Why Joy is Important…… Especially Now

I am sitting outside on a beautiful fall day. The sounds of the city are muffled by the soothing  splashing of a water fountain nearby. Church spires and sky scrapers reach for the sky. A sky that is that clear, deep blue that  happen on a breezy day in October. My heart fills with joy as I breathe in deeply. I love autumn. The colours, the smells and the cool, crisp air are  invigorating to me.

As I sit with my joy, I wonder, is it okay for me to be so happy when so many others in this world are suffering? Does the fact that I am happy mean I don’t care?

Mass shootings, hurricanes, flooding, and the sudden death of a musical legend are in the news. How do I pay attention with compassion and still experience joy in my life?

I am learning that it takes courage for me to feel joy deeply without a sense of shame or anxiety.

I find myself worrying ‘What if this joy doesn’t last?’ Maybe I am naive when I drop into joy. I am not a child anymore. Is it even responsible to be euphoric and lighthearted? Grow up and be serious! Tragedy and disappointment may strike soon!

Shame shows up when I see myself as unworthy of of being happy. I wonder if I have ‘earned the right’ to be joyful. Tied in with this is the guilt that I am selfish to be happy while others’ suffer.

Here is what I am realizing.

When I hold back from joy I am of no use to anyone.

In fact, the opposite is true.

My experience of joy matters because joy matters.

[pullquote width=”300″ float=”right”] My experience of joy matters because joy matters. [/pullquote]

In her book, ‘Braving the Wilderness’, Brene Brown states that the attributes of love, belonging and joy bringing meaning to life. She goes on to say that we can’t give people what we don’t have.

Here are her words: ‘When we surrender our own joy to make those in pain feel less alone or to make ourselves seem more committed, we deplete ourselves of what it takes to feel fully alive and fueled by purpose.’ (‘Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown, Random House, New York, 2017, page 156)

My purpose in life is to be a conduit of love and joy for the people in my world.

Here are some ways I am practicing this in the midst of messiness.

• I am devoted to being grateful for what I have and I focus on that daily
• I lean into simple joys and savour the good. My friend and colleague, Tanis Frame at Decide to Thrive, declared this week that she is ‘Doubling down on her resolve to be a catalyst for love and thriving in this world’. At this time, for her, this meant making apple crisp with her daughters!
• I notice my rage, my sorrow and my sense of despair. And, I move through the emotions and get back to work. Casey Erin Wood is an inspiration to me. She is a writer, coach and founder of the Ruby Slipper School of Magic (isn’t that an awesome name?!) She posted today: ‘We need your light, your brilliance now more than ever. Speak up, use your voice, create- share your light and love any way you can.’ So here I am, writing my blog post for this week.
• I am aware of what is happening and I guard my energy as I choose how often I watch the news or read all the details. I am open to what I can do to support those in need, and I choose not to deny the joy in my life.

I am curious what you are devoted to at this time in our history. What practices sustain you in the midst of tragedy? How are you navigating the messiness of life and experiencing joy?

[disclaim]Please let share below what is happening for you. I am supported and encouraged by others’ ideas and I know that as you take the courage to share, you will inspire others. Thank you![/disclaim]