When Sadness Knocks At Our Hearts Like An Unwanted Visitor Seeking Tender Spots
Like choosing healthy food for our bodies, we must nourish our minds with emotional well-being - joy being the key ingredient for mental health.
As we approach the final days of 2024, there's a palpable sense of transition in the air, with a fresh new year waiting just around the corner to unfold its possibilities.
This year has proven particularly challenging for many people, as I've witnessed widespread distress stemming from various sources: the crushing weight of inflation, growing concerns about food security, widespread political upheaval, and the mounting pressure of housing costs. The global landscape has been especially turbulent - we began 2024 already bearing witness to one major conflict, and now we find ourselves concluding the year with two active wars, not to mention numerous other conflicts simmering across various regions of our planet.
Another troubling observation has been the increasing division between different cultural and social groups, accompanied by a noticeable surge in online animosity and hostile discourse.
The weight of these circumstances has created a pervasive atmosphere of melancholy.
Throughout my interactions and in the heartfelt correspondence I've received, I've encountered countless stories of people grappling with profound sadness. This emotional weight has become like a persistent companion in many lives, returning time and again with unwavering regularity. The sources of this sadness carry legitimate weight - our world currently faces numerous challenging circumstances that affect us all deeply.
Just yesterday, I came across a particularly moving newspaper article that highlighted the story of a mother who, along with her two children, was forced to relocate to a budget motel in the United States, unable to keep pace with escalating rental costs. Their new living situation requires them to prepare all their meals using only a microwave - a poignant illustration of the current economic challenges many face.
I deeply acknowledge how challenging it can be to discover moments of brightness when surrounded by such difficulties. When the world seems overwhelmed by numerous challenges, even the smallest glimmer of joy might appear insignificant or out of place.
Adding to these broader societal challenges, we're experiencing a shift in how relationships and friendships endure. The increasingly temporary nature of these connections introduces yet another layer of emotional complexity and potential for sadness.
I want to emphasize that even in these challenging times, joy remains within reach. Even when we find ourselves in the midst of our deepest sorrows and most challenging circumstances, moments of joy are still possible and vital. Through my own life journey and varied experiences, I have witnessed this truth manifest itself in truly remarkable and unexpected ways.
Sadness may knock at your heart's door many times throughout each passing day, like an uninvited guest persistently seeking entry to your most vulnerable and tender space. It arrives unannounced, with heavy footsteps and a familiar weight. But in your attention to these melancholic visitors, don't let them cause you to miss joy's gentle, quieter knock at your door—those precious, light-filled moments tend to come less frequently, appearing with softer footsteps and more hesitant hands, and you must learn to recognize and embrace them fully whenever they grace you with their presence.
Consider joy as your personal healer, an essential medicine necessary for maintaining mental wellness. Your mind plays an absolutely crucial role in your overall physical health. When mental well-being is compromised, even the most nutritious food or comprehensive physical care may prove ineffective. A content mind is fundamental to a healthy body, and this relationship works both ways.
To share a dose of joy with you today, I would like to present a heartwarming video that I captured during my recent adventures near the magnificent Yukon River. This footage, recorded in the pristine wilderness of the Yukon territory, showcases the raw beauty and tranquil moments that nature so generously provides to those who venture into her embrace.
It's essential to actively pursue activities that nurture mental happiness. Making this conscious effort is a vital part of maintaining emotional well-being.
Drawing from my own experience, I discovered that dedicating myself to teaching dance classes brought unexpected joy into my life. During a period of loneliness, this endeavour provided me with both a sense of community and physical movement - two elements that I've found to be essential ingredients in cultivating personal joy.
Just as we carefully select nutritious foods for our physical body at the grocery store, it's equally important to nourish your our with emotional sustenance - and joy serves as the most essential nutrient for mental well-being.
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Dear reader,
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Cheerfully,
Gurdeep
Approaching my eightieth birthday, I have taken the practice of finding every day something new or unfamiliar that gives me joy. Some of the things may not really be all that unfamiliar yet they show up as new. Discovering your work has been joy. I have loved bhangra dancing for a while now, which is how I came across you. Now, when I go for a walk, I try out some moves-it is much more fun than jumping rooe!
Thank you so much for these wise words- also watching you dance with such joy always brings me happiness!☺️