Finding Joy

Sometimes you have to check in with yourself and simply ask “Am I happy?”

What brings you the most joy in your life? Choose to live around that, whatever it is, for as long as you possibly can. And if you aren’t sure, don’t worry.

Take a breather. Try to meditate and clear your head. Imagine yourself in the lotus position with your back straight, eyes closed, and palms together. Let a quiet sense of peace wash over you as you breathe deeply in through your nose and out through your mouth. Perhaps you find joy in the stillness.

When you open your eyes again, do you find yourself smiling and feeling that — even for a fleeting moment — everything is in place? Give yourself completely to that feeling and let joy emanate from within you.

And if you still aren’t sure what brings you joy, change the scene. Call a friend. Go for a walk. Jump in the ocean until the incessant thoughts float away and you just feel joy. Sometimes nature is the best remedy when you find yourself in a rut; you can let it heal you.

“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it. […] Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid of it. Joy is not made to be a crumb.”

-Mary Oliver

There are plenty of ways to find joy in life, even in our darkest hour. In any given moment you can always make your way back to it. As the late Mary Oliver said, joy is not made to be a crumb. There is an abundance of joy in the world; enough to feed us all, if we allow ourselves to find it.