I keep coming back to Joy.
Whenever I think about some of the big and large and small problems in my life or the world, I keep coming back to Joy. Not that feeling, creating, or finding Joy in and of itself will solve the big and large and small problems--sometimes it can--but that Joy is how we get through and stay resilient while the big and large and small problems are happening.
It can be so easy to dismiss the importance of Joy and to say, "Things are bad--I'll save Joy for later when Things are good."
But that's wrong.
You need Joy especially and most of all when things are bad. Do not save Joy for later. Do not tell yourself you don't deserve Joy. You absolutely do deserve to feel, find, and create Joy. Joy is not limited, it's not a finite resource. It is abundant and Joy begets more Joy. If you feel, find, or create Joy, you are not taking it from anyone else. You are creating more possibility for others to feel, find, and create Joy too. Joy is expansive. The more Joy that you feel, find, and create, the easier it is for others around you to feel, find, and create Joy.
We must take care of ourselves to take care of our families, our communities, and our world.
Years ago, I read a book by Thich Nhat Hahn, the Nobel Prize nominated Buddhist monk from Vietnam. He shared a meditation practice that began with getting centered in and loving ourselves before shifting to taking care of our family, communities, and the world.
When I first read that, it was confusing. It seemed like I had to take care of the world before I could take care of myself. But the truth--as you probably know--is that you can't take care of the world if you are not taking care of yourself. You might be able to do some things to help the world, but you will burn out and be left exhausted, quickly. Joy is how you take care of yourself
"The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive you will see it."--Thich Nhat Hanh
So I invite you to pause for a moment and breathe deep twice in through your nose and out through your mouth. And then look around. Look for a detail that brings you joy.
It's there. I promise.