Joy. Such a little word, with so much impact. I believe we should seek out, or create, Joy whenever possible, and that settling for momentary pleasures instead of cultivating true moments of Joy is shortchanging ourselves.
Years ago I realized that focusing on negatives didn’t change them, it just brought me down. I was a single mom working a full-time job and caring for aging, ailing parents. I had enough stress; I didn’t need to create more. The only thing I could change in that situation was the way I thought, so I taught myself to look for feelings of joy throughout my day. It was really about being grateful for being alive, and finding joy in living.
Like many things in life, it takes practice to become a skill you’re good at. Sometimes I forget the habit and have to remind myself to seek joy, but I’ve found it’s totally worth the effort. So I’ve cultivated a short list of things I can turn to when I need a boost, a way to create a moment of Joy on purpose.
5 things that bring me joy
1. My dog Emma
I adore her. One of my favorite things is waking up to all four of her paws in the air while she sleeps next to me, I have the hardest time keeping my giggles under control so I don’t wake her. My camera roll is full of pictures of her just like that.
2. Music
I keep several playlists on Spotify filled with music that brings me Joy. A Somatic Music Progression is one that gives me snotty tears of Joy, and another called Touching Heavens gives me the shivers every time.
3. Nature
When I walk Emma in the morning, I always stop to look out across the valley that is Colorado Springs. My whole mood has improved since we moved here, I can see a sliver of the mountain range from our livingroom. Seeing the trees and the mountains is an amazing reminder of the longevity of our planet.
4. Bubble baths
I find water to be really calming. A long soak with bubbles and mood lighting brings me both peace and joy when I take the time to slow down and enjoy it.
5. Icy desserts
A Slurpee, Italian custard with Italian ice, Häagen-Dazs or Ben & Jerry’s. I find joy in that, I supsect because I was born in Hawaii and the dessert of the state is Hawaiian Ice.
The known is a prison.
It is the unknown that is the
field of pure potentiality.
– Deepak Chopra
If you feel trapped within the rigid bonds of stress, disappointment, dissatisfaction or unhappiness, you may be missing opportunities to experience change, growth and the Joy that is such a beautiful part of the process of living. I know what it’s like to struggle with depression, and how hard it can be to dig out, so this isn’t about pretending those feelings away. But I’ve also learned that a choice, even a tiny one, can open a door. As you weave the practice into your days, you can begin to free yourself and open up to new ideas, situations and feelings. You may need to listen carefully, but your inner wisdom is speaking to you.
If you’d like to read more, Dr. Stephanie Collier at Harvard Health writes about how to find joy, or at least peace, during difficult times, including how to tell when a loss of joy may be something more, like depression. And clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Pearce makes a lovely case for the healing power of joy, laughter and play.