finally, the question of what I need to do to meet my spiritual needs (ex: church, walking mindfully in nature, quiet reflection). When I look at things to add or do more of in each quadrant, I want to be mindful of choosing activities that spark joy within me. If I have something going on in my life that isn’t sparking joy and isn’t essential, maybe I could look at negotiating a different relationship with that activity. I think that taking the literal version of Kondo’s discard anything that doesn’t bring you joy in mental well being is too ridged. Sometimes we have to do things that don’t bring us joy, this is the joy of being human BUT, it also is a kindness to yourself to evaluate the number of “have to’s” in your life and ensure that you have enough things in your quadrants that spark joy in your soul.

Delsie Martin (BA, BSW RSW, MSW candidate) is a masters of social work student with the University of Calgary. Anyone who may have feedback on the column or wish to have a question anonymously answered as part of the weekly column may reach Martin at delsiemartin@trueyoutherapy. ca. Martin’s podcast, The Relationship Review, can be found on Apple, Amazon, Google and Spotify podcast platforms.