Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Joy hides. I spent years not understanding this. I always thought joy would be in the future, when I would reach milestone achievements, or just the weekend! I thought joy was in the past, with nostalgic feelings from days gone by. I thought joy was having time off, but then I’d find myself antsy and guilty about not being “productive.” I thought joy was in my career, but then I’d find myself disappointed with so much. I thought joy was in a relationship – does that even need an explanation?
Joy is deep contentment. It’s a settled feeling. It’s a comfort that disassociates with condition. It’s an ease in the body. It befriends what is, right now, no matter what it looks like. It’s a hum of peace that’s always there, in the inner body, anchoring you to the present moment.
The root of joy begins with a healthy, vibrant, and strong body. If the body is ailing, it throws off the primary structures of joy. There is joy in being alone, with a clear mind (no thinking or distraction). There is joy in silence. There is joy in just being yourself. There is joy in detaching from outcome. There is joy in knowing where you come from. There is joy in producing playfully, not obsessing in the perfection of the product. There is joy in communing with nature. There is joy in gratitude. There is joy in being OK with yourself and how your life is unfolding. There is joy in being with others. If none of these things seems joyful, you’ll never find it in any other way. I’ve tried already. Look again for where joy might be hiding – it’s not going to be in weight-loss, money, a new car, a diploma, or a marriage. Joy is now, never in the places that the world thinks it resides.