Good Day, Lady Namera 2020 here to drop a bit of knowledge on that elusive but oh so rewarding gift of joy.

Have you ever had a really bad day, month, year, or just existence? What made you feel this way? Was it being overwhelmed with what seemed like the weight of the world? Or was it just being sick and tired of being sick and tired? The funny thing is life is what you determine it is. If you think it is going to be a bad day then it will be. Conversely, if you think it is going to be a joyful day then it will be. How is this possible?

Stay with me, we’re going on a bit of a journey of the mind, actually the depths of my mind. Don’t worry it’s not so cataclysmic as going into the rabbit hole of Alice and Wonderland. Though some of my friends would swear that is how my mind processes.

Once upon a time in my young existence there lived a creative mind that flourished. Kids from my era were not to speak until spoken to, as this was how well behaved children managed to evade the belt or switch. In the silence, the most miraculous things occurred, I had time to think of anything my heart and mind chose. Quiet time with one’s thoughts in youth builds resiliency to withstand great distress and turmoil. You see without any formal rules, training, or curricula whatever you think is possible. Settle with that thought for a moment. It is a game-changer that we have from birth. Children’s shows convey this, check out an old episode of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood (https://www.misterrogers.org/watch/) or the Backyardigans (https://youtu.be/2eP5N9sMIwE) both will convey this concept in ways we tend to forget as adults. I have a theory that “happiness” comes from “happenings”; whereas, joy comes from within.

What’s my point? We determine how we approach each new day, event, project, and tragedy by how we think. Have you ever lost someone exceedingly close who had been sick for a long time or terminally ill? Yes, there is sadness in the loss but when we realize they will experience no more pain, that realization can give us so much joy. Why, because we realize that while being in our presence made us comfortable just to see them, they endured much pain to stay with us as long as they could. Yet, we could not remove their pain. Now they have no more pain, that thought gives me solace, peace, and joy.

What’s my point? I reiterate we determine how we approach each new day, event, project, and tragedy by how we think. I choose to be joyful because it is free and only requires me to remember it is an internal gift dependent on me to grasp it because no one can give it, therefore, no one can take it away. So the next time you are feeling depleted by life’s unexpected happenings, please remember you have a choice on how you process it. Take a few moments to as they say “smell the roses” or its equivalent for you, reflect, exhale, then choose a moment of joy for yourself. It comes in handy when you least expect it.

Have an amazing each day on purpose for a purpose beyond yourself. Then you will know true joy because it will be second nature to you.

Until next time, Best regards,

Lady Namera 2020