Happiness in the face of grief

Trying to find my midweek joy today in the face of struggle. My uncle died yesterday. We had a difficult relationship because we didn't see eye to eye over most things. However, he was my mother's younger brother and she loved him unconditionally so I always tried to do the same. His death is making the pain I still feel over her passing three years ago feel fresh.

So where do I find joy today? Obviously the Daily Grind launch will be fun, so I am grateful for that, but in my mood, I think I need to look into the softer corners of my life for real joy. The weather, though still hot in my part of the world, is starting to have a fresh, less humid feel to it. I can literally feel the seasons turning. Fall is my favorite season- though I love all of them- and I am particularly excited about all of the projects I am working on. So I will go for a mid-day walk, think about where I want to place my focus next, and that will bring me joy.

I bumped into a co-worker coming into the library this morning. I have not seen her since I went on vacation. She told me she missed me and was glad to have me back. I genuinely love most of my co-workers. Her comment helped me enormously. I am so incredibly lucky to have a job that I believe in, and colleagues who I respect and like.

Having just gotten off a Disney Cruise, we are already planning to book another one. Disney announced sailings out of New York for a limited time next year, and that is something I was literally wishing for just last week. So we are going to go to New York for my son's 16th birthday next year and take a cruise up to Canada. I have over a year to look forward to that and to plan that vacation and I LOVE planning vacations. I have often thought about having a retirement career as a travel agent just for fun. This is most definitely a source of joy.

Sometimes choosing joy is not easy. Responsibilities, hardships, most of the news, tragedies that touch our lives and the lives of those we care about affect each and every one of us. Making room for the feels that hurt is necessary- our mental health requires it and false positivity helps no one. But I want a life filled with love, adventure, and contribution, and I think I have a great deal of all three. So even though it is layered with sadness, I am grateful to have so many sources of joy in my life today. I believe we can all find moments of joy in most days. I would love to hear what others do to find the joy in their life.