In Search of Joy

At a party earlier this month I met a lady who is recently retired. In conversation I asked the question “so have you any plans?” In amongst a list of hobbies to explore was a line that has got me thinking. She talked about doing something that gives her joy. Now the word joy is not talked about often. So we had a good chat about what things could bring her joy. It turns out that many of the groups she is involved in, whilst worthy, are not full of joy, not joyful. 

‘joy, a feeling of pleasure and happiness’ is one dictionary definition. That conversation led me on to reflect on what things in my life give me joy and what is it that makes something joyful. The irony, as I thought more about it, is that if you do have to think “is this giving me joy” then the answer will almost certainly be “no”. Joy is something that lifts the spirits, brings a smile to your face in a way that is instinctive, natural, instant. It is not something that others may judge as important, it is not a result of doing something worthy. It cannot always be planned, in fact it is more likely to happen when you least expect it. 

Why is this important you may ask. Our lives are structured by routine, our world as presented through the narrow lens of the news and social media is serious, a vision devoid of joy. Sometimes it is healthy for us to break away from the structures of daily life and incessant gloomy news and embrace a moment of joy.

For two years C and I have been discussing and planning what to do with a wall in our sitting room. As the single largest uninterrupted surface in the house we wanted to make good use of it. Having been inspired by a hotel bar wall on Jura, we settled on a map wall. Time passed. Finally last Sunday we put it up after months of debate and weeks of discussions with the supplier. A second edition ordnance survey one inch to the mile map of the central Highlands. It shows some of our favourite hills we’ve climbed, one of the world’s most beautiful railway journeys and a view of that part of the Highlands before the age of the motor car. Every time I walk past it I think “wow” and cannot stop smiling. It, put simply, gives me joy.

There are, like with you, other things in my life that give me joy. The trick is to pause and notice them. Not rush on through this madcap world we live in.

So as I finish this blog on a bus rattling through Edinburgh on a dark morning, with dawn approaching, I hope you all find some joy this week. And take time to notice it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seeing things through a lens

I am currently working with two pairs of glasses while my old pair are being re-lensed. Nothing remarkable about that you may think and, on one level, you would be right. However the very act of swapping between the pairs has got me thinking. And working.

In this world of division and strife I have for this past week been literally and figuratively swapping lenses, and it’s been a fascinating experience. Take the current trials of the royal family. On one level it could be summed up by saying this is a primary example of how those in the public eye put a disproportionate emphasis on how they are presented by social media. A snowflake generation that cannot cope with criticism. Albeit often anonymous, nasty and unbalanced criticism.

So using another lens I asked someone who I suspected would help provide an alternative view. And I learnt that not only is the north american press less scathing than here in the UK but in the case of Meghan Markle you have someone who for years has judged and been judged on their success of their job simply through the lens of journalists and social media.

The following day I came across a podcast with the title of A Guide to Disagreeing Better. In it, citizen assemblies held in Ireland were discussed with some of those people who have taken part. And what emerged as a central theme was not just how difficult, but also how vital it is to hear alternative views. If we are to reach an informed view of what surrounds us in the world, then we will have to make ourselves informed. Using the analogy of my two pairs of glasses this cannot be achieved by wearing one pair of lenses only.

So what’s this got to do with physical health and fitness I hear you ask? Well, when it comes to mental fitness it has a correlation. You may remember a blog I wrote on the importance of connecting with people. In doing so, if you have an enquiring mind and are lucky, you will hear divergent opinions, fresh insights. Did you see what I did with that last sentence? Divergent opinions, fresh insights. That’s two different ways of describing hearing a viewpoint that differs from your own perspective. Two sets of spectacles. This changing perspective is addictive!

So so the next time I hear something that sparks my inner rant, I will remember my two pairs of spectacles and reach out to engage with and hear the alternative view. Hopefully I will not only become more informed but my blood pressure will benefit too!