How to Find Joy in the Midst of Despair
Next Big Idea Club
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The Next Big Idea Daily newsletter (SUBSCRIBE) is written by me, Michael Kovnat , and gathers insights from today’s leading non-fiction authors. It’s a companion to our Next Big Idea Daily podcast, available on Apple or Spotify .
Full disclosure: I was once Steven Petrow's landlord.
Before he was the bestselling author of wise and funny books like Stupid Things I Won't Do When I Get Old: A Highly Judgmental, Unapologetically Honest Accounting of All the Things Our Elders Are Doing Wrong , Steven was a journalist and essayist writing columns for The Washington Post and The New York Times. Back then, he briefly sublet my West Village apartment.
We didn't really stay in touch, but we had a nice moment of reconnection via email when his new book landed on my desk. That book is The Joy You Make: Find the Silver Linings--Even on Your Darkest Days.
It seems that in the couple of decades since I met Steven, he's had a lot of professional and personal success, but also a lot of grief. He lost both of his parents, his marriage fell apart, and people close to him have suffered serious illness. The path of his life, like all of ours, has taken him into some deep valleys.
But as he recounts his personal challenges in the book, he offers up a surprising insight -- that joy is always present, even in the toughest times.
Hear Steven Petrow explain how to access joy in bleak moments:
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We also heard a lot of other big ideas this week, like:
Have a listen to these ideas and let me know what curveballs life has thrown you, and if you managed to find joy in the midst of sorrow.
By the way, if you're interested in having these and thousands of other big ideas right in your pocket, download the Next Big Idea app .
Game Changer
2 个月Could I possibly have a copy of this book sent to me as I remain unemployed? It's also my birthday in ten days. Is there any way that I could also contribute towards the organization? Please let me know. Thank you. I appreciate it.