Last week during one of our morning meetings, my manager posed a question to all of us – what activity outside of work do we enjoy and what does that say about us? I kicked this around in my head for a bit and then had a profound epiphany, which I explained to the team.
I thought of golf, and then thought, but what about writing, spending time with my family, recording the Better Me podcast? I enjoy all of those things, which is where my epiphany happened. I enjoy those things, and many more. These things bring me joy, which nothing did a couple of years ago. I said that to my team and saw faces light up and nod. Those who were around me two years ago knew exactly where I was going with this.
Here were all of these things bringing me joy. What did that say about me? It says I’m healthy. I find joy not just in one thing, but in many things.
I enjoy golfing. I enjoy writing. I enjoy recording the Better Me Podcast. I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter. I enjoy taking a nap in the sunlight. I enjoy good food. I enjoy having a steamed milk with this delicious matcha latte powder I get at a local store. I enjoy rubbing my dogs belly. I enjoy talking with friends, if it’s on some virtual platform. I enjoy listening to music (always Jazz when I write). I enjoy reading a good book. I enjoy watching baseball. I enjoy the sound of my daughter’s laughter. I enjoy knowing that I’ve made her laugh.
The world is a troubled place. Look for where you might find some joy.
I love this post, Heather!! I love matcha lattes too! I had a similar revelation a couple of years ago when reading the book called Joyful by Ingrid Fetel Lee. I sat down and listed pages full of everyday things that brought me small joys. Helps put life into perspective.
Cecile,
Thanks for the comment! I’ve gotten in the habit of writing down a couple of good things that happened every day. That helps to remind me of the things that bring me joy. The work I’ve been doing on mindfulness also keeps me aware. I haven’t read the Lee book, but I did like the Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.