Self reflection Question #1 What Brings me Joy

    



    Before I start this blog I should tell you that I am linking this to my podcast Every Day Psychology, which is available on most podcast sites. I am doing this as an addition to my podcast because so many times therapists listen to others or have questions for others but do not take time to self-reflect. I wanted to share my own self-reflection process and be more real about myself. 

        I bought a book - I know a real paperback book from a real book store! The book was on a side shelf with other discounted books - you know the place that books go before they are - well I don't really know where unbought books go maybe the dollar store? The title is 3001 Question to Ask Myself - By Chartwell books - I walked past then the title called out to me. I picked it up and they are simple questions but are they?  

        Like the first question - What brings me joy? if I hit the surface that is quick drab and surface but as I looked at the questions I realized that I have never really asked myself these questions. So here I am going to answer these questions with self-reflection and honesty maybe too honest but that is where I am at in life. 

I hope this inspires and challenges you to do the same thing. PS I doubt I will get through all 3001 anytime soon... 


What brings me joy?
        The definition of joy is "the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation" Dictionary.com. I have been thinking this over for some time and I am not sure if there is anything that on a constant basis brings me joy. The term joy, is to me, a stand-alone emotion. It is not just happiness, in fact, I would say it is the stage beyond happiness. It is experienced at those rare spikes or events in life that reach the level that you are fully immersed at the moment.

        I can recall several spikes of joy or elation. The moment my wife came walking down the aisle at our wedding - the moment my son and daughter were born, there are several other spikes I can say we're joy-filled but what brings me joy on a constant basis? 

    My Shih Tzu, Lady Victoria Russell - yes my dog has 3 names as required by registration for the AKC and yes she is a foo-foo dog but she often brings me close to feeling joy. When I come home even if I just run to the store she is so excited to see me and when I sit down she is often in my lap. She is quite the diva but she often brings me as the definition says "something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure"  

        This is from a person that never had pets growing up and considered them more of an annoyance than joy-producing. In fact, my parents brought home many pets only to take them away after a week or two. When I was younger they would say they ran away to the circus it was more fun. I did wonder why they did not love me but understood fun I suppose. as I got older they just said it was the wrong type of pet or nothing just give it away. So there is no history of joy with pets in my life. The closest thing would be a goldfish but she died after a month but he had big eyes. Yet, here is this little dog that is one point of joy to me. I had a cat that I liked but cats are more standoffish. From the belly rubs to the wagging tail this dog is a joy bringer in my life and I can't even think of her not here. 

    I think we use words like joy to flippant and do not take time to really appreciate the depth and impact of the moments of joy! or the things that bring us joy on a consistent basis. 

     I love my kids and my partner and we have a lot of happiness on a constant basis but as I said joy supersedes happiness and my family brings me many more positive emotions that are not part of this question and certainly joy spikes are there at times.  
        I have to admit to you and to myself the constant engaging of feeling joy is limited to a few things in a person's life. I am working on expanding my joy experiences as this is an important part of living. 

             Comment on what in your life brings joy? 

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