We come into this world with the capacity for sadness as part of our human nature, but finding joy requires conscious effort and dedication and learning to find how to co-exist with sadness.
You always help lift the veil of sadness I've been under Gurdeep as I've been dealing with the declining health of both my parents and my father's advancing dementia. I am very grateful for the lessons you've shard.
Thank you for your words. I appreciate how you have presented your circumstances in order for me to perhaps see sadness differently. When I dance, I have felt and always feel such joy!! I can have my sadness be alongside my ability to feel joy.
What a great article! One of your best. I'm bookmarking this one so I can come back and read it again when I need it. You've really spoken to the human condition with such wise advice. Thank you.
As I was reading through this, I found myself jumping ahead - you would say something and I would think, "I find that if I am able to contrast what I am feeling (eg - finding a small drop of humour in a situation that has contributed to grief and sadness, it helps me) ...and then you mention salt and sweet. I find that sadness creates an awareness of the beauty of small, seemingly insignificant things that can provide moments of joy even in the darkest of times .... and then you are saying something similar.
If I look back on my life, there are times when I never ever thought I would get through, and I understood profoundly that for some people ending the pain of deep sadness, no matter the cost, was all they wanted. I have been there, but it was often the smallest most insignificant thing that pulled me through that space: a memory, a small unexpected kindness, something I read that "spoke" to where I was at that moment, observing and sitting with the natural world, which is such s fourve of joy to me ... it was always the small things. Eventually I found that these small things were so abundant, that they were a constant reminder of the beauty of being alive.
Anyway, I am a long way along this journey now. I still experience sadness. It is part of the human condition, and there are always memories of the deep losses I have had, and the challenges I have faced, but there is contentment, and many moments of joy. I watch your dance videos every morning - and every time they bring a smile.
I have depression as a part of my makeup as a person, and when I was young, I did not have the tools. I'm 60 now, so I do not stop my feelings, but I do not allow the darkness to steal my light. I try , and succeed, every day, by spreading a little joy, a smile, a kind word, every day.
Sorry, I’m a little behind on reading your articles. More trouble has come my way. I’m looking for a new place to live as current group home is undesirable to say the least. Anyway, thank you for your article, Gurdeep! It’s well written! I know a lot about sadness. I have been severely depressed for the past 15 years. Thank you so much for sharing some of your life experiences with us readers! I shall learn from you and begin to embrace and try to understand my deep sadness. I’m at the beginning of therapy right now, I can afford to “listen” to my depression. If I fall apart at least my therapist can see me through till the next session. Happiness is so far out of my lens but I’ll try to find joy in the little things. Like, I seem to have some extra time on my hands recently. It’s wonderful to not be so busy. I love your dance & music! That’s another joy! Love you, Gurdeep! ❤️
My own experience with sadness and the tears that it can bring has been a journey that is worth taking. I think that in order to see sadness as a friend we need to unlearn some stereotypical doctrines of our society. As men we’ve been taught that whether you are sad or hurt tears from a man are a sign of weakness so we’re discouraged from behaving in a way that was acceptable for women. As men we’ve been taught to internalize our sorrow and “take it like a man”. This in itself may have contributed to many men not being able to express their emotions leading to broken relationships and families. Tears shed by a man were shameful signs that, “he can’t take it “ whatever “it” was so finding a way to deal with sadness and sorrow men sometimes use drugs, alcohol and other negative distractions to drown out the emotions that they were never taught to express or deal with. Our society is slowly coming to accept and acknowledge that men like women feel the same emotions that sometimes need to be expressed in tears. This will lead us to finding our joy and happiness as people, man and woman alike.
This one found me at a time when I needed to read it most. I haven’t kept up with much lately - life has overwhelmed me to the point I’ve felt helpless and hopeless in everything. After nearly two years of living like this, joy is fleeting and hard to find. But it’s still there in the smell of creosote bush after a desert rain. In the way one of the feral cats from my colony runs to me for pets every morning when I go out for work. In the feel and smell of fresh sheets dried in the desert sun every week. I’ve been a father, a soldier, an activist, a janitor, but finding peace is the hardest work I’ve ever done. From someone who lives in the OTHER extreme where it was 41°C today, thank you.
You always help lift the veil of sadness I've been under Gurdeep as I've been dealing with the declining health of both my parents and my father's advancing dementia. I am very grateful for the lessons you've shard.
Thank you for your words. I appreciate how you have presented your circumstances in order for me to perhaps see sadness differently. When I dance, I have felt and always feel such joy!! I can have my sadness be alongside my ability to feel joy.
