Welcome to Day 1: Micro-dosing Joy
Write about a small moment of connection
It’s the first day of our two-week writing challenge.
For two weeks we will slow down and write about small slices or moments of life that bring us joy and share them with other midlife writers. Not necessarily life-changing, soul-altering experiences. Just micro-doses of joy.
Right now, at this time of year, at this moment in history, in this stage of life, we may have lots of reasons for wanting to write together to hunt for joy. We want to learn about what those are for you as well.
We are asking for 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week. So, in total, you’ll be writing 10 times with us.
Prompt 1.
On this first day, write for 15 minutes about a moment of connection you felt today or yesterday — with another person, an animal, a piece of music or art, something in the natural world.
Post your writing in the comments.
Connection with life and living things helps to give our lives meaning and purpose.
But what does "connection" mean?
I feel grateful for Pepper, my cat. The connection I have with her helps me feel needed. She looks at me with such anticipation and love in her eyes when it is time for food or brushing or when she just wants me to stop for a while and snuggle with her. And then she is on her way and we both feel refreshed and cared for by the connections we share.
My connection with Leon has grown. It is not a dependency, it is a joy. It is so comfortable. We relax together. We talk about so many things, we laugh, we sing, we make plans and share intimacy. We have settled into a nice routine of things we enjoy. Wednesday is date night. Saturday we go to our favorite ice cream parlor. Sunday evening we shoot pool. My connection with Leon gives me a sense of comfortable security I have never known.
I also feel connection with my listening audience. This is where I get my biggest sense of purpose and meaning. If I can help, inspire, reassure even one person each week, through my podcast or my writing, then I have done a good thing.
The past few days have been a struggle. Seasonal depression or hormones playing havoc within, reasons unknown, my mind has traversed the thorny path of negative emotions; from anger to senseless resentment to the dangerous urge to disconnect; to unplug from human emotions and interactions. Human connections disappoint is the intrusive thought at the moment. And yet, self awareness lends the wisdom to know otherwise and like a mantra I repeat to myself, 'They are, therefore I am.'