I think we’ve gotten to a place where we overthink so many things. I was asked recently why I like having houseplants so much.
“I don’t know, they just bring me joy, I guess.”
I thought later about how a “better” answer would have been that they are good for the quality of air, and how they are beautiful, and how I like being someone who likes having plants. And I know they are good for teaching us how to care for something, which can translate to how we care for ourselves…blah blah blah.
But the reality is, I just like having them, and tending to them brings me joy. Repotting them periodically brings me joy, and talking to them or congratulating them on their new leaves brings me joy. Even when they die and I callously say “Well I tried…” as I throw them into the “wild part” of our yard, brings me joy.
I just like them. It’s just joyful.
I got to thinking about how so often we feel we have to justify our joy instead of just trusting it.
Even actively distrust our joy or interpret it as a sign that maybe we are being naive or silly or thoughtless to just follow joy. But I think joy is a very trustworthy thing. And there are some notes we could make on the difference between joy and happiness. Joy is a state that allows for pain and transcends the self, while happiness is more of an outward expression and a temporary state.
I have found that when something feels like joy it’s a deep, fluid, flexible, settled, contentedness that can undulate with disappointment and hurt while maintaining that this life, while imperfect, is beautiful.
A short one today, but with this invitation: Can you trust your joy? Can you trust that joy is an indication that you are doing what is good and needed and that you are maybe even following your soul’s purpose? Can you trust your joy enough for its very presence to be compelling enough to justify being exactly where you are, doing exactly what brings joy?
What are your undeniable joys right now?