Marty and I just came back from our vacation in Alaska. It was the first time either of us had been to the state and it was the first time we took a cruise.
And I gotta say, BOTH WERE INCREDIBLE!
I fully intended to write about the trip in the usual ways – what the cruise was like, the incredible scenery, the wildlife, etc. But instead, I decided to write about the overwhelming emotion I experienced over those 15 days – joy.
So, here is today’s post about the beauty and healing powers of the small joys that bring us such immense rewards and pleasure.
When life feels overwhelming, we often believe that only big changes can restore our sense of well-being—a better career, a glamorous lifestyle, or a “fresh start.” But real healing is rarely achieved through a grandiose event. More often, it comes to us quietly, in small and unassuming ways: the soothing sound of rain against the roof, sharing comfort food with friends, the warmth of a soft blanket on a cool day. These small joys may appear ordinary, but they carry extraordinary power to soothe and restore.
And science backs this up. Research shows that even the briefest sparks of joy signal our brain to release chemicals that decrease stress, lift mood, and even support heart health and immune function. A single moment of wonder or beauty – the flutter of butterflies, the sound of laughter, the first flower of spring peeking through the snow – can trigger dopamine, the brain’s natural reward system. When shared with others, these moments also release oxytocin, strengthening our sense of connection and belonging. Joyful moments may last only a few seconds, but their impact lingers, giving us strength and resiliency we didn’t realize we had.
During difficult times, whether through pain, grief, uncertainty, or fatigue, these micro-moments of joy are much more than pleasant distractions. They are our anchors. They tether us to the present when our minds want to drift toward worry or despair. They may not erase our challenges, but they make their weight easier to carry.
The good news is that we can train ourselves to notice these joyful moments. One simple practice is to keep a mental “joy list” of things that make you smile. Pause for thirty seconds to savor the rich flavor and smell of your coffee or the shifting colors of the evening sky. Share a small joy with a friend; the act of noticing a joyful event together multiplies its effect. These pauses aren’t merely simple or silly gestures – they’re small but important mindset shifts that help to rewire our brains for resilience.
Living a life that embraces joy also impacts others in ways we can’t always know or measure. Joy makes us more compassionate, more patient, and more kind. It softens our edges and reminds us – and others – that healing is possible and can be gently stitched together through the extraordinary but ordinary moments of everyday life.
Today, look for one small joy. Experience it fully. Let it remind you that life is full of wonder and joyful moments if you choose to notice them. This is where true healing lives, in the everyday details we too often overlook. Small joys are not small at all.
