In the words of Cyndie Spiegel author of the book Microjoys. “Microjoys are the hidden wisdom, long-ago memories, subtle treasures, and ordinary delights that surround us: A polka-dot glass on a thrift store shelf. A dear friend’s kindness at just the right time. The neighborhood spice shop. A beloved family tradition. The simple quietude of being in love.”
The line “peace from pieces” comes from the book of the same name by Iyanla Vanzant. She writes “someone gets clear enough to break the pattern and pave the way to healing.”. Life’s stresses will happen there’s no avoiding it, it’s our choice to consciously seek out Microjoys in tough times.
Last week while on vacation (on the first morning in one of my favorite cities) my Son, God-daughter and I walked to the car playfully bantering and enjoying a beautiful morning. The closer we got to the car I knew something didn’t feel right….
I arrived to a broken car window 🫣. As the kids looked at me terrified and I looked at them, I chose to consciously pull from this book. In this moment I can overly stress out, or lean in and find joy. I immediately made the first joke “well at least they didn’t take the umbrella” and the kids and I all began giggling together. After I called my husband still laughing a bit his first reaction was “how are you so calm”. I knew it was allowing myself the fortitude to know this moment is fleeting, we’re all well, no one was hurt and the window can be replaced. What we can’t replace, is this time together that we will remember either positively or negatively.
We took the right next steps while collectively still finding joy in our favorite city. We found joy in the new loaner car we zipped around the City in (learning I really like a hybrids), we found joy in our outdoor surroundings (hello city living), we found joy in the movie nights on the computer screen huddled on the hotel couch, we found joy in the perfect service recovery perks by Marriott, I even found joy in the surprisingly good coffee at the car repair.
In this situation I was able to practice mindful and conscious Microjoys in a tough situation. This experience taught me so much. Most importantly, resilience doesn’t have to be just overcoming pain, but can also be a trigger to find joy in the moment of pain. Those joys are just possibly is right in front of you. The kids and I will always have that umbrella joke, and not just simply a fleeting painful moment.
Microjoys can be found everywhere, not just in tough times. No matter where I am the world I am walking into a public library always gives me a dopamine rush. The smell of books and seeing Myself surrounded by knowledge floods me with curiosity comfort at the same time. Knowledge truly is powerful.
Take a moment to identify a micro joy in your life and hold onto it. Anchor that moment and pull from it when you need it most.
It’s the little things……. –India Arie
J