When you are ill, there are days when your body needs careful, loving attention and you can’t begin to think about joy. That’s okay. Know that those days won’t last forever.
Joy will come, but you may need to invite it. Let your mouth curve into a smile.
Think “in this moment, I choose joy.” Get curious: how did those words feel in your body? There is no need to reject or judge what’s there. If it’s not the moment for joy, let it be. But you may find the words lighten your heart.
Here are other joy invitations:What do you love to do? What makes your heart sing? Do those things
Take advantage of available media and technology. In these times of coronavirus, columnists are offering advice for ways to have fun without leaving home. Check these suggestions from writers in Dubai, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.
Watch for moments of delight. Keep a log of your daily highs and lows. It’s a quick form of journaling. The side effects are that you will watch for positive moments and discover that you’ve survived the times you felt discouraged.
If you find joy impossible for several months, it may be a sign that you need to consult a psychologist/psychiatrist. Take gentle care of yourself and please get the help you need.
An ancient psalmist wrote “weeping lasts through the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5). Know that if you incline your heart toward joy, you will not be disappointed. Courage, friends. Be on the lookout for joy