I have found joy in wildly unexpected places. I became disabled as an adult, and if you had told me what my life was going to look like years ago, I would have hated every word coming out of your mouth. But today my world is full of joy, a fact that no longer surprises me because I know where to look for it and I also know where to let it go. As a kid, I was always interested in odd, weird, and strange things.<\/em> I found joy in things that other kids thought were unusual, like bugs, the stars, and magic. In a way, I guess this set the stage for following my own path to joy, without being too weighed down by what others thought. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the world puts so many invisible pressures upon us, in ways that I didn\u2019t even realize until I was forced to really look. The idea that getting out of your comfort zone will always be a good thing isn\u2019t actually true for us all. Some of us need to know what we\u2019re getting into in order to feel safe. There are introverts who do not derive joy from the things that their extrovert friends do. There are people who will be most at ease and feel the most validated by simple words of affirmation, and some who need a grand gesture to feel matched in their sincerity. And that\u2019s okay. The key is forgetting what we\u2019ve been taught to want, and asking ourselves what we actually want instead. I think you\u2019ll be surprised by the deviations, and how looking closely can move you closer to an authentic form of joy. That\u2019s the theme of this week\u2019s Daily Focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c’Without pain, how could we know joy?’ This is an old argument in the field of thinking about suffering and its stupidity and lack of sophistication could be plumbed for centuries but suffice it to say that the existence of broccoli does not, in any way, affect the taste of chocolate.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> –John Green<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I love this quote for flipping the script, but I think that\nin a way, both can be true. Sometimes, at our highest moments, we look back and\ncan appreciate what we\u2019ve been through\u2014but at the same time, joy does not\nrequire pain to be sweet, to be fulfilling. In fact, it tastes the same\nregardless of what came before it. One person\u2019s joy is not less for not having\nsuffered. So, this week, and always, allow yourself to take the small moments\nwhen you can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe most wasted of all days is one without laughter.\u201d<\/em><\/strong>\n–Nicolas Chamfort<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s cheesy, it\u2019s clich\u00e9, but it\u2019s also true. Laughter\nheals, laughter connects, laughter bridges gaps. It\u2019s one of the greatest\ngifts, and we deserve to seek it out and bask in it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you do things from your soul, you feel a river\nmoving in you, a joy.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> –Rumi<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n This quote feels basic, leaving a lot of room for\ninterpretation, but here\u2019s the truth at the center of it: what brings you joy\nmight be something other people really don\u2019t understand. There is a reason that\nhumans all over the world collect things. It feels good. We have special\ninterests that sometimes can be embarrassing. But really, who cares? If antique\ncookie jars are the thing that moves the river of joy through you, then you\ndeserve all of the cookie jars in the world. It\u2019s okay if it only makes sense\nto you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOne can never consent to creep when one feels an\nimpulse to soar.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> –Helen Keller<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n You will know the things that bring you joy because you will\ngravitate toward them, and they will move you. If you\u2019re dragging your feet\nthrough everything lately, it\u2019s time to branch out. Try adding in new things or\nswapping out the way you attack challenges. Find whatever makes you soar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cComparison is the death of joy.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> –Mark\nTwain<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be easy to feel less than<\/em> when you\u2019re comparing yourself to the cultivated and curated image others present of their lives. Social media makes this easier than ever and learning to stop comparing can be so challenging when the images are constantly thrown in your face. But nobody is the same, and odds are that even in someone else’s shoes\u2014you would be doing things very differently and finding joy in very different places. Don\u2019t compare yourself to others when your own journey is rich and powerful as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf we can just let go and trust that things will work\nout the way they’re supposed to, without trying to control the outcome, then we\ncan begin to enjoy the moment more fully. The joy of the freedom it brings\nbecomes more pleasurable than the experience itself.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> –Goldie\nHawn<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Planning for and trying to cage joy in can backfire.\nSometimes, all we can do is push through life and let joy find us. If you\u2019re\nfeeling like you\u2019re out of options for making changes, take the time today to\nnote what makes you smile, and lean in when you can. Let joy come find you for\na bit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJoy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> –Pierre\nTeilhard de Chardin<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n God, the Universe, Spirit, Community\u2014however you define the spiritual and supernatural, it\u2019s easy to feel connected to it when you\u2019re experiencing joy. There is a higher level of peace and wonder that comes, not from having the cosmic answers, but by being brave enough to simply ask the cosmic questions. <\/p>\n\n\n Want to build a better future? A life path reading<\/strong><\/a> with one of our talented life path psychics<\/strong><\/a> can tell you where you\u2019re headed. And if you don\u2019t like where you\u2019re headed, your life path psychic<\/strong><\/a> can steer you down a better path.