We’re so excited to present our limited edition kikki.K designed version of Agapi Stassinopoulos ‘Wake up to the Joy of You’. With the warmth and wisdom she has garnered from a lifetime of spiritual seeking, inspirational force Agapi guides you through 52 weeks of letting go of what doesn’t work for you and finding what does. We caught up with Agapi to find out a little more about this wonderful book.
Can you tell us a little about the journey that led to you writing Wake Up To The Joy Of You?
In my previous book Unbinding The Heart, I tell my story and life experiences and about how I found my calling, my voice and how I opened my heart. As I was travelling on the road speaking, I encountered thousands of people who kept asking me the same questions: “How can I be more fulfilled? How Can I learn to manifest what I want? How can I move away from disappointment? etc, etc..”
In these life questions, I realised that we all have the same issues and challenges. I thought it was very important to share, specifically with people, on how I learned to overcome my challenges, and how I found answers and solutions to different situations in my life. That’s why I wrote 52 chapters and made it very practical. I broke it down into action steps that people can actually do everyday and start to improve the quality of their lives to find their fulfilment!
The book features 52 chapters, why was it important to you for the book to cover a year of discovery?
I think if we focus on specific issues for every week, it is more manageable. It’s easier to navigate to help find resolution and shift from anxiety to calmness.
What are some simple steps people can take right now to embrace more joy in their lives?
As I mentioned in chapter 43 Awaken Your Joy in Wake Up To the Joy Of You, “In order to get back to my joy, I ask myself, ‘What’s preoccupying me? What’s making my heart unhappy? What are my concerns? What feelings do I need to address and let out to experience joy: is it sadness, anger, disappointment, fears, hurt feelings?’ You can’t just choose to feel joy. You need to express those feelings first. If I numb myself to negative feelings, I’ll numb myself to joy.” (p. 237)
I think it is imperative that we do not judge our feelings when they surface but instead give permission to ourselves to express all of the emotions. The joy will show up! Joy is inherited in our spirit and in our soul, but, in our human condition we have so many other emotions and our joy can get clouded. It’s important that we take time, every day, to call forward our soul and spirit and remind ourselves of who we truly are.
What are some morning rituals that you love?
I always start with my day with my cappuccino (aha!). When I wake up in the morning, I always look forward to my morning coffee and glass of water. I then take a few moments to focus on the power of my breath, which basically gives us life, and then focus on gratitude. I send an intention for the day, to stay connected and to not stuff my emotions and feelings, and to keep bringing a presence of joy and do the things that bring me joy! So, basically, not to overwhelm myself with all the things that need to get done but more on the things and quality that I want my day to have.
What stationery piece can you not live without?
My notebook! I am a big believer in writing things down, instead of putting it in my computer. Even though it may be countless notes, I am able to jot everything that is on my mind.