How to Find Joy When Life Feels Awful

|January 13, 2025|

Association Chat’s Question of the Week: Finding Joy in the Small Moments

This week, Association Chat’s Question of the Week invites you to reflect on something truly meaningful: What was a happy moment you experienced this past weekend?

In a world where challenges often seem to outweigh the good, taking a moment to focus on the positive can be an act of self-care and community connection.

Why is this important? Because when we focus on the positive—even when things are messy, stressful, or downright ugly—we’re actively choosing to reframe our mindset. It’s not about ignoring the challenges around us, but about seeking the light that exists alongside the darkness.

A Personal Reflection:

An illustration of a figure slumped over a table with ten swords piercing their back, symbolizing betrayal, collapse, or overwhelming defeat. The table features a burnt-out candle with smoke rising and an empty golden ring-shaped holder, adding a sense of finality and melancholy. The background is dark, enhancing the dramatic and somber atmosphere of the scene.

The Ten of Swords in the Tarot indicates a state of mind of maximum suffering, and a sense of total defeat. However, ten being the last number, it portends a rebirth, a new cycle that will open after this energy. Vector illustration

I’ll be honest: the past few days haven’t been the easiest. Norovirus and walking pneumonia cases are escalating in my area, and it seems like everyone is getting sick. I’m not feeling physically fantastic myself.

This Monday morning, I also discovered all the links to my online magazines need updating. All of them. (By the way if you want to read Issue 1 or Issue 2 of Association Chat Magazine, please use this new link for Issue 1 and this new link for Issue 2! And also subscribe! It’s FREE!)

An email automation I worked hard to set up isn’t functioning properly. Gotta fix that.

My marketing colleague broke his rib snowboarding this past weekend. He’s clearly not feeling his personal best.

Honestly, it’s all felt a bit overwhelming and the week is just getting started.

But here’s the thing: I’m still thankful.

I’m thankful for the meaningful projects I’m working on, which allow me to flex my strengths and creativity. I’m thankful for the incredible colleagues who have my back. I’m thankful for the fun events on my calendar and the third issue of my magazine, which is coming together beautifully.

And most of all, I’m thankful for the moments of joy that remind me why I keep going. One such moment came this past weekend when I watched my daughter Margaux perform her International Thespian Society troop duet she’ll be using for the New Jersey state competition. She’s a fantastic singer and performer, and seeing her shine was the highlight of my week.

A picture from her performance is my happy photo moment to share.

Acknowledging the Bigger Picture

Even as I navigate these personal struggles, I’m reminded that my challenges are small compared to the devastating and deeply concerning events happening in California right now. The ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles have destroyed homes, uprooted lives, and taken a toll that’s hard to fathom. My heart goes out to those affected by these tragedies, and it’s a sobering reminder of how precious and fragile life is.

Why Focus on the Good?

Gratitude and joy don’t erase the hard parts of life, but they give us the strength to face them. They remind us of what matters and help us connect with others. By sharing our joyful moments—whether big or small—we inspire others to look for the light in their own lives. We build a community grounded in shared humanity and hope.

A silhouette of a performer, standing on a dimly lit stage, with soft blue curtains illuminated in the background. The lighting casts a dramatic and ethereal glow, creating a serene contrast between the deep blues and blacks of the scene. Audience members in shadow are visible in the foreground, clapping in appreciation.

A beautiful moment from this past weekend: my daughter performing on stage. Her silhouette against the glowing blue backdrop was mesmerizing, and the applause reminded me how joy can shine through even in the darkest times.

So, what brought a smile to your face this weekend? Was it a quiet moment with a loved one, a personal victory, or something as simple as a beautiful sunset?

Share your story with us in the Facebook Group, LinkedIn Group, or in the comments below. Together, let’s celebrate the moments that make life worth it.

Sometimes life feels like the 10 of Swords all coming at you at one time—overwhelming and heavy. But even in moments like these, there’s an opportunity to rise again and find the light.

Here’s to finding and sharing joy!