Joy in Dark Times

Hey everyone,

I hope you and your loved ones are healthy these days. Grief comes up in so many ways—so many places. Love and energy to those of you in California. For Leslie and I, we've had a couple friends and family members get challenging diagnoses recently. Grief does seem to help pull what's important to the surface.

Our friend Clare shared she's been finding solace in a book called ​'Wild Hope: Healing Words To Find Light On Dark Days' by Donna Ashworth​ (​@donnaashworthwords​). Leslie bought the book and we loved the first poem Clare texted us which is called 'Joy Chose You.'

I hope it resonates with you too,

Neil

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Joy Chose You

Written by Donna Ashworth

Joy does not arrive with a fanfare
on a red carpet strewn
with the flowers of a perfect life

joy sneaks in
as you pour a cup of coffee
watching the sun
hit your favourite tree
just right

and you usher joy away
because you are not ready for her
your house is not as it should be
for such a distinguished guest

but joy, you see
cares nothing for your messy home
or your bank balance
or your waistline

joy is supposed to slither through
the cracks of your imperfect life
that’s how joy works

you cannot truly invite her
you can only be ready
when she appears
and hug her with meaning
because in this very moment
joy chose you.

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Here's ​another poem​ that helps me focus on what's most important.

One of the best ways to be ready for joy? ​Practicing gratitude​.

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