Life is hard, busy, and frustrating. Not always, but often. As women, we wear many hats, tend to put others first and sometimes forget to slow down and enjoy ourselves in the moment. Everyone defines joy differently. As a mom of a newborn, joy is simply looking down at your baby and marvelling at the little person in your arms. Joy can also be the first time your little wonder sleeps through the night and you finally get some rest. For me most of my joy in the last few decades has been around my family, specifically my sons. Watching them grow, develop, succeed academically, in sports, and as human beings in general brings me unbelievable joy every day.
Joy is a long hike with my dog, a social night out with friends, lake views, a nice meal, retail therapy, a good cup of coffee, laughing with my husband, etc Finding joy daily is important and easily achievable as soon as you identify what it is when it's happening. For me, Holidays bring me joy. All of them. I love the planning, preparation, and execution of the perfect celebration with family and friends. It allows me to be creative, host people I care about and build memories. This Valentine's Day, I was planning to have a big dinner for my parents, in-laws, and my husband. Then life happened, some of my kids got sick, and the dinner was rescheduled. I still decorated and set up for my husband and sons. Still made a nice dinner. Still felt joy and still made a memory. Life is short and time is precious. Do what you need to do to enjoy every day of it, in whatever way works for you.
