We all have the ability to find happiness and joy, regardless of our circumstances. Have you ever seen a sticker or magnet that said, “It’s never too late to have a happy childhood”? That used to make me angry, and I thought, “whoever thinks that sure didn’t have MY childhood!” After many years of doing my own personal work and studying Buddhism and yoga, I have a different take on that. My childhood was hard, but I have grieved deeply for it, and can now look back on it with immense compassion for myself and my caregivers, and see that I am who I am largely because of those experiences. And I love who I am…flaws and all. So while it doesn’t change the fact that a lot of my childhood was painful, I can look back on my life with a sense of peace and love rather than resentment or blame. 

Spiritual growth isn’t only about finding or connecting with whatever you consider God to be, but also about growing as a person. It’s about rediscovering the incredible person that you still are underneath all the painful layers that life has heaped on top of you. It’s about finding out what really makes you feel alive and reclaiming all your lost parts. It’s about learning that life is only as difficult or easy as we make it. It’s about finding joy in infinite ways... a sunset, an unexpected connection with a stranger, even finding joy in your own pain. I once heard a Buddhist Rinpoche say, “I no longer feel pain because it enters as joy.” This is a profound goal as I see it. To be so in love with your own process of growth that even the most difficult experiences are witnessed with joyful awareness and complete presence to the miracle of being on this earth. Sure, I still suffer sometimes and wish life were easier, but I am learning every day, and teaching others, how to witness life’s challenges with less suffering and more joy. I believe the work of finding joy is a lost art. In my opinion, our culture over-values work and under-values pleasure. We have lost that balance and somehow ecstasy has become demonized.