Surprise Joy

Sometimes I slip into the abyss... Or perhaps that's not entirely accurate because I don't want to give the impression of being despairing and lost. But I can get caught up in all that life throws at me. I'm just wading as best I can. I'm keeping up with work commitments, home commitments, and finding space to keep in touch with those I love. In all of that, it can be so easy to forget about joy, about the pursuit of joy.

Joy still finds me in these times. I attribute that in part to the fact that I've made such a practice of seeking joy consistently. So I find that even when I am not consciously in the practice, I still reap the rewards. And it is always pleasant when a moment of unexpected joy hits me.

This past weekend, I met up with friends for a quick day trip. It wasn't anything elaborate - just a few hours together, some conversation, some laughter. But in that time, I realized how much joy had snuck up on me. I hadn't been actively pursuing it. It simply appeared because I'd built those pathways during calmer times.

That's what a regular joy practice does. It creates momentum that carries you even when you're too busy or tired to think about it. Joy always knows how to find you because you've trained yourself to recognize it.

If you're in one of those wading-through-life phases right now, don't add pressure to actively pursue joy. Just keep doing the small things. Take five minutes for intentional breathing. Notice one thing you're grateful for. Send a quick text to someone you love. These tiny practices will serve you well, especially when you need them most.