Connecting to the Joy amid Struggles

As the music blares to the dancing of joyous men and children who hop around in their Purim dress-ups, some of us may feel a familiar ache caused by struggles and challenges in our personal lives that don’t disappear the moment Purim shows its smiling face. On top of that we may feel a pang of guilt saying “you should be happy today, it’s Purim!” 

We are then left with a torn heart while we try to put a smile on our face to match the faces of those around us.

But guess what? The heart can hold a multitude of emotions. No feeling is exclusive. Happiness and sadness can coexist. Pain and joy can learn to be good friends and comfortably make place for each other’s. 

When we recognize and welcome all feelings, the ones that feel comfortable and the ones we don’t desire as much, we suddenly have the ability tap into the joy. If we fight off unpleasant emotions, on the other hand, our heart turns into a war zone in which it is not possible to cultivate happiness. 

In life there will always be the ups and the downs. Mixed feelings. Incomplete celebrations. But if we learn how to expand our hearts to welcome whatever our heart has in store for us, then we will achieve true joy.