Choosing Joy

I had written this blog many times in my head over the last few months and just now, I sit down to put pen to paper. Or keys to keyboard. Or something.

Every year I like the idea of choosing a mantra, or collection of words, to serve as an inspiration through-out the year.

This year, as I pondered my catchphrase for 2020 (uh…yes…I realize it is March:), the answer became obvious. I actually chose the phrase in January. The inspiration was clear – my dear friend that passed away at the end of 2019 had posted her last post to Facebook with this simple image:

So choosing joy it is. This is a mantra I can get behind. I do believe that in life, we all have the opportunity and truthfully, the responsibility, to create a life we can love. This can look many different ways for different people.

But for me, I have learned a lot over the years about what makes me happy. So this year I kicked off with a renewed commitment to plan for a year that would choose joy each day.

Surrounding myself with people I love is an easy one. Planning adventures, recharge time, and memory making moments. Committing to work on some relationships that need work. I planned out college visits for my daughter. Planned a spring break adventure in Costa Rica for my family. Planned a once-in-a-lifetime trip to London for my original family – my parents and my sisters. Actually took a romantic get-away to Mexico with my husband in February. Planned an adventure hiking the Grand Canyon with my husband and dear friends. 2020 was going to be epic!

I also embraced a revitalized work chapter. Building a new team. Taking on new responsibility. Stepping up to some new challenges. Creating new relationships. I know I’m growing when I feel I’m in over my head. In a really good way. Time to take some risks, learn some new things, and push myself professionally.

And, with certainty, let’s keep learning. Purchased inspiring books. Found new podcasts to enjoy during my commute. Committed to girl time with women I love as friends who also have professional lives they lead with passion.

One of my great disappointments of 2019 was not hitting a few athletic goals. It honestly doesn’t matter to the universe. But I’ve enjoyed setting and hitting a few goals athletically the last few years. A bum leg sidelined my training unfortunately. I barely got in shape for a marathon but (smartly) dropped out at the half way point when I could no longer run without a limp. I had hoped this would be my redemption run. Even though I had technically qualified for the Boston Marathon last year, I missed a spot in the race by 20 seconds because too many others ran faster. Heartbreak. 20 seconds! And then I didn’t even finish my redemption run. So in 2020 I pledged to rightfully earn my spot.

These are just a few of the ways I committed to choosing joy in 2020. New adventures. Pushing myself to grow. Surrounding myself with people that bring me joy. Working to drop the unhealthy pressure or expectations we can all place on ourselves that hold us back in life.

And then the Coronavirus hit. What started as a whisper news story from China has completely taken over our lives in a few short months. We are now largely quarantined with just our immediate family. Trips are cancelled. We are working and learning from home. The world is small with social distancing our new normal. No races on the horizon. Controlling anxiety and panic are a real goal.

Choosing joy takes on all new meaning. I’m not sure what 2020 will end up like. But I know choosing joy became much more difficult than I could have ever imagined. Now I must look inward for joy – rather than relying on grand vacations, big adventures, or big memories with family and friends.

Today choosing joy looks like reading a great book. Playing a board game with my son. Coloring with my daughter. Eating a great meal with my family. Laughing over old memories. Good tunes. Going for a long run in the crisp, clean air – just because. Enjoying a moment of peace and quiet amidst competing screens.

This is what choosing joy looks like right now. The one thing I am reveling in is how much we will all change through this experience. Or how much we should all change.

I hope I never again take for granted sending my kids to school for their education. Inviting friends and family into our home – whenever we want. Having the opportunity to fly off to new adventures or my hometown. The certainty of health. Carefully choosing fresh fruit or flowers at the grocery store. Browsing neighborhood shops just because. Enjoying dinner out at a yummy restaurant. Meeting with co-workers face-to-face. Gathering with friends for book club, parties, get-aways, or for no reason. The community of a work-out class.

2020 is so different than expected. Choosing joy has taken on all new dimensions. But the beauty of a mantra is that it brings you back to center, encourages you to focus on turning the mantra into truth, and living it each day.

So here’s to choosing joy – in whatever form we can – everyday.