Alex, this is so beautiful. That line—“joy often arrives in spite of things, not because of them”—is everything. It's so true, and so rarely named. Joy can feel like a betrayal and a homecoming all at once.
Also, I don't know if you remember as it's been quite a few years but I'm the founder of Rhodes Wedding Co. and we created a necklace for you to honor you and your daughter. I still think about that piece all the time. You are such a gift.
My answer to the week 1 question is I have been noticing so many adorable little dogs on my walk around the harbor. They always make me smile regardless of my mood.😊
"There is something sacred about letting joy and heartbreak live in the same room. About not waiting for our lives to be perfectly aligned before we let the light in. Joy can sit next to sorrow."
This whole essay is so spot on for me right now. However, "letting joy and heartbreak live in the same room..." it is a lesson I am learning in spades since my middle daughter died. Not in the first months following her death, but now as I move forward from that place of deep sorrow, I find joy and sorrow go hand-in-hand at times.
“There’s something sacred about letting joy and heartbreak live in the same room” THIS! After a workout that left my hip aching, I knew I just did too much. I began to think of my Senior yoga students who have had hip replacements (the heartbreak) but their resilience (the joy) to continue, no matter what motivated me. I know I’m so very blessed (my joy) and WE ARE STILL HERE!
Beautiful as always sis! Currently in the space where joy feels like a betrayal. I know joy and sorrow can coexist, but right now the latter has his feet up and is taking up all the room on the sofa! I need joy to get a little more aggressive with recapturing her real estate.
A friend at work asked me to go to a jazz club and it made me so happy. I realized how much I need connection. Caring for my MIL with dementia for most of the last year and teaching kids all day didn’t leave a lot of room for adult connection. I’m so grateful for this friend and our connection. ♥️ her invite reminded me to take care of me too.
This is beautiful! I chose a weekend of joy the last few days. I went dancing, hiking, to a community event and more dancing. I felt guilty at times, but recent stressors were impacting my health so I witnessed the guilt, and experienced joy anyway. My body feels better and my mind is more clear. That’s important.
Thank you for this beautiful and necessary message.
Wow. Just wow. AND, I'm growing lotus seeds too... and bonsai (amazingly). It is, like yours, an experiment that has become a smile and yes, I'm grateful - for this, and your essay. God bless you and thank you.
I’m new to this but wanted to know that your words touched me today. My unexpected joy was meeting my friend’s new born baby, less than 24 hours old! And seeing the loving looks between him and his father even though they’ve just “met”.
My husband and I have a rubber plant and a monstera that have both been shooting out new leaves lately and we feel so much excitement and joy every time a new one emerges. We love watching their progress as they develop into full leaves. I don't know why we care so much, but it sure does add a dose of fun and childlike wonder into those days.
Alex, this is so beautiful. That line—“joy often arrives in spite of things, not because of them”—is everything. It's so true, and so rarely named. Joy can feel like a betrayal and a homecoming all at once.
Also, I don't know if you remember as it's been quite a few years but I'm the founder of Rhodes Wedding Co. and we created a necklace for you to honor you and your daughter. I still think about that piece all the time. You are such a gift.
Thank you, Jessy! AND YES, wow. I do remember. So nice to see you here.
Thank you for recommending my work, Alex. I so appreciate you and all that you’re putting out in the world.
My answer to the week 1 question is I have been noticing so many adorable little dogs on my walk around the harbor. They always make me smile regardless of my mood.😊
"There is something sacred about letting joy and heartbreak live in the same room. About not waiting for our lives to be perfectly aligned before we let the light in. Joy can sit next to sorrow."
This whole essay is so spot on for me right now. However, "letting joy and heartbreak live in the same room..." it is a lesson I am learning in spades since my middle daughter died. Not in the first months following her death, but now as I move forward from that place of deep sorrow, I find joy and sorrow go hand-in-hand at times.
“There’s something sacred about letting joy and heartbreak live in the same room” THIS! After a workout that left my hip aching, I knew I just did too much. I began to think of my Senior yoga students who have had hip replacements (the heartbreak) but their resilience (the joy) to continue, no matter what motivated me. I know I’m so very blessed (my joy) and WE ARE STILL HERE!
I'm so sorry for your loss. Glad you are finding some joy along side the sorrow.
Beautiful as always sis! Currently in the space where joy feels like a betrayal. I know joy and sorrow can coexist, but right now the latter has his feet up and is taking up all the room on the sofa! I need joy to get a little more aggressive with recapturing her real estate.
Beautiful. I needed to read this, to understand joy in this nuanced way, especially since my window of tolerance for joy is not that wide…yet.
A friend at work asked me to go to a jazz club and it made me so happy. I realized how much I need connection. Caring for my MIL with dementia for most of the last year and teaching kids all day didn’t leave a lot of room for adult connection. I’m so grateful for this friend and our connection. ♥️ her invite reminded me to take care of me too.
This is beautiful! I chose a weekend of joy the last few days. I went dancing, hiking, to a community event and more dancing. I felt guilty at times, but recent stressors were impacting my health so I witnessed the guilt, and experienced joy anyway. My body feels better and my mind is more clear. That’s important.
Thank you for this beautiful and necessary message.
Blessings!
Just the first two paragraphs of this post made my eyes fill with tears. Thank you for articulating what I feel and cannot express.
Wow. Just wow. AND, I'm growing lotus seeds too... and bonsai (amazingly). It is, like yours, an experiment that has become a smile and yes, I'm grateful - for this, and your essay. God bless you and thank you.
My joy to today was my workout. It has been a hard 24 hours and I was able to make sure I took time for me.
I’m new to this but wanted to know that your words touched me today. My unexpected joy was meeting my friend’s new born baby, less than 24 hours old! And seeing the loving looks between him and his father even though they’ve just “met”.
Love this - all the feels and all the joy. Will head off to sleep with this reflection in my heart.
Thank you 🪷 oh how I need this
Thank you for this 🙏
This really touched me. It was exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you. I am incredibly grateful that you shared this with us.
My husband and I have a rubber plant and a monstera that have both been shooting out new leaves lately and we feel so much excitement and joy every time a new one emerges. We love watching their progress as they develop into full leaves. I don't know why we care so much, but it sure does add a dose of fun and childlike wonder into those days.