We live in a culture that has been influenced by prudish institutions that promote self denial and sacrifice. Happiness has been considered a fleeting privilege, and not to be sought after or expected.
But everyday joy should not be an afterthought in our lives. Joy and happiness serve a very important role in health. It is a reliable remedy to stress and burnout, which causes the hormone induced inflammation that leads to chronic lifestyle diseases.
Despite what naysayers peddle, seeking joy is not the same as constantly chasing mindless hedonistic pleasures. It takes a more responsible and practical understanding of what it mean to give ourselves permission to live the way we truly want to.
How does this play out? Sometimes I make decisions that affect my finances, my work schedule, my garden, etc. I consider all of those things but I also weigh how much joy the decision would bring me. I recently took a last minute trip to Tobago, because I wanted to and also to bring joy to someone else. Yes, I paid higher airfare, yes, I had to shift things around on my calendar but also yes, it was completely worth it.
I am here to promote happiness as a valid reason for decisions that we make for ourselves, despite what others around us say and think. You don’t have to do things that are huge, it’s perfectly acceptable to start small. But normalize doing what you want in life, as long as it doesn’t compromise your priorities and responsibilities, according to you.