What a great article! One of your best. I'm bookmarking this one so I can come back and read it again when I need it. You've really spoken to the human condition with such wise advice. Thank you.
Thank you for the very thoughtful post. Sadness is always close by. I admire your inspirational dancing and courage to find joy. 🙏🌞✌️
I feel the capacity for joy to the depth of sadness opens our hearts to live in a love of spirit connectedness ☮️
This is so touching that I can’t even put it into words. Thank you for your dance and philosophy practice. The world needs more
Gurdeep
As I was reading through this, I found myself jumping ahead - you would say something and I would think, "I find that if I am able to contrast what I am feeling (eg - finding a small drop of humour in a situation that has contributed to grief and sadness, it helps me) ...and then you mention salt and sweet. I find that sadness creates an awareness of the beauty of small, seemingly insignificant things that can provide moments of joy even in the darkest of times .... and then you are saying something similar.
If I look back on my life, there are times when I never ever thought I would get through, and I understood profoundly that for some people ending the pain of deep sadness, no matter the cost, was all they wanted. I have been there, but it was often the smallest most insignificant thing that pulled me through that space: a memory, a small unexpected kindness, something I read that "spoke" to where I was at that moment, observing and sitting with the natural world, which is such s fourve of joy to me ... it was always the small things. Eventually I found that these small things were so abundant, that they were a constant reminder of the beauty of being alive.
Anyway, I am a long way along this journey now. I still experience sadness. It is part of the human condition, and there are always memories of the deep losses I have had, and the challenges I have faced, but there is contentment, and many moments of joy. I watch your dance videos every morning - and every time they bring a smile.
Thank you for spreading joy.
I have depression as a part of my makeup as a person, and when I was young, I did not have the tools. I'm 60 now, so I do not stop my feelings, but I do not allow the darkness to steal my light. I try , and succeed, every day, by spreading a little joy, a smile, a kind word, every day.
Thank you, Gurdeep. Your writing centered me on a trying day. I’m choosing joy.
“This shift in perspective” is the key…
This is an exquisite deep dive. Bill’s friends tend to have this down, but you, dear writer, know how to put the sacred on the paper. Love this.
I am super broke right now. Would LOVE to support you financially and will do so when my life circumstances change. Thank you!
I see the potential for great prosperity in your future.
Thank you! Me too (:
Sorry, I’m a little behind on reading your articles. More trouble has come my way. I’m looking for a new place to live as current group home is undesirable to say the least. Anyway, thank you for your article, Gurdeep! It’s well written! I know a lot about sadness. I have been severely depressed for the past 15 years. Thank you so much for sharing some of your life experiences with us readers! I shall learn from you and begin to embrace and try to understand my deep sadness. I’m at the beginning of therapy right now, I can afford to “listen” to my depression. If I fall apart at least my therapist can see me through till the next session. Happiness is so far out of my lens but I’ll try to find joy in the little things. Like, I seem to have some extra time on my hands recently. It’s wonderful to not be so busy. I love your dance & music! That’s another joy! Love you, Gurdeep! ❤️
My own experience with sadness and the tears that it can bring has been a journey that is worth taking. I think that in order to see sadness as a friend we need to unlearn some stereotypical doctrines of our society. As men we’ve been taught that whether you are sad or hurt tears from a man are a sign of weakness so we’re discouraged from behaving in a way that was acceptable for women. As men we’ve been taught to internalize our sorrow and “take it like a man”. This in itself may have contributed to many men not being able to express their emotions leading to broken relationships and families. Tears shed by a man were shameful signs that, “he can’t take it “ whatever “it” was so finding a way to deal with sadness and sorrow men sometimes use drugs, alcohol and other negative distractions to drown out the emotions that they were never taught to express or deal with. Our society is slowly coming to accept and acknowledge that men like women feel the same emotions that sometimes need to be expressed in tears. This will lead us to finding our joy and happiness as people, man and woman alike.
I’m really loving your posts. They are a needed adjunct to my emotional well being and the path I am walking . Thank you
This one found me at a time when I needed to read it most. I haven’t kept up with much lately - life has overwhelmed me to the point I’ve felt helpless and hopeless in everything. After nearly two years of living like this, joy is fleeting and hard to find. But it’s still there in the smell of creosote bush after a desert rain. In the way one of the feral cats from my colony runs to me for pets every morning when I go out for work. In the feel and smell of fresh sheets dried in the desert sun every week. I’ve been a father, a soldier, an activist, a janitor, but finding peace is the hardest work I’ve ever done. From someone who lives in the OTHER extreme where it was 41°C today, thank you.