A lot of difficult things have happened in my life the past year and a half. Hard stuff happened before then, of course, some really hard stuff – but the past year and half has been one thing after another with family situations, death, release, loss, grief, health challenges, and more.
During 2013, it seemed like the most difficult year of my life so far. (I still feel that way.)
And 2014 has been very challenging too.
As a way to connect more to joy, earlier this year I decided to paint at least a little bit every day as part of a goal for myself during a class I took. I didn’t always do it every single day, and I still don’t, but it got me into a regular practice of painting.
Painting helps me process and release emotions.
And – painting brings me joy.
That’s why I wanted to bring painting into my life more regularly. With all the shadow I’d been experiencing, I wanted to bring in more light, more joy.
Somewhere around the end of May, I decided to – as much as possible – focus on only those things which really light me up inside and connect me to joy. I’ll admit it hasn’t all been rainbows and sunbeams… in the weeks since then, a dearly loved family member received a very bad medical diagnosis, there have been challenges in our household regarding repairs and finances, and for much of the summer I’ve been dealing with a health situation.
There has been joy. There have also been times that felt far from joyful or joy-filled.
(and to be clear, I do believe there’s a difference in happiness and joy)
When the joy is there, when I really feel it, I know in my bones I want more of this.
I want a deeper, and more consistent, relationship with joy.
I’m committed even more to strengthening that relationship, and I believe it’s something which can be strengthened.
As part of this commitment to bringing more joy into my life, connecting more with joy, and deepening my relationship with joy, I’ve decided to show up on my blog every day – starting at the next new moon, later this week – and posting something about my relationship with joy.
Every day for a complete moon cycle.
Some days I’ll write a post where I share how things are going with me and joy.
Some days I might not write much of anything but I’ll post a painting I’m working on, a photo I’ve taken, or a piece of jewelry or something else I make (because I strongly believe the creative process can connect us with our joy).
Whatever it is, I’m going to share something about joy every day here on the blog as the moon starts new, waxes to full, and wanes to new again.
I’m saying it in this post now as a public commitment to do this, a way to hold myself accountable.
It’s my moon journey with joy.
I’d been thinking I would start August 1, but this weekend I decided to start on the new moon instead – just as another way, small as it might be, to also deepen my connection to the cycles of the moon.
I’m committing to a post each day about joy, starting on the new moon.
Ginger Simpson White 