Prioritizing Joy
It's essential to know what brings you joy. What is joyful in your life? Joy is a deep feeling of happiness and contentment. Consider your experiences—whether daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or momentarily—are they joyful? Think about the relationships in your life: are they joyful? Reflect on your work and your everyday living—your lifestyle—does it provide you with a sense of purpose and accomplishment? Is it joyful? Joy, that deep feeling of happiness and contentment, matters. Unlike fleeting moments of pleasure, joy is more enduring and can persist even in challenging times. It encompasses a sense of well-being and fulfillment that goes beyond temporary satisfaction.
Many naysayers will argue that not everything in life is meant to be joyful, but I disagree. I don’t subscribe to the “no gain without pain” mantra. Perhaps it's applicable at the gym, but it doesn’t have to be so in life. I’ve been chatting with a few runners lately, and although I don’t particularly like running, I have a desire to do it. They all say the same thing: “No one likes running when they’re running.” Then why do it? Perhaps it's the sense of accomplishment, the results, or achieving your goals that brings joy. If not, why do it? I choose exercise practices that bring me joy while I’m doing them, such as yoga, swimming, brisk walks, and hiking.
Many people are dissatisfied with the way the world works, yet every day, they wake up and carry on, participating in aspects of life that they disagree with—things that don't bring them joy, because they complain about it. Perhaps complaining brings them joy. Who knows? What I am suggesting is that we opt out of the things that don’t bring us joy. Don’t do them, don’t be around them, and say no to the "no thank you" portion. I will not choose to appease at the sacrifice of my joy. Personally, I prioritize my joy, if for no other reason than that we literally make everything up. Look around you—wherever you are in this world—and if it did not come from a seed or a complex protein, we literally made it all up, including the practices and shared values that go along with them. Prioritize your joy and make your world a better place. Then, make the world a better place—a place that’s more joyful.
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