I noticed something this year that I haven’t seen in years past: people left their Christmas lights up longer. Not just a few days past New Year’s. I was still seeing them in March.
Maybe people are tired and busy, and taking them down just felt like one more task. But if that were the whole story, they could have simply unplugged them and waited until next season.
I think they left them up because they bring joy.
When it’s dark by 5:30 p.m., it’s comforting to see lights glowing on your drive home. When winter lingers and you’re tucked inside trying to stay warm, it helps to look out and see something bright.
Lately, it feels like we’re all searching for that – small and steady sources of joy in a world that often feels heavy. Maybe it’s just part of getting older, but everywhere I look, I see people carrying something: financial stress, health challenges, family strain, grief, mental health struggles, discrimination.
If you know me, you know I tend to be an optimist. I have my moments, but I usually try to find the good. And recently, the idea of intentionally seeking joy in everyday life has really resonated with me.
Of course, this isn’t a new idea. People have been talking about joy for a long time. Marie Kondo built an entire philosophy around keeping what “sparks joy.” It shows up in books, conversations, even the memes we scroll past every day.
But when I think about how to actually cultivate joy, a few things stand out:
Gratitude.
Starting the day by focusing on what’s good. I haven’t made it a consistent practice, but I notice a difference when I do. It shifts my mindset in a way that lasts.
Presence.
This is a work in progress for me. Half the time, my mind is already three steps ahead. But when I slow down and pay attention, I find more joy in the small things. In fact, I think I finally understand people’s fascination with birdwatching. On a recent trip to Costa Rica, some of my favorite moments were early mornings with a cup of coffee, listening and watching for birds. Spotting one felt like a small victory, and a reminder of how much beauty exists if we’re still enough to notice it.
Connection.
Getting to know people, really knowing them, brings me a deep sense of joy. There’s something powerful about recognizing that we’re all human, each of us a mix of strengths and flaws. That understanding builds empathy, and that empathy has a way of softening even our more difficult relationships.
Generosity.
I’ve always believed in the value of helping others. I grew up in a family that volunteered, and I was shaped by a school culture where service was foundational. Giving your time or energy to someone else doesn’t just help them – it changes your perspective. It reminds you of what matters, and in doing so, creates its own kind of joy.
This month is going to be a tough one.
It brings Mother’s Day – a day that is always bittersweet. But I find joy in watching Carson and Spencer and the lives they are making for themselves. I am incredibly proud of their resilience and grit and ability to find joy while also remembering their sister.
It brings the 5-year anniversary of the loss of Eleanor – the loss of so much beauty and potential. But I find joy in all of the moments we had – the trips we took, her personal accomplishments, her quirky smile and her love for games and movies. So much joy!
It’s brings the loss of a milestone – Eleanor’s graduation from college – and all the beautiful life moments that accompany it. But I find joy in watching her friends approaching this moment and carving their own paths forward – many of them reminding us over the years of how Eleanor impacted their lives.
Finding joy isn’t always easy right now. But I’m convinced it’s still there – tucked into ordinary moments, waiting to be noticed.
Maybe that’s why the lights stayed up a little longer this year.
Bold Musings 