Have you seen my Joy?

"A Series of Documented Events, Experiences and Emotions"

Lately, I've been feeling like my emotions are all over the place. Since turning 45 on March 6th, I can't help but wonder if this milestone is to blame. Reaching 45 feels like standing at a halfway point in life, where I look back with my reflective lens and forward with a sense of uncertainty. The future feels like an unwritten chapter, filled with questions and unknowns that sometimes overshadow my ability to find Joy. This blog is the first of many in which I will embrace all of my feelings and emotions to redefine what happiness means to me at this stage.

Tears keep filling my eyes. Sadness keeps rippling through my heart. Fear keeps shackling my feet. But I want to move forward. My sister told me I can't spend the rest of my life processing the process, and I know she's right. But sometimes, I feel so stuck. It's as if I'm caught in a loop of reflection and uncertainty, unable to break free and find the Joy that once seemed so accessible. This feeling of being stuck is overwhelming, yet I know that acknowledging it is the first step toward moving past it.

I find myself working overtime to make other people happy, hoping to find happiness for myself, but lately, that hasn't been working. I need to find a way to prioritize my happiness without depending so much on others' approval or acceptance.

For too long, I've let others' approval and acceptance dictate my life. But this summer, I'm embarking on a journey of self-discovery. I'm learning to prioritize myself after God and let go of things that no longer serve me, including certain people. It's time to focus on my happiness and well-being, to embrace what brings me Joy and Peace. I'm letting go of the need for external validation and starting to appreciate my own worth and light. I hope my journey inspires you to embark on your own path of self-discovery and self-love.
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-To Be Continued (TBC).

If you're navigating your own journey toward fulfillment in any aspect of your life, whether it's finding Joy, healing, purpose, or overcoming challenges, I would love to hear from you. I welcome guest bloggers to share their stories and insights on my website. Together, we can create a community of support and inspiration. Reach out if you'd like to contribute your entry and be part of this journey. And if you're not ready to share your story yet, feel free to leave a comment or reach out to me. I'd love to hear from you.
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-Dee

Books for the Journey

Here are five books that delve into the theme of finding joy, which might be beneficial for your healing  journey:

1. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin - Rubin spends a year testing out research and theories about how to be happier, and shares her findings and personal journey.

2. Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fetell Lee- This book explores how physical surroundings and everyday objects can influence our mood and sense of joy.

3. The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life by Shawn Achor - Achor explores how happiness can be a precursor to success rather than just a result of it, providing strategies to boost joy in everyday life.

4. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert - While focusing on creativity, this book also offers insights into finding joy and fulfillment in the creative process.

5. The Book of Delights: Essays by Ross Gay - This collection of lyrical essays documents a year in which the author set out to write about something delightful daily, offering reflections on the simple joys in life.