<\/p>\n Find a life path psychic<\/strong><\/a> or learn more about a life path reading<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n About California Psychics<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n California Psychics is the most trusted source of <\/span><\/i>psychic readings<\/span><\/i><\/a>. We have delivered over <\/span><\/i>11 million<\/span><\/i> discreet and confidential psychic readings by phone since 1995. More than a prediction, we are your guide for life\u2019s journey. Learn more about <\/span><\/i>how psychic readings work<\/span><\/i><\/a> and explore the <\/span><\/i>California Psychics blog<\/span><\/i><\/a>. With over<\/span><\/i> 500 <\/span><\/i>psychics online to choose from with <\/span><\/i>real customer reviews<\/span><\/i><\/a>, you\u2019re sure to find the best psychics for you. Call one of our trusted and accurate psychics today! Confidential and secure, real psychics, accurate predictions, 100% guaranteed. <\/span><\/i><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Understanding Your Daily Focus I have found joy in wildly unexpected places. I became disabled as an adult, and if you had told me what my life was going to look like years ago, I would have hated every word coming out of your mouth. But today my world is full of joy, a fact that no longer surprises me because I know where to look for it and I also know where to let it go. As a kid, I was always interested in odd, weird, and strange things. I found joy in things that other kids thought were unusual, like bugs, the stars, and magic. In a way, I guess this set the stage for following my own path to joy, without being too weighed down by what others thought. However, the world puts so many invisible pressures upon us, in ways that I didn\u2019t even realize until I was forced to really look. The idea that getting out of your comfort zone will always be a good thing isn\u2019t actually true for us all. Some of us need to know what we\u2019re getting into in order to feel safe. There are introverts who do not derive joy from the things that their extrovert friends do. There are people who will be most at ease and feel the most validated by simple words of affirmation, and some who need a grand gesture to feel matched in their sincerity. And that\u2019s okay. The key is forgetting what we\u2019ve been taught to want, and asking ourselves what we actually want instead. I think you\u2019ll be surprised by the deviations, and how looking closely can move you closer to an authentic form of joy. That\u2019s the theme of this week\u2019s Daily Focus. Saturday, January 29 \u201c’Without pain, how could we know joy?’ This is an old argument in the field of thinking about suffering and its stupidity and lack of sophistication could be plumbed for centuries but suffice it to say that the existence of broccoli does not, in any way, affect the taste of chocolate.\u201d –John Green I love this quote for flipping the script, but I think that in a way, both can be true. Sometimes, at our highest moments, we look back and can appreciate what we\u2019ve been through\u2014but at the same time, joy does not require pain to be sweet, to be fulfilling. In fact, it tastes the same regardless of what came before it. One person\u2019s joy is not less for not having suffered. So, this week, and always, allow yourself to take the small moments when you can. Sunday, January 30 \u201cThe most wasted of all days is one without laughter.\u201d –Nicolas Chamfort It\u2019s cheesy, it\u2019s clich\u00e9, but it\u2019s also true. Laughter heals, laughter connects, laughter bridges gaps. It\u2019s one of the greatest gifts, and we deserve to seek it out and bask in it. Monday, January 31 \u201cWhen you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.\u201d –Rumi This quote feels basic, leaving a lot of room for interpretation, but here\u2019s the truth at the center of it: what brings you joy might be something other people really don\u2019t understand. There is a reason that humans all over the world collect things. It feels good. We have special interests that sometimes can be embarrassing. But really, who cares? If antique cookie jars are the thing that moves the river of joy through you, then you deserve all of the cookie jars in the world. It\u2019s okay if it only makes sense to you. Tuesday, February 1 \u201cOne can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.\u201d –Helen Keller You will know the things that bring you joy because you will gravitate toward them, and they will move you. If you\u2019re dragging your feet through everything lately, it\u2019s time to branch out. Try adding in new things or swapping out the way you attack challenges. Find whatever makes you soar. Wednesday, February 2 \u201cComparison is the death of joy.\u201d –Mark Twain It can be easy to feel less than when you\u2019re comparing yourself to the cultivated and curated image others present of their lives. Social media makes this easier than ever and learning to stop comparing can be so challenging when the images are constantly thrown in your face. But nobody is the same, and odds are that even in someone else’s shoes\u2014you would be doing things very differently and finding joy in very different places. Don\u2019t compare yourself to others when your own journey is rich and powerful as well. Thursday, February 3 \u201cIf we can just let go and trust that things will work out the way they’re supposed to, without trying to control the outcome, then we can begin to enjoy the moment more fully. The joy of the freedom it brings becomes more pleasurable than the experience itself.\u201d –Goldie Hawn Planning for and trying to cage joy in can backfire. Sometimes, all we can do is push through life and let joy find us. If you\u2019re feeling like you\u2019re out of options for making changes, take the time today to note what makes you smile, and lean in when you can. Let joy come find you for a bit. Friday, February 4 \u201cJoy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.\u201d –Pierre Teilhard de Chardin God, the Universe, Spirit, Community\u2014however you define the spiritual and supernatural, it\u2019s easy to feel connected to it when you\u2019re experiencing joy. There is a higher level of peace and wonder that comes, not from having the cosmic answers, but by being brave enough to simply ask the cosmic questions. Want to build a better future? A life path reading with one of our talented life path psychics can tell you where you\u2019re headed. And if you don\u2019t like where you\u2019re headed, your life path psychic can steer you down a better path. Find a life path psychic or learn more about a life path reading. \u00a0 About California…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5961050,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7360],"tags":[33908,13736,3060,88],"cp_author":[34322],"class_list":["post-5960985","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destiny-life-path","tag-daily-focus","tag-daily-meditation","tag-mantra","tag-meditation","cp_author-juliet-demarco"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSaturday, January 29 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sunday, January 30 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Monday, January 31 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tuesday, February 1 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wednesday, February 2 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Thursday, February 3 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Friday, February 4 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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