Day 11: Joy
Tending to joy when it feels fragile and hard to come by
Welcome to Day 11 of the Outsourced Optimism Lightly Festive Digital Advent Calendar. Click here to learn more about this small seasonal series or to unwrap all the gifts in the archives.
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I am finding joy hard to come by right now. As soon as I secure a small slice, something outside my control swoops in and crushes itâ general news and unwanted information, logistical and relational challenges, not-so-friendly reminders, hopes that have spoiled into disappointments.
Even as I write that, I can hear how powerless it sounds. I know many times when I feel this way, a posture change is whatâs called forâ what is an empowered action I can take, how else can I see thisâ but even standing in superwoman pose trying to physically channel my infinity isnât working as a counter measure.
As I was updating the Camp AweGust Values Statement for Day 7âs Friendly Reminders poster, I initially left this part as is: Make something for joy.
I imagined all the holiday crafts opportunities and making parties that seem to pop up around this time. I know that making things with our hands can bring us into a moment, help us bypass our worries and thinking brains, and invite in our playful spirits.
But it wasnât quite right. Not for this. Every pass, Iâd change it a little bit. Find joy. Embrace joy. Bring joy. All good, true, and valid things. But, it wasnât until I wrote this that I stopped editing: Tend to your own joy.
Why did I settle there? I think itâs because tending is an active and attentive approach that recognizes the influence of outside forces and sources on the overall wellbeing of a thing, and it meets that reality with the responsibility of watchful care and constant presence.
In a state where joy feels a bit fragile, where so much of our joy feels dependent, this is the invitation that felt most honest and empowering.
I could easily turn this into a list of ways to tend to our joy. Or an assignment to do something that brings you joy each day. (And please feel free to run with those prompts if that feels good.) But, for me, right now, it doesnât feel right to meet a gentle invitation with a rigid plan.
So, here, instead, is a commitment statement. From me to you, as my witness. For you, from me, if you need it:
I will tend to my joy this season.
I will tend to my joy because my joy is my priority.
I will tend to my joy because my joy matters.
I will tend to my joy daily and with curiosity, because I know its needs may be different day to day. And also to prevent sneaky weeds from sprouting and strangling it.
I will tend to my joy like a watchful gardener, because I know it does not live in a vacuum and, while there are (real and figurative) weather patterns and forces and careless creatures I canât prevent, I can be prepared to protect it.
I will tend to my joy in ways that are ease-y, recognizing that my capacity is limited and there is no need to overcomplicate this.
How will you tend to your joy today? How have you tended to your joy lately?
Yesterday, I took myself on a field trip to a new cafe, even though I donât know this area very well and it didnât feel like I had the time. I tried a fun specialty drink from their seasonal menu, which always lights me up. And, when I asked the barista to describe what an anise and caraway latte tastes like, she said itâs toasty and nutty and it feels like a warm hug.
And you know what? She was right.
And a fun little drink is just >>>> !
Love that tending Tami ~ I need it too â€ïž