I have had the chance to do a great deal of reflection over the last 24 days on the significance of Christmas in our lives today. As I researched and worked on this daily Advent Calendar blog it brought me closer to understanding the true meaning of Christmas, and I believe it is about learning to find joy.
Life gives us many reasons to be upset or sad, including having to alter Christmas plans for the greater good of our community, and yet how wonderful it is that we have the power to make the best of it? What starts out as a negative moment can be converted into a beautiful memory simply by deciding to express our inner joy and to let our joy take over the moment.
By removing so many of the privileges we took for granted, the pandemic has given us the opportunity to reflect on what is essential, and what brings us joy even in hard times. Perhaps now more than ever, we remember to take in the beauty of a sunrise or truly appreciate and trust the love of another human being.
“There are souls in this world which have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go.”
– Frederick Wm. Faber
So how can you start focusing on the little things in life to find joy in them? Well for one, it’s important to remember that each moment matters, especially this moment right here and right now.
Acquiring joy is an ongoing process that takes time and requires setting up the right conditions for it to suddenly appear.
Here are some ways we can create conditions that will help to manifest joy
- Watch things grow
- Notice things changing
- Be of service
- Nurture
- Do things differently
- Embrace your childlike wonder
- Expect less
- Enjoy your work
- Life for today
- Chose to be happy
- Stop worrying
- Develop a positive outlook
The real trick to finding joy in the little things is knowing that the joy you seek is always there, waiting for you to find it. All you have to do is look… Really! It’s just that simple.
The beauty of nature, the opportunities to try new things, the magic of making connections and learning something new. Moments when you laugh at something funny or what your friend did that made you laugh. Moments when you enjoy listening to your favourite music in the car and start singing along. It is all there waiting for you to embrace it.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have written this series, and thank you for allowing me the time and space in your day to share my thoughts with you. I feel blessed, and very joyful for it has led me to finding many ways to appreciate the little moments. I wish you a merry Christmas dear reader, filled with those moments that will bring you joy, peace, hope and love which coincidentally are the four themes represented by each candle an Advent Wreath. One for Hope, one for Peace, one for Love and one for Joy.
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Je suis de celles qui est demeurée optimiste tout au long de la pandémie. En appréciant ce que l’on a, on ne perd pas ses énergies à ruminer ce que l’on a pas ou ce qui aurait pu être.
You are so right when you say: “What starts out as a negative moment can be converted into a beautiful memory simply by deciding to express our inner joy and to let our joy take over the moment.”