Hello my sweet friends,

I know these weeks have been dark, heavy, and incredibly stressful. I know that there is a lot going on, and that there are so many factors at play that can take a deep toll on our mental health, and our stability.

I know that many of us have been pushed to our breaking points, and have felt like it’s hard to hold on. I’ve been there, this week, felt like it was almost going to break me. The mental anguish, the uncertainty, the suffering of lives lost, and of livelihoods taken away, really chipped away at my ability to cope. So if you felt that way too, I’m right there with you.

The really tricky thing about dark times and difficult moments is that they tend to magnetize and multiply. It can be hard to grasp positive thoughts when the negative, sad ones feel so easy to cling to.

What I find to be incredibly necessary during these times (and in life in general) is that we must remember to make space to always look for joy. Seeking out joy is a self-care practice, and it’s one that we must rely on heavily during these times.

We must cultivate the awareness to remember to keep something beautiful in our minds and in our hearts, especially during difficult times. We must prioritize and create space for the simple pleasures, the happy moments, and the authentic joys that keep our spirits high and our hearts filled with hope.

While I know that it might feel trite or cliche to encourage you all to find silver linings and happy moments in times of turbulence, I want to remind you that this is an act of self-preservation. Joy is a producer of hope, and hope is the motivator that helps us move from one difficult moment to the next. Hope propels us and keeps us moving forward, even when it may feel impossible to do so.

These days, I find joy in the simplest of things, but know that no matter how simple, whatever joy that can be found is powerful. Joy can take different forms and can manifest in different ways, but I ask you to remember to honor the things that bring you joy, and make a conscientious effort to keep those things in your life.

Because we need you, all of you, and our lives are too precious to be lived in the absence of joy and hope.

If you feel called, I’d love to hear what brings you joy in these moments. I’ll share mine too.

xo,

Michelle

Michelle Maros is Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life's Creative Director and resident writer. She has a degree in Journalism from Indiana University and is also a certified holistic health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and registered yoga teacher with trainings with Anuttara Yoga Shala and Strala Yoga. Michelle has a deep desire to help people find happiness in all areas of their lives, and truly believes the Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life movement will bring lasting change to the world. Michelle splits her time between Florida and New York City and loves connecting with people from all over the world. If you'd like to contact her, she can be reached at 

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