What Brings You Joy

I recently had lunch with a friend. We had met at our place of employment. Neither one of us work there anymore. We talked a little about our former employer, who we know that still works there, and what is in the news. However, most of our conversation was about our current lives.

We talked about our hobbies. She is a quilter. I knit. 

A scarf for my sister

We talked about what we are currently reading and books that we have read that we really liked. We talked about vacations and international travel. We talked about mental health and spiritual growth. We talked about family and aging parents. We talked about all the things that are meaningful to our lives.

We kept coming back to the theme of nurturing our soul. What brings us joy. How we feed our well-being and replenish our souls so that we can be present for those who mean the most to us. 

I am prioritizing my health. I am reading more. I am focusing on my role as the member of a board of directors. And I am knitting.

A baby blanket

What brings you joy?

Changes

 

Change happens. It can be sudden and unforeseen. It can be anticipated yet still feel unexpected. Or it can be planned and strategic. Regardless of how it arrives, change is never effortless.

In December, I experienced an unexpected and sudden change. In the initial shock, the one thing I was determined to maintain was my morning habit of getting some kind of exercise or movement. As my situation evolved, I noticed other subtle shifts in my days. Better sleep, more intentional nutrition.

January arrived, and decisions were made. I wanted to continue my two volunteer activities and spend more time with my mother. I also cherished rest. As I move through the stages of grief, I have prioritized my spiritual well‑being. While I do not succeed in all of these areas all the time (except visiting my mother once a month), I do not beat myself up for falling short.

My days have settled into a pattern of routine. I am the master of my calendar and my time. While some appointments are fixed, everything else fits around the availability I choose. In many ways, time has slowed down. There are still moments of stress, but overall, my life is peaceful.

Change can be traumatic, or it can be a cause for celebration. Either way, it is inevitable.