Wylde Women’s Wisdom
It is fatuous to think that once we solve an issue it stays solved; that once we learn, we always remain conscious ever after. If we could realize that the work is to keep doing the work, we would be much more fierce and much more peaceful. To stay with joy, we sometimes have to fight for it. Clarissa Pinkola-Estes
What does it look like – fighting for joy? Is that an oxymoron? How can you fight and be joyful?
I wish I had the answer(s). As this is the quote for the day and I have committed to saying something about the quote, it seems I need to say a bit more than “I wish I had the answer(s).”
The poet Hafiz says: “I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.”
“Lonely or in darkness” is a good definition for not being in joy. He suggests that if we could see ourselves we would see how beautiful and powerful we are, and that we have all we need to do whatever it is we need to do.
You may or may not be ready to invest in that idea, depending on whether or not you are currently in the middle of joy or the deep darks. But it’s a great quote to keep in front of you to remind you that *this too shall pass*. I visited the concept of life spiraling back in 2011 on Youtube – if you like visuals, click through and watch my short.
If you know joy is coming back, can you hold on to that thought while you wait?
I’m starting to think that making it through the down in life is all about questions and possibilities. I don’t think one size fits all, that’s there’s a touch of arrogance in anyone who says there is (and for sure they are currently in the joy phase where there are rainbows, unicorns and pots of gold).
So here’s a suggestion: understanding that “this too shall pass,” when you are in a joyful phase, pay attention to the things that pump up that joy, higher and higher. Are they replicable? Take note and keep that information readily available and visible for emergencies.
When you are making choices, lean in to what feels better (of all the miserable choices you believe you have in front of you, one will feel better. Go with it).
It seems that in 2011 I was on a roll thinking about these things, so here are some more of my blogs from then, which could be from now, or last year or 20 years ago (except there wasn’t any blogging then, but you get the idea). And remember – you really aren’t ever alone. In you joy phase, set up a buddy for those days when you think you are.
1 Comment
I understand fight for joy. Sometimes it is a choice in the darkness. A fight for the light.