Finding Joy in Everyday Living

In these times, many of us battle with stress, anxiety, depression, and other feelings of hopelessness. It can be hard to find even the smallest ray of hope with so much uncertainty. I’ve found that dedicating life to mindfulness, and practicing self care regularly makes all the difference.

Self care is unique to you and your needs. You may engage in deep breathing practices, yoga, eating your favorite meal, a long phone call with a loved one, going to bed early, etc.

What we also sometimes forget is to remind ourselves we are so deserving of moments of joy when they come. Even if they may not last long. Even if someone else is having a tougher time. We must remember that our moments of joy will build us up to bring joy to others.

Don’t be so preoccupied preparing for a rainy day that you forget to enjoy the sunny ones, too. There is such a thing as being cautious to a fault. So risk-averse that we even feel a guilt about any small amount of present joy because we were taught only to prepare for the future.

Think of your present enjoyment as a down payment on a future joy that is to come, rather than becoming so accustomed to present misery that when joy comes you do not trust it.

Even though I find myself in a difficult season, I am taking great pleasure in the stories I am hearing from loved ones—things we prayed together on in the past, and other things they whispered from their hearts straight to God. They are finally coming to fruition.

When a little sun does come and pierce through the clouds, I am exercising my practice of mindfulness to notice it, celebrate it, and bask in its warmth. ❤️✨