Embracing Joy in 2025

As we journey through this new year, I have chosen my guiding word for 2025: JOY. Too often, I find myself constantly striving—jumping from one goal to the next, feeling as if slowing down equates to failure. This relentless pursuit has led me to question whether true success comes solely from hard work or if there’s more to the journey. This year, I am intentionally shifting my focus to joy, recognizing that growth and fulfillment require both effort and moments of genuine happiness.

I have spent most of my life thinking if I wasn’t working hard, being always diligent, always striving, always a bit stressed out, I wasn’t succeeding and I wasn’t worthy of success or joy. I have gone from one goal to the next, rarely pausing to savor the moment, or any sense of accomplishment, never pausing to revel in the achievement.

I have begun to wonder what life could be like if I started seeing joy more like a vegetable or fruit rather than a decadent dessert, packed full of essential vitamins and necessary for my well-being, not a decadent treat I could or should probably do without. In Learning in Action’s WE-Q certification and training I went through a few years ago, I learned that if our levels of joy and love are too low, change and evolution are nearly impossible. We need joy and love; they are necessary to our ability to flex and grow; like a vegetable, joy gives us hope and positive energy to overcome and become our best selves.

Joy isn’t just a fleeting feeling; it’s a state of being that I am learning to cultivate and embrace. I want to allow myself, yes, allow myself, give myself permission, to truly feel joy—to revel in it, to sit in it longer, and to cherish both the major accomplishments and the small, beautiful moments life offers. Whether it’s enjoying the warmth of the sun, a shared laugh with a friend, or the simple pleasure of a quiet morning, I am choosing to welcome these experiences fully, to not just notice them, but savor them.

The wisdom of those who have walked this path before inspires me. Mother Teresa once said, “Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.” This serves as a powerful reminder that joy isn’t found in the distant future but in the present moment. Likewise, Victoria Moran’s words affirm that “in this moment, there is infinite possibility.” Choosing joy means choosing to be present, to acknowledge the beauty in the now, and to trust that I am exactly where I need to be.

Of course, this shift in mindset won’t happen overnight. It requires a conscious effort to let go of old beliefs and embrace a new way of living. I will remind myself that productivity is not the sole measure of success and that rest, gratitude, and celebration are just as important. This year, I will prioritize practices that cultivate joy—whether it’s through journaling, mindfulness, or simply allowing myself to slow down and savor life’s sweetness.

As I embark on this journey, I invite you to reflect on how joy plays a role in your own life. What would happen if you, too, allowed yourself to experience joy more fully? Let’s journey through 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose—not just to achieve, but to truly enjoy the beauty of each moment and to allow ourselves to be filled with joy, an essential aspect that will keep us healthy, strong, and able to persevere, overcome, be kind, able to show up as our best.

1. How does this perspective on success and joy challenge conventional ideas about hard work and achievement?
2. In what ways do you currently prioritize or neglect joy in your own life, and how might you shift your mindset to embrace it more fully?
3. If we compare joy to a vegetable rather than a dessert—something essential rather than indulgent. How does this analogy resonate with you, and how might it change the way you approach joy?
4. What small moments of joy have you overlooked in your daily life, and how can you practice being more present to savor them?
5. How do you think cultivating joy can impact your personal growth, resilience, and ability to overcome challenges?

Some of my recent moments of joy….