Finding Joy in the Simple Things in Life
Mary Patry PCC
Transforming IT Leaders | Executive Coach | CIO & IT Leadership Strategist ICF Certified Coach | Former IT Executive and | Bates ExPI? Certified
If you find your search for joy allusive during these challenging times, you may want to take a pause and consider –"Am I trying too hard?" "Am I expecting more than what is possible at this time"?
It is natural to want more, especially during the Holiday season that has always delivered joyous occasions, days spent decorating, baking, and time with family and friends. The traditional source of Joy is disrupted for all of us. We logically know this feeling will need to be found in different ways than in prior years.
My thoughts are to go easy on ourselves and to keep it simple. Does it matter if I don't have the neighborhood's shiniest lights or if my tree looks like Charlie Browns? Not really. What matters is to find joy where I can, even if it is in the little things I do each day.
For me, I find joy in searching for old songs and artists to remember and contemporary singer-songwriters to follow. (Have I mentioned how much I love music?) I am finding new recipes to experiment with, along with discovering new routes to walk. Most important - video chatting with my family members all that I can. With guilty pleasure, I am taking the time to watch a new Holiday Movie every evening instead of spending time on social media before bedtime. It doesn't matter what it is, as long it brings me joy. As you can see, there is nothing dramatic here. It is not our usual annual December travel adventure or parties. But that is okay, as we are focusing on staying healthy and finding happiness where we can.
In my search for old songs to remember, I was inspired by James Cocker's version of "The Simple Things." The best things in life indeed are simple things. Check it out on your favorite audio or video streaming tool. I hope it inspires you as much as it does me.
In whatever form your search for joy takes you, I wish you a loving journey. There are no right or wrong answers. It is whatever works for you to nourish your soul, to keep you healthy and balanced during an already stressful season.
Warm Regards, Mary