Omer 5: Joy in a Jaded World

Tonite begins our Shabbos of khol hamoed peysekh – and we are invited to find joy in our rest, to step out of a jaded, jarring world into, as has been oft quoted, a “Sanctuary in Time” per Abraham Joshua Heschel. During the best of times, joy may be taken for granted – and during our current times, regularly feels like a quickly depleting resource. When we cultivate the practices, habits, thoughts that lead to joy, we are defiant, rebelling in the face of a weighty cultural pull toward negative thought cycles.

Joy, even when practiced intentionally, may still be out of reach at times. There are days when the emotional and mental weight of work, current events, relationships demand processing, sitting with feelings, finding one’s way to the growth and changes around the corner. Yet, for me, fighting my way back to joy after these moments reminds me who I am at my core, and that I find strength in seeking joy, even when that seems against all odds.

Today’s post encapsulates something that I consider essential for cultivation in my life, and hope to bring to the lives of other people. To find joy in everyday moments, to remind each other of the importance of sustained joy – that is one of life’s core elements.

Good Shabbos –