How do we find joy?
“We were made to enjoy music, to enjoy beautiful sunsets, to enjoy looking at the billows of the sea and to be thrilled with a rose that is bedecked with dew… Human beings are actually created for the transcendent, for the sublime, for the beautiful, for the truthful... and all of us are given the task of trying to make this world a little more hospitable to these beautiful things.”
― Desmond Tutu
In my last newsletter, I shared a story about a new client, and our quest to answer the question: "What brings you joy?" Little did I know that this simple question would spark a series of delightful conversations throughout the week.
As I explored the idea of joy with clients and followers alike, we found ourselves diving deeper into the concept of joy, leading to many more questions to explore. What is joy? How do we find joy? How do we create more joy? More specifically, what does it mean to experience joy? Is it a fleeting moment of pleasure, or is it something more profound, something that touches the very essence of our being?
With each enlightening and interesting exchange, there was laughter, "aha's," and a deeper sense of connection. Just exploring what joy means was a heartening and joyful experience.
Reflecting on these conversations left me with more thoughts on the idea of joy. I realized that joy is something we can cultivate, and what brings joy is very unique to the individual. By exploring where and when we experience joy in our lives, we can notice areas where we are not feeling joy.
Joy is something that everyone longs to experience, yet often we are waiting for joy to happen to us after we have done all the other things first. Bringing one's awareness to the question, "What do I enjoy?" can be a very revealing process.
At the root of "enjoy" lies the Old French word "enjoir," meaning "to give joy." Therefore, when we enjoy something, we not only receive joy but also give it to ourselves in a moment of pure bliss.
The experience of joy can take many forms, and it is often found in simple things. Whether it's learning a new skill or engaging in activities that challenge our mind and body, like sports, hiking, dancing, windsurfing, or swimming, or just taking a refreshing cold plunge on a hot day, these experiences can bring a sense of exhilaration and joy that may not be found elsewhere.
I'm curious, what brings you joy? I would love to hear about the things that light up your life and the places you've found joy.
