When was the last time you did something simply because it made you happy?
Not because it was productive. Not because someone needed you. Not because it was something you had to cross off your list.
Simply because it brought you joy.
Recently, I went with some good friends to a Happy Together concert featuring many of the bands and songs I loved growing up. From the moment the music began, it was as if I had been transported back in time.
Some of my favorite songs were My Special Angel, Sugar, Sugar, Hair, Saturday in the Park, and so many others.
But my favorite part came at the end of the evening.
Everyone was on their feet, and we were dancing and singing along—and somehow, after all these years, I still knew most of the words!
For those few hours, there were no responsibilities, no worries about what was happening tomorrow, and no list of things that needed to be done. There was just music, laughter, friendship, memories, and pure joy.
And interestingly, on that very same night, my daughter and daughter-in-law were creating their own joyful memory.
They flew to Las Vegas to see one of their favorite groups from their childhood—the Backstreet Boys! Both of them have very busy lives raising young children, with all the responsibilities that come along with that. But this time they essentially said, “We’re doing this!”
So, they got on a plane, went to Las Vegas, saw the concert, had a wonderful time—and flew home the very next day!
I loved that.
Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to do something that serves no purpose other than making us happy.
As adults, we can become so focused on our responsibilities that joy gets pushed to the bottom of the list. There will always be work to do, people who need us, errands to run, problems to solve, and things happening in the world that concern us.
But experiencing joy doesn’t mean we don’t care about those things.
In fact, I believe joy helps replenish us so that we have more love and energy to give to everything else.
Joy raises our energy. It brings us into the present moment. It reminds us that life isn’t only about accomplishing, helping, fixing, and doing. We are also here to experience this beautiful life.
And joy doesn’t have to mean flying to Las Vegas or going to a concert.
It might mean having lunch with an old friend, dancing in your kitchen, walking along the beach, playing with your grandchildren, spending time with your animals, gardening, listening to music you love, watching a funny movie, taking a day trip, or doing something you haven’t done in years.
Sometimes we become so busy taking care of everyone and everything else that we forget to ask ourselves a very simple question:
What brings me joy?
So, I’m asking you that question today.
What have you been doing for fun lately?
When was the last time you laughed until your stomach hurt? When was the last time you danced, sang, played, or did something spontaneous? When was the last time you said, “I’m doing this!” simply because you knew it would make you happy?
If it’s been a while, maybe it’s time.
Don’t wait until everything on your to-do list is finished, because it never will be. Don’t wait for the perfect time, because there may never be one.
Call the friend. Buy the ticket. Take the drive. Turn up the music. Dance. Sing. Laugh.
Make room for joy.
Because joy isn’t a distraction from living.
Joy is part of what makes life worth living.