Bullet Points of Joy
On this sunny Christmas morning, I share a rabbity mental ramble on JOY including a bulleted list on how I intend to cultivate more of it in 2023.
It all started with Zelensky’s speech. I am rarely a watcher of anything so when I do, I find myself attuned to subtle energies. I teared up many times, especially when he said this:
“We will celebrate Christmas. And even if there is no electricity, the light of our faith will not be put out.”
This simple sentence evoked something ancestral–a unique combination of Christmas spirit and Jewish determination.
It is easy to forget that Hanukkah is a war holiday even though it is expressly not to be celebrated as such. The candles are for pleasure only, focusing on the miracle in the midst of strife.
I am admittedly a tourist with respect to Christmas, but what I enjoy is the indelible acts of communal sharing. As we descend into darkness, cards, updates, decorations, and food light up the hearts of the collective. I didn’t grow up with Santa but I love the idea of a world so abundant that presents arrive just because…
Spirit and Determination are qualities that take time and care to develop. When we are determined to create space for generosity we invest in the foundations of joy. Joy is intentional happiness. It is a pact with ourselves to prize the mystery and miracle of life without suppressing its pathos.
No one wants to be cold or hungry, scared or lost, grief stricken or in pain. I acknowledge that many of us are feeling these things and to truly be joyful, I do not turn away from those who are in darkness today.
But so many times we are none of those things and still live with overwhelming shadows. And for this reason, I asked myself the question, “How do we become more joyful?” How can our determination and generosity of spirit become a first principle?
These were my answers:
When we orient toward joy we make a commitment to affirm that good is possible. It may not be happening right now, but it is, in fact, possible.
We acknowledge that the gift of human kindness arises just because we are human not because we perform in pleasing ways.
We accept pain but eschew suffering. We can’t always control the former but we can dissipate the latter.
We appreciate happiness but accept its transience.
We cultivate grit. We are willing to persevere in order to express our passion and purpose.
We work to dissipate negative mental states understanding that emotions are our truth but not the TRUTH. Ditto for thoughts and beliefs.
We take care of ourselves and the people who count on us to the best of our ability. Joy and health are intimately connected.
We invite wonder. The more we can spring out of our routine into moments that make us gasp with delight or awe, the better.
If happiness is the rainbow, joy is the light. We work to keep the glow and rest whenever we can’t.
In the darkest of moments, I have called on these principles and notice that orienting toward joy feels like an ignition. I am not pursuing anything, I am witnessing and strengthening what is already there.
I am keeping the light on for all of us as we transition into 2023, even if the wind takes down some power lines.
Wishing you so much peace and joy and delight on this day.