Find Joy

With the tension that seems to exist around every corner lately, it can be hard to find peace, joy, and happiness. As our society is conflicted and stress continues to be placed on employers and employees, parents and children, and men and women of all walks of life, you may have noticed that it is more difficult to find those higher vibration emotions. 

You are not alone. 

This is certainly a challenge. You are not going crazy, you are not “losing it,” you are simply a victim of a world in turmoil. This is a level of tension many of us have not experienced in our lifetime. It is heavy. It is uncomfortable. It is hard. But it doesn’t have to ruin you. 

It is moments like these we have to dig deep to find our joy and peace. We have to be a little more intentional in finding ways to raise our vibration instead of just going through the motions of the day. Empaths especially, as you’re likely more aware of the heaviness in society. How do you keep yourself from getting weighed down? Or bring yourself out of the darkness if you’ve been there too long? It is not as hard as you might think. 

You start with being aware. Noticing that you’re a little edgy today, and it’s not just because you’re out of your favorite coffee creamer. Recognizing that this level of exhaustion is not matching the energy expenditure of the day. Understanding that your mood is certainly affected by the mood of your coworkers. Considering that the weight of the news might change how you feel. If you are not aware of it, you cannot fix it. As Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” 

After you’ve become aware, then you have a couple of options. Know that if you need to turn off the news for a few days, you can. If you need to avoid that family gathering, do it. If you need a social media break, take one. I’m not telling you to put your head in the sand and avoid everything, just take a break. It is okay to recharge. Bodybuilders get rest days so their muscles can heal. You can have a rest day so your mind and soul can heal. 

Taking a break or not going to that family function can be helpful, but those choices don’t fit every situation. If you have to be in a situation that doesn’t serve your highest good, remember to protect your space. THIS post will dive a little deeper into that. You can be physically around people and not have to take on their hardships and pain. It is not up to you to carry the weight of the world. It is not up to you to make adults act like better humans. It is not your responsibility to keep the peace in every room you enter. 

The best thing you can do is live your life as an example for those around you. Be a lighthouse in the storm. 

Lastly, look for things that bring you joy. Maybe drinking your morning coffee while you read the paper used to bring you peace, but lately, it isn’t having the same effect. Maybe you used to find joy in your job, but the rules and regulations are making that hard. Maybe you found happiness getting together with friends/family for dinner, but it’s been a while since you’ve all been together. It’s time to do a little self-reflection. Identify a few of the things that bring you joy. Things that are in your control. Maybe that is a specific meal. Maybe it’s curling up in front of the fire. Maybe it is a good book or your favorite TV show. Maybe joy comes in creating something or in organizing or cleaning. Whatever that is for you… do more of it. 

Find your joy in those simple activities that we always put at the bottom of the to-do list. You know the ones… the “when I have time” activities. It's time to make the time. When the world feels as heavy as it does right now, it's up to us to bring our own joy and raise our own vibrations. Spending time doing something that truly brings you joy is a great way to do that. Pick one thing every day that brings you joy. Watch how it changes your mood and raises your vibration. You must be intentional about keeping happiness in your life, but the more you work at it, the easier it becomes. 

If finding something that brings you joy is hard, try this white light guided meditation. Find peace in less than 5 minutes.