Finding Joy Even When Things Don’t Look “Normal”
Are you able to find joy right now in this different type of life we are living in?
First I want you to know, each week as I write my articles, it seems by the time you read them, I have moved forward on whatever issue it may be, that I share with you.
As a result of writing each week, I am processing, and putting it out into the Universe.
Therefore, I am moving forward through whatever I may be having an issue with.
Does this make sense?
Because I don’t hold it all inside, and fret about it for very long, I believe I find a way to leave it behind me. Such as last week’s article about Fear vs Faith and for me, impatience.
I wrote it at the beginning of the week and by the time I sent it out per email, my impatience was replaced with faith.
This brings me joy!
Furthermore, my sadness about not being able to fly to be with my parents for Thanksgiving and Christmas, was replaced by my conscious healthy thoughts. Then I was able to find some joy.
I organized a family Zoom Thanksgiving call with my parents and siblings and any other family members who could join us. We will do the same on Christmas.
Another bonus during Thanksgiving weekend, was being here when Hale’s son drove in from Columbus, Ohio, and spent the weekend here with us and our older grandkids, his children.
As a result of me being here, we had great food Hale and I prepared, we played card and dice games, and took a fun walk at a beautiful place on a 52-degree November day. I felt joy during and after we all put up our Christmas tree and decorations, as we created memories. (Below are some photos of our weekend)
The Thanksgiving dinner I made for the first time, was delicious! I have been with my parents and family all my life, until this year. My stuffing I made was especially yummy! Ask me and I’ll share my recipe.
COVID-19 has changed many things for all of us for the last 9 months.
For me finding joy, is about breaking things in my days down to manageable things or steps.
I tend to think too much and then my mind goes into a direction that does not feel particularly good. Can you do that as well?
Above all, when you shift your thoughts and mindset to other healthier things, there lies your solutions.
I am not saying don’t feel your sadness or disappointment, I’m saying feel it all and then move to the other side to find some joy.
Finding appreciation, as I’ve shared with you many times, helps and may lead to joy.
Spend just a few minutes writing a list of everything you appreciate. As I’ve told you many times, doing this truly shifts your emotions.
As I usually do when I’m writing my weekly articles, I like to see what others out in the world have to say about my topic.
I’ll include the link below for you to read the rest of the article, only here is a piece of it:
“I believe we should first allow ourselves grace while understanding the grief that comes along with living in the midst of a pandemic,” says Brittney R. Cobb, MSW, LCSW, founder of Be Well Mental Health & Consulting Services. “Grief is associated with loss. We have lost the ability to physically connect; some have lost employment and loved ones. Taking a moment to acknowledge this is important. There is also a great deal of pressure to be productive with ‘free time.’ It’s okay if you aren’t. It’s okay to rest and take it one day at a time.”
Sarah Yang, the author of this piece, also shares 25 strategies for finding joy even when it’s hard. I encourage you to click on the link and read all 25 of them!
In conclusion, we all must find the things that bring us joy and do them often! Not only during this pandemic, but always.
Send me your thoughts about how you’re doing and what you are doing that brings you joy. I’d love to hear from you!
With love and joy,
Connie
PS. Here’s a link on my website that may explain why I consciously think about living in joy:
https://conniehertz.com/living-joyfully-passing/
Leave a Reply