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!
Thanks for your very timely writings, Gurdeep. I have struggled from early in my life with sadness, and sometimes it seems that a 'smear' of sadness is always there, and won't disappear. I've decided I'll be reinforcing my heart's door with more moments of joyful movement, and friendly connections. Physical health, emotional health, psychological health - all through moments of joy. Cheers.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Celia! I'm delighted that you're planning to strengthen your heart through more joyful movement. This is truly one of the best approaches. While sadness is an integral part of our humanity—and it's perfectly fine when it appears—finding healing through joy can be simultaneously wonderful.
I think that our anxiety about things we can’t control in the world like wars, famine and homelessness are directly tied to our sadness as you state Gurdeep.
I realize that unpleasant situations that exist in our world must be acknowledged by all peoples in the world as elements of our humanity that we collectively must curtail and ultimately eliminate.
However as an individual I must survive mentally and physically in order to play a role in finding positive solutions in small ways to perpetuate my own happiness and joy. I can’t solve the world’s problems on my own therefore I do not internalize the sadness that stems from them. Doing this enables me to have a clear vision on my own abilities to cope with the uncertainties that usually accompany negativity.
We must stay focused on our own mental and emotional needs in order to help others work toward mending our humanity. This reminds me of instructions the airlines give you when explaining how to deal with the deployment of oxygen masks on board a plane in an emergency, if you are seated with a child or someone that is not able to put their oxygen mask on you are supposed to put yours on first. This seemingly selfish act will allow you to help the person or people that are not able to help themselves.
Our lives cannot be perfect, so the endless battles we face will always be present, battles we must face with strength and empathy. Facing the collateral damage that negative world events cause may they be sadness, anxieties or uncertainty requires the ability to have your own strategies in place to cope.
Hi Nick, your comment truly resonates with me. The airline safety instructions analogy perfectly illustrates why we must tend to our own mental health before helping others. I completely agree that we all have a role to play in fostering this understanding within our society. Thanks for your wonderful thoughts!
I have been weighted down by the heart wrenching and dismal prospects with the coming change of administrations in Washington. It has affected not only my mood but my ability to sleep through the night peacefully. I have had nightmares that have jolted me awake screaming such that my husband has to keep saying “you’re safe” until I gather my senses and calm down. Today I went to a movie with my granddaughter and one line caught my attention: the light traveling to us may have taken minutes or perhaps even billions of years to reach our eyes. In that time, the star may have exploded and is no more yet we continue to see the light. It tells me that though conditions here are unstable, liable to explode at any moment, I have a choice. I can look to the light that is and always will be there for me. Simple thought but big implications.
Dear Melissa, I'm sorry to hear you've been struggling with sleep. It warms my heart to know your husband has been so supportive during these difficult times. Thank you for drawing that beautiful parallel between life and stars—it's profound how we can still see the light of stars that have long since faded. Your perspective that we can choose to focus on light even when everything seems to be falling apart is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing this wisdom.
I'm turning 70 on Friday 1/3. I approach each day with a smile and look for the good in everyone and everything. There is always something new to learn and experience. If you remain young in your head and your heart, you'll never grow old and disillusioned.
Beautifully stated and so true. These things have been weighing me down as well but it is so important to pay attention and focus on those bright moments, no matter how small they may seem. Wishing you a bright and joy filled new year!
While reading the article, my mind kept drifting to those moments when it felt as though heavy dumbbells were weighing down on my chest and brain, and the darkness seemed endless. But as you mentioned, joy often comes in quieter, more subtle ways…and that’s when I discovered that walking helps me find that joy.
I felt deeply for the woman and her children who had to leave their home due to the rental costs.
But as the article came to a close, your Bhangra video completely transformed the mood in my mind! I was wondering…could you perform to the music of this song “ https://youtu.be/kSHZDF8oVE4?si=3TVZw9XKUL249Dmj “ It might be a bit of an unusual request, but I really love the music—it’s so catchy!
Thank you for your feedback, Manu! I'm delighted that the article's later sections helped lift the initial heaviness and restored your joy. It's wonderful that you find such joy in walking. Thank you for sharing that beautiful, uplifting song with me. Much appreciated.
Thank you so much for this important reminder. When I am weighed down by sadness I forget the accessibility of joy. I needed this message today. Thank you for spreading so much joy, friend. 🙏 You are such a bright light.
I just signed onto this list. I'm turning 70 soon, and have been working at writing down things to be grateful for. I will now also watch for the joyful visitor!
Thank you, Gurdeep. I have been following you since you danced into so many aching hearts during the Covid 19 pandemic. Thank you for teaching us how to cultivate and experience joy. I work with a publisher based in Boston and would love to talk with you about publishing a book. If you're interested, please message me or email me at ksroach@justhorizons.org. THANK YOU! https://wildhousepublishing.com/
I would love to learn the dance you do in your videos. Then I want to do the dance in beautiful natural environments, not to film them or display them, but for the sheer joy from doing them. Bless you for your optimism and kindness.
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!
Thanks for your comment, Frances! So great that you take time to go for a walk and try out some moves!
Thank you so much for these wise words- also watching you dance with such joy always brings me happiness!☺️
Thank you, Claire!
Thanks for your very timely writings, Gurdeep. I have struggled from early in my life with sadness, and sometimes it seems that a 'smear' of sadness is always there, and won't disappear. I've decided I'll be reinforcing my heart's door with more moments of joyful movement, and friendly connections. Physical health, emotional health, psychological health - all through moments of joy. Cheers.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Celia! I'm delighted that you're planning to strengthen your heart through more joyful movement. This is truly one of the best approaches. While sadness is an integral part of our humanity—and it's perfectly fine when it appears—finding healing through joy can be simultaneously wonderful.
