go find your joy

Last week, sitting in a circle of wise women with tear-stained cheeks, we wondered about joy and its place in relation to our collective overwhelm and personal heartbreak.

How do we experience it, claim it, and is it even okay to feel in the midst of immense fear and suffering?

I believe joy is who we are.

I believe it’s essential to our health and well-being.

“Comparison is the thief of joy”, said Teddy Roosevelt. When we worry about what others are doing, we get distracted and may even feel worthless. It’s always helpful to put your head down, look deeply, and get to work.

How can we create the conditions to make joy more accessible in our lives?

When we feel it, others benefit too because joy is contagious.

Joy comes from within.

It’s not passive.

Joy is generated, activated, cultivated.

Angels do not bless us with joy.

They bless us with opportunities to experience joy.

And often in the midst of sorrow.

These angels long for us to feel joyful.

Even when we’re swimming in despair.

Especially when we’re swimming in despair.

It’s up to us to pay attention to joy.

The world is hungry for our joy.

The heavens are too.

When we celebrate, the universe dances.

Joy is an invitation.

We just have to open up the envelope and say yes.