Some of you may have given up on finding joy every day; it just seems unrealistic. With so may things going on in your life, joy is the last thing you think will happen to you.
I believe that when you find out who you really are, you find joy in every moment. In spite of my beliefs about the true self, the biggest challenge I face is worrying. When I forget who I am, I begin to worry, and soon I start throwing myself into the future. A series of “what-if’s” start invading my mind, and before I know it, I’ve completely forgotten about the present moment, where everything is just fine. I tell myself that worrying doesn’t change a thing: if I worry nothing changes, and if I don’t worry nothing changes, so worrying is useless. This rational thinking doesn’t seem to have an affect on how I feel.
When I stop for a moment, I come back to myself, and become aware of the futility of worry, but also how unnatural it feels. I remember that not worrying feels good. I also experience a calmness and sense of peace. I begin to notice what’s right in the world, not in a pollyanna kind of way of looking. I honestly notice what is happening that feels good. I become grateful for all the small things I miss when I get stressed. I start to reach out to friends to show them how much I appreciate them. In a brief moment of peace, I become energized, and begin to take some action that feels good: listening to music, writing, calling a friend, dancing, practicing qi gong.
What’s important here is that I don’t try to make myself feel better, I just feel better. I don’t try to think good thoughts; I just watch my thoughts come and go. I don’t try to be loving; I just become aware that I am love and then let it flow freely from me. I don’t imagine that all my challenges will disappear; I appreciate where I am now. Yes, I “breathe in the pain,” because Love is strong, and then I know that I can survive it, because like the exhale of my breath, whatever is not in alignment with who I am will soon fall away.
I was wondering, how do you open the door to joy when you begin to worry?
nine principles for joy 
Thank you dear sister this is what I miss about you. I open the door to joy by meditating and this pulls me back to the now. Namaste
I can find joy and it is a find, a consistent rediscovery, a reminder that here within is the source of my strength. Finding joy is a constant battleground between worry and the playground of joy. Setting my intentions upon awakening most days, at some point, I lose focus as the day ensues, and become involved in our world’s affairs, our nation’s culture, our local community events, and the challenges of my life. Each one creating acting as a distraction and yet reminding me to refocus; go within and engage my playmates of peace, joy, and more.
Thank you, dear sacred Ndidi, for reminding us to refocus; and to understand that the pendulum of life is normal.