JOYFUL! JOYFUL!

Our core self is pure joy. Joy is a profound, long-lasting emotion of intense pleasure, happiness, and contentment stemming from feelings of well-being, success, or deep satisfaction. It is different from fleeting moments of happiness and brings a deeper, more consistent state of being. Joy is frequently tied to feelings of gratitude and living from a sense of purpose.

“People don’t understand that joy is the most vulnerable emotion that we experience. Far more vulnerable than fear or shame. We’re terrified of joy because when we let ourselves feel joy we’re so afraid that we’re going to get sucker-punched by pain. And so, what we do when something joyful comes along is we diminish joy and mentally turn on a dress rehearsal of tragedy. I think people are turning towards cynicism and pessimism because it’s safe. To hold onto joy and love and hope in these moments, that’s courage.” Brene Brown

In spite of what is on the local news or the current state of global chaos, no matter what personal burdens you may be carrying, I want to remind you that there are ways that you can find joy in daily living. Find those things that bring you joy. Sitting out on my back deck and looking at the tulips blooming in my yard or watching the birds pecking at the bird food in the feeder brings me joy. Or I find joy in listening to a certain playlist of my favorite songs, doing yoga and breath work regularly, attending my 2-hour water color class every week or playing pickleball etc. When I include what brings me joy into my everyday focus or weekly practices I feel a sustained sense of joy. 

Pause during the day to remind your heart and body what true joy and gratitude feel like. Tapping into moments of joy can help you find a pause from everyday stresses and interrupts the emotional dysregulation that stress and worry generate. Let’s move away from the need to cling to negativity, or complaining, or hanging out in apathy and cynicism and find the courage to elevate our moods and our thinking by seeking joy. 

Really look around and see what there is to celebrate and be joyful about! You will see that there is so much beauty and color in the world, so much that is magical and worth being noticed! I have noticed the most glorious flowers and trees blooming this season and each one shares with me such wonderful colors. What you focus on grows. This spring focus on JOY and you will get more of it!

May we all have the courage to continue to seek hope and joy in our everyday living!

Blessings!

Pam