Finding Joy in the Journey
Many years ago, I lived at my grandma’s for some time. One morning, I woke up to the loud laughter of children outside of my room. I got up and saw my two cousins playing. One was blowing bubbles and the other one was catching them. They were so easily finding joy in the moment!
The fullness of their laughter made me smile. I realized how they found so much joy in playing with those bubbles. And just how they infected me with that joy!
When Nostalgia Kicks
When was the last time you laughed to your heart’s content? Do you remember the last time you blew bubbles and played? When was the last time you felt genuine joy?
Those children hit me with nostalgia.
I remembered when I was young. When everything was plain and simple. Every day was a simple routine: wake up, have breakfast, go to school, go home, do homework, have dinner, sleep…and repeat.
As I grew older and started to make a living, I got motivated by goals I set for myself. Every achievement gave me momentary joy but after some time, left me wanting bigger goals. I was so focused on the end goal; to the point that joy and fulfillment were not even part of the equation anymore. I thought that if I were to meet these set goals, I can finally be happy and finally experience joy.
Gah…how I was wrong!
Life is a series of journeys and a long journey in itself. These goals we set for ourselves are all part of this journey. Just like me, many people set their eyes on the finish line and forget to smell the roses (or don’t even notice the roses!) along the way.
Slow down: Joy Ahead
Don’t get me wrong, setting goals is a good thing. However, if you’re too focused on your goals, you more often than not, become too absorbed with them that you forget to have fun. Life would feel like a race: the earlier you reach that goal, the better. But believe me, it isn’t.
Back when I was too busy reaching my goals, was also the time when I was too stressed and grumpy. Only when I slowed down a bit and stepped back that I was able to have that breather I didn’t know I badly needed. It was only at that time that I felt more relaxed, more fulfilled, and yes, I started finding joy in the day-to-day.
Joy: Defined
Dictionary.com defines JOY as the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation. Keyword being: exceptionally good and satisfying, can be interpreted subjectively. Wonder how I found mine?
Finding Joy in Your Journey
Would you believe that ‘JOY’ is innately in you and that in order for you to find it is to look within? It may sound absurd but that’s how it works for me. Here’s how:
1. Know what brings you joy
In other words, know what cliques you. Each person has a different personality type and what works for me may not work for you. What brings me joy may not have the same effect on you. Bottom line is, you have to know yourself enough to know what delights you personally. Once you find your thing, focus and magnify on it.
Most often when we want to take a break in our day-to-day journey of life, we tend to follow the trend or the things that people close to us do. This may probably give us joy because of the company but it will be best to also have your own activities that give you genuine joy.
2. Stay connected to people who impact you positively
Positive people influence you positively and negative people influence you negatively.
Choose your circle. Unless you are confident that your positivity is stronger than the negativity they bring, stay away from negative people (as possible) whether they are family, co-workers, or friends. It is easier to find the joy within you if it is uncovered by negative vibrations. Remember that your energy is powerful, the more positivity exudes the more it comes back to you.
3. Sometimes it’s okay to walk alone
Your journey is yours. Even when we have our family and friends who support the decisions we make, expect that they will not be with you every step of the way. This doesn’t mean they stop supporting you. It’s just that it is your journey and the legwork is mostly yours. It is ok to walk alone sometimes. It will give you the independence you need to be strong on your own.
4. Take care of yourself
Know that the most important person in your journey is YOU. And it is easier to find joy if you have a sound body and mind. Enjoying your journey can be difficult if you are unhealthy or unfit….physically, emotionally, and mentally. These are possible ways to get you on track:
- Meditate – quiet your mind and connect to your inner self. Meditation has so many benefits (especially over time), it would require a whole entire blog post.
- Stay fit and healthy – This is not necessarily working out, going to the gym, or exercising (but if you can, why not!). Find an activity that will have the same effect on you. Maybe hiking to the mountains or walking through the park? Regular physical activity helps you feel more relaxed and can help you sleep better. In turn, making your senses as sharp as they can be.
- Have fun – Go to the movies, play, be silly! Keep that childlike attitude in you. Truly experiencing joy happens when you let it fill your heart.
5. Appreciate everything (even the unpleasant ones)
Life is not always rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes there will be obstacles that will challenge your journey. Appreciate them. Do not stress about things that you have no control over. If problems happen, try to solve them. If they can’t be solved then maybe they are meant to solve themselves eventually. Keep the lessons as they will enrich your journey even more. But just the same, learn to let go of the things that are not meant to be.
6. Practice gratitude
One other way to keep the joy in your journey is the belief that the Universe has got your back all the time. Whatever hindrances you experience along the way are all temporary. That everything will pass and it is all part of the journey. Focus on the blessings you receive each time. Finding joy is finding fulfillment in every (small) blessing. Always be grateful and these blessings will continue to pour. Finding and keeping joy in your journey is a mindset. It is a state in your being. It is what you control. When you find that joy within you, tie it in your heart to make your journey a blissful one. Remember that though the finished product is important, it’s the making it that makes it worth the while.
Have a blissful week!