Happy & Compassionate: Ways I am Finding Joy So I Can Help Others

These past two weeks of lockdown I have actually felt very happy. It seems very strange and sometimes I have felt bad for feeling so good amidst this global pandemic. However, I have learned in my life’s journey so far how important it is to feel your feelings and to really be with them on a daily basis. Not only are emotions like sadness and anger important to feel our way through, happiness is equally important for us to truly feel with our entire being.

By allowing ourselves to feel happy when we are, we show up in a positive way for others, we can serve others who are struggling because we can radiate light to them. From a place of happiness we are able to spread joy in the world just by being ourselves. By sharing our light, we are helping others get through these times. I truly believe this is so important.

During this time I have been regularly checking in on my friends. I make sure that we do video calls or phone calls to chat and see how they are doing during this time. I feel it’s so important to check in on those we care about because we know them well and we can feel deep compassion for whatever struggles they are going through. One friend expressed to me that she was feeling very down right now. My heart feels her sadness and I know that I can hold space for her by listening to her, by being a light for her.

This is a way I can be of service in these times. By focusing on what is right in the world, what makes me happy and lights me up, I have lots of space in my heart for compassion. This is the space I am holding for those that I know who are struggling. There are many people struggling with this situation who I don’t know. Through my writing and by reaching out with kind words, perhaps I can shine a little light into their day. That is my job right now.

I did struggle the first week as everything was so new. The first week I woke up in a panic every morning which I wasn’t used to. I poured my heart into my work, trying to help others through my Facebook group and more. I tried to go to lots of zoom meetings. Then, I had a very emotional breakdown and cried. I felt very alone and felt isolated from everyone. Seeing everyone on the meetings was actually not very helpful for me as I do much better with one on one meetings and small groups.

Zoom meetings with over 50 people were too much for me to handle. I decided to feel through my feelings, let it all out and listen to my heart. I decided to not attend any more large meetings. I decided to reach out to people one on one for virtual chats. I decided to limit my social media time only to groups where I truly could help people. This has made all of the difference in the world. I want to be there for those that are struggling, but I can’t be there for them if I am stressed, panicked and trying to do too much.

I have found joy in several things in the past two weeks. The greatest of all has been daily writing. I want to thank my colleague Melody Campbell for challenging me to write daily on medium. I also want to thank Dr. Mehmet Yildiz for accepting me as a writer for this amazing publication: Illumination. Over the past two weeks I have written articles on medium for Illumination and I have started to get to know so many amazing and talented writers and poets there. I feel truly honored to be in the company of such amazing writers. It is very inspiring to not only write my own articles but to enjoy reading everyone else’s articles. I truly value the beautiful synergy that is being created in this publication.

I have found joy in my daily walks and work in our garden. Every day it is a source of joy to me to see how the plants are growing and thriving, to see nature unfolding, to see the joyful colors of nature giving us a beautiful, hopeful, light-filled show to see just outside our door. I have enjoyed nurturing my flowers and vegetables as well as learning how to compost and how to care for all of my plants.

I have found immense joy in working alongside my husband and my son, all at the same dining table. Before this, I always worked alone at home while my husband went into the office and my son went to school. Now I have the opportunity to have co-workers. It is lovely because I love having people around me. I don’t feel so lonely every day, and I stay off of social media a lot more because I have people to talk to and relate to, right here. It is such a beautiful thing to have my loved ones here with me. I feel so very grateful to life.

With all of the joy and happiness that I feel right now, compassion is deep in my heart and soul for those struggling through these times of change and major shifts. I know that there will be a day that I too will find some struggles again in my journey and I will need to lean on my friends and loved ones at that time. Right now I can use my happiness and joy to feel compassion for others. I can use my joy to help others through the sadness and heartache they are feeling. Please know, if you are happy, that’s wonderful! If you are sad and struggling, that’s okay, we are here to help you through this.

With lots of love and light to all of you!

Trista

Follow me on Instagram @joyfuldecluttering and have an abundant day!