Welcome back! It has been a wild couple of months. But the nationwide closings have offered me one very important thing: TIME. With all our extra curricular cancelled and an end to obligations six (plus) days a week I have stepped back even from my online commitment to rest, really rest and focus on my physical and emotional health. It only took about two months but I am no longer “just tired” and feel like I am legitimately only tired.
It could be really resting, committing to talk therapy, our new kittens, my new “I am” app, or probably a combination of all of the above, but the depression I have been fighting for four years seems to have lifted.
I have woken up feeling happy and joyful for nearly two weeks now. It is amazing how much more energy you have when you don’t have to fight your brain and decide to be happy, choose to feel joy, and resolve to be optimistic every day. I am walking every day and journaling every day. Two healthy habits that I have tried so many times to pick up but have not been able to find the energy to engage with. More importantly I have (mostly) banished the word “should” from my inner dialogue.
Anyway, this post could very easily become a book, so I’m going to move on to two quick recommendations and some quotes about joy for the week.
First is “The Book of Joy” from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams. I borrowed the audio-book back in February and went out to purchase my own hard copy so I could mark it up and make notes. Their wisdom and different approaches to joy, happiness, and courage are amazing! Also, Archbishop Tutu is now one of my favorite humans and at the top of the list of famous people I’d like to have dinner with.
The “I am” app by Monkey Taps. I am currently still using just the free content and it brings a smile to my face every time I get a notification. I’ve been using positive affirmations for a while, but I wasn’t writing the right ones for myself. The provided health affirmations in particular have be very useful for me.
And now enough quotes to get you through the week along with a reminder that if you are choosing to remain happy and joyful in the midst of trials or depression you are doing work and to please seek professional help.
Joy On Pink Wings 