Fighting for joy is a daily battle. It seems there is always something to get you down or let you down, if you let it. Sometimes I’m scared of being too happy because that means the happy thief is coming. I know I should not think this way but how many of us have experienced this. I’m working hard to change this way of thinking because I know it’s not mentally healthy.

The waves of life can be challenging but it’s not what happens to you it’s how you deal with it. When hard times come find the joy. This can be hard to do if don’t recognize joy and know how to find it. Joy to me is the things that gives me hope, makes me smile and gives my heart peace. It can be found in others, a simple smile or hello. Taking a walk or sitting outdoors enjoying nature, is a simple way to get fresh air, a change of scenery and strike joy. For me it’s the red bird or cute butterfly that flies by. I always think it’s my deceased father reminding to keep going.

Recently someone I knew gave up and committed suicide. It’s a hard topic to discuss because many suffer with mental illness or have their reasons for why they felt they wanted to leave this earth. I mentioned in a previous post that I write greeting cards. I have a card for a parent who’s child committed suicide. Every time one is purchased my heart breaks, partly because I’m a feeler and the other part because I’ve been there. As a child I had suicidal thoughts and I’m grateful it is something I was able to grow from.

It’s the reason I fight for joy for me and others. It’s little things that strike joy. When you encounter it hold on to it and you be the joy for someone else.