I think that our anxiety about things we can’t control in the world like wars, famine and homelessness are directly tied to our sadness as you state Gurdeep.
I realize that unpleasant situations that exist in our world must be acknowledged by all peoples in the world as elements of our humanity that we collectively must curtail and ultimately eliminate.
However as an individual I must survive mentally and physically in order to play a role in finding positive solutions in small ways to perpetuate my own happiness and joy. I can’t solve the world’s problems on my own therefore I do not internalize the sadness that stems from them. Doing this enables me to have a clear vision on my own abilities to cope with the uncertainties that usually accompany negativity.
We must stay focused on our own mental and emotional needs in order to help others work toward mending our humanity. This reminds me of instructions the airlines give you when explaining how to deal with the deployment of oxygen masks on board a plane in an emergency, if you are seated with a child or someone that is not able to put their oxygen mask on you are supposed to put yours on first. This seemingly selfish act will allow you to help the person or people that are not able to help themselves.
Our lives cannot be perfect, so the endless battles we face will always be present, battles we must face with strength and empathy. Facing the collateral damage that negative world events cause may they be sadness, anxieties or uncertainty requires the ability to have your own strategies in place to cope.
Hi Nick, your comment truly resonates with me. The airline safety instructions analogy perfectly illustrates why we must tend to our own mental health before helping others. I completely agree that we all have a role to play in fostering this understanding within our society. Thanks for your wonderful thoughts!
I have been weighted down by the heart wrenching and dismal prospects with the coming change of administrations in Washington. It has affected not only my mood but my ability to sleep through the night peacefully. I have had nightmares that have jolted me awake screaming such that my husband has to keep saying “you’re safe” until I gather my senses and calm down. Today I went to a movie with my granddaughter and one line caught my attention: the light traveling to us may have taken minutes or perhaps even billions of years to reach our eyes. In that time, the star may have exploded and is no more yet we continue to see the light. It tells me that though conditions here are unstable, liable to explode at any moment, I have a choice. I can look to the light that is and always will be there for me. Simple thought but big implications.
Dear Melissa, I'm sorry to hear you've been struggling with sleep. It warms my heart to know your husband has been so supportive during these difficult times. Thank you for drawing that beautiful parallel between life and stars—it's profound how we can still see the light of stars that have long since faded. Your perspective that we can choose to focus on light even when everything seems to be falling apart is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing this wisdom.
I'm turning 70 on Friday 1/3. I approach each day with a smile and look for the good in everyone and everything. There is always something new to learn and experience. If you remain young in your head and your heart, you'll never grow old and disillusioned.
Hello Stephanie, thank you for your comment. You're absolutely right—if you keep your mind and heart young, you'll never grow old and disillusioned.
Beautifully stated and so true. These things have been weighing me down as well but it is so important to pay attention and focus on those bright moments, no matter how small they may seem. Wishing you a bright and joy filled new year!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and perspective. I wish you a joyful and wonderful new year ahead.
Thank you so much! Your message was/is so needed. I find joy in watching you dance! Happy New Year of new possibilities.
Thank you, Kate! Happy New Year to you too!
You always have such a positive spin on things, your positivity is reassuring and contagious, what the world needs. Never stop dancing!🕺
Thank you so much, Belinda, for your kind words!
Thank you for writing this, Gurdeep!
While reading the article, my mind kept drifting to those moments when it felt as though heavy dumbbells were weighing down on my chest and brain, and the darkness seemed endless. But as you mentioned, joy often comes in quieter, more subtle ways…and that’s when I discovered that walking helps me find that joy.
I felt deeply for the woman and her children who had to leave their home due to the rental costs.
But as the article came to a close, your Bhangra video completely transformed the mood in my mind! I was wondering…could you perform to the music of this song “ https://youtu.be/kSHZDF8oVE4?si=3TVZw9XKUL249Dmj “ It might be a bit of an unusual request, but I really love the music—it’s so catchy!
Thank you for your feedback, Manu! I'm delighted that the article's later sections helped lift the initial heaviness and restored your joy. It's wonderful that you find such joy in walking. Thank you for sharing that beautiful, uplifting song with me. Much appreciated.
Thank you so much for this important reminder. When I am weighed down by sadness I forget the accessibility of joy. I needed this message today. Thank you for spreading so much joy, friend. 🙏 You are such a bright light.
Thank you, Kelly, for sharing your thoughts! I truly appreciate your response and am relieved that the message resonated with you today.
I just signed onto this list. I'm turning 70 soon, and have been working at writing down things to be grateful for. I will now also watch for the joyful visitor!
Hi Lee! Thank you for your comment! I'm delighted to hear you've been keeping a gratitude journal. That's truly one of the best approaches.
There is so much truth in what you say. Thank you
Thank you, Marie!
Thank you for the reminder that despite what is going on around us, we can still focus on Joy. Even the tiny glimmers - M.
Thank you, Michele, for sharing your kind feedback! Much appreciated.
Thank you, Gurdeep. I have been following you since you danced into so many aching hearts during the Covid 19 pandemic. Thank you for teaching us how to cultivate and experience joy. I work with a publisher based in Boston and would love to talk with you about publishing a book. If you're interested, please message me or email me at ksroach@justhorizons.org. THANK YOU! https://wildhousepublishing.com/
I would love to learn the dance you do in your videos. Then I want to do the dance in beautiful natural environments, not to film them or display them, but for the sheer joy from doing them. Bless you for your optimism and kindness.