Several years ago I heard about Marie Kondo. She is this super duper organizer queen who became known for this idea of “if it doesn’t bring you joy, get rid of it.” She also has these great ways to fold things that I still do to this day, but I digress. It is this idea of joy that really resonates with me.
My husband Carlos is a musician. Some of y’all know him from teaching at The Mat! He has not played in a band for many years. We’ve been doing the raising the kids thing and late nights out just were not for us. The kids are now 18 and 22, so even though we will never be done being parents, they don’t require as much of our time anymore. Carlos was invited to join an 80’s cover band recently. He played his first gig in I don’t want to count how many years. The picture of him is pure joy. Carlos has been working through the set list and figuring out the songs. He’s playing his guitar more now than he has in years. Music is Joy for Carlos. I went with several friends and our kids went with several friends. We all had a blast that night at a dive bar in Dallas watching Carlos have a blast on the stage. He did comment that it was a bit surreal seeing his kids in a bar watching him play! Sometimes my joy comes from watching people I love find theirs.
Here is another thing about joy. Carlos did teach yoga for a while. He was good at it, but it was not his thing. Just because you are good at something does not mean that you must do it. If it doesn’t bring you joy, make your heart happy, why are you doing it?
Futbal brings both of us great joy — Carlos has no choice being born into an Argentinian family! We couldn’t quite get to Buenos Aires for the world cup final, but the next best place was little Buenos Aires in Miami with a lot of Carlos’ family. In case you didn't know, Argentina won in one helluva dramatic game. Joy. So much Joy.
Find things that you love to do and go do them. This can be as simple as reading a book, going for a walk, or having a meal with a great friend. Life can be terribly challenging; let's all take a step back and find something that brings us Joy.
And yes, maybe it is even the way you fold your yoga pants.
Namaste, Elizabeth |