Writing about JOY each week has been a magnificent spiritual practice.
Some weeks are easy. In fact, it is difficult to focus on one place I found joy.
Some weeks are hard, that might actually be the best time for this practice. I MUST change my lens, practice gratitude and find the clarity in the situation.
I am so grateful for those of you who have come along for the journey! Our conversations help move me deeper into a topic. It reminds me of the Anne Sexton quote “The joy that isn't shared dies young.” When we share our joy, it continues, perseveres, becomes contagious.
When I started this Substack, I hoped to discover that this is a topic others long for too. That in a world that seems to reward, or at least click, on the negative, there had to people who strove for joy. I told myself if the Substack reached 1k subscribers, I’d know this was worthwhile endeavor and move toward the next step.
I am now just 10 subscribers short of 1k!
Thank you all! For sharing these posts. For liking them on social media. For getting the word out there.
For the next 6 weeks, I will write a book proposal on Undaunted Joy! This book will be a collection of essays on finding joy in the ordinary. I’d like to take the good work we’ve done here and explore even more. I am already having a blast.
I hope the book proposal will find a home with a publisher in the New Year.
Don’t worry! This Substack will continue to be up and running. In fact, it is the heart of the work! It is where I can explore these ideas with you. We can encourage and infect each other with Joy! None of this works without you. Joy isn’t meant to be hoarded or hidden—or as Mary Oliver said “Joy is not meant to be a crumb!”
Thank you especially to those of you who have upgraded to a paid subscription. You enable me to spend more time on joy, instead of hustling on freelance pieces each month to make my student loan payment.
Please consider becoming a paid subscriber. For the price of a couple of coffee, you will receive joy in your inbox every Sunday morning instead of bimonthly.
Until next week!
Yah! You increase my joy every week. What a gift you are. Can’t wait to read the book.
Good luck with the book proposal! If it helps, tell them I'll definitely be buying a copy 🤣
Love your posts and am praying over this new book, because we all need more JOY!