HOLDING ON TO JOY

As we exit the holidays, many of us are feeling a little melancholy at the notion of re-engaging with our normal routines. It’s as if we believe that January 1st means packing up all our joy and tucking it away until we are allowed to experience it again. Why do we only hold tight to the spirit for a season? Would it really diminish the value of the holiday if we embraced the good it brings, not just for two months, but year-round? 

We typically begin each year with a renewed focus on achieving greater enlightenment and peace on our journey. This does not happen automatically. It starts with an intentional shifting of the mindset. And it is achieved by taking deliberate steps to not only create, but also sustain the behaviors that create whatever we aspire to achieve. Many of us may fall short because we approach it as a reset every year rather than a continuation of what we have already built. But imagine if, instead of putting it away, we held on to the renewed sense of hope, love and fellowship celebrated over the holidays. Imagine if, rather than returning to the norm, we maintained the connections with our loved ones year-round; intentionally creating joyful experiences. Remember, it can be very easy to get caught up in the pursuit of happiness however, if we take a moment to pause and reflect, maybe we would discover the joy that already surrounds us.