Serious question. Where’s your joy? Is it in sitting by a fire having good conversation? Having coffee with a friend who knows you inside and out? Watching your family enjoy the meal you prepared? Finishing a project you started? Those are the ones that come to my mind.
So the same places it comes from are the places we feel it missing the most. What do we do when we feel the void? When friends can’t coordinate schedules and when we’re actually by ourselves?
If your joy is reliant on other people to maintain it, on the reactions and affirmation of others…. Your joy will always feel small because that’s not YOUR joy.
For me, true joy comes from the mindset I have when I don’t depend on others to fill it or even participate. Cooking a meal and giving it away. Taking coffee to a friend and knowing they don’t have time to talk. Sitting by a fire and enjoying a peaceful moment. Or finishing a project by myself.
I’ve found if I’m waiting on others to fill my joy, it never works out. Find that something you can do without needing the credit, attention, or time of others, that thing that makes your heart smile…and do it often.
Deeper Than a Puddle 