joy and well-being

Focus

Joy is one of the major themes of the holiday season in my faith tradition.  Two simple questions that my wife and I ask each other and our son’s are:

- Where are you experiencing joy?

- Where are you experiencing the absence of joy?

Most of the moments that bring me joy have to do with being grateful for others who have touched my life.  There’s my friend Jeff who is always willing and ready to have a deep discussion with me about anything and everything.  This relationship helps me to cultivate well-being in my life.  He’s a type of mentor-friend who values me beyond my roles.  

There’s also going out for a long bike ride.  Being out in nature, expending energy, revives my soul.  

And then there are moments that are joy busters.  

- A decision I made that was hard and I am wondering if I should have spent more time thinking it through…regret.  
- Spending too much time scrolling through Tik Tok videos (I’ve recently taken a break from social media scrolling)...wasting time and energy.  
- Overextending myself to the point where I don’t have those moments of silence to listen and slow down.  I become someone that is irritable, reactive, and anxious.  

You don’t struggle with these things.  You’ve figured it out.  ;) 

Joy seems to be a by-product of cultivating a life of well-being.  When crisis and hard circumstances hit, the person who has been cultivating well-being seems to be prepared.  They’re looking for ways to overcome, staying resilient and hopeful. Joy is also connected to having a deeper spiritual life and well-being.  And in a world that feels anxious and lacking direction, we need to hear the call to cultivate well-being and name the moments where joy is happening.  

Key Points

1) Joy is an outcome of cultivating well-being in our lives

2)  Joy involves a life of gratitude

3) Joy can be cultivated or busted

Reflect

- Where are you experiencing joy?

- Where are you experiencing the absence of joy?

- How you’re cultivating well-being in your own life?