Joy is a choice. It doesn’t come automatically and there are constant hurdles in life that can easily suck the joy out of us. But the way we react, recover and move on from those hurdles is how we find our joy.
After losing my husband almost three years ago I had to work hard in finding joy in each day. My hopes and dreams where all bundled up in this little family of ours. Then in an instant that reality was shattered.
It is a choice to have joy despite being a widow. I don’t have to let the physical loss and the loss of the future I thought we had determine my mood.
Instead of laying in bed crying (which in my mind was not an option – I had a little kid that needed food, love and the tv turned on), I chose to go to the park with my son. I chose to take a shower and put on clean yoga pants. I chose to say a prayer each morning before my feet hit the floor to give me joy and energy to get through that day. I chose to smile and play with my son.
I choose joy instead of wallowing in my own self pity.
Joy is a Choice
Sure I wallowed (and still do at times). But once that wave of grief, anger and frustration passes, I make a point to choose joy.
If I don’t choose joy, then that means I have lost all hope. And hope is the only thing stronger than fear. I want to make sure that my son looks back at this tragedy in our lives to see a strong, joyful, loving mom. One that didn’t give up when life got hard.
Despite all the hard and trying time, we have the ability to choose joy.
