Henri Nouwen: “Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.
I feel good. Actually, bump that—I feel great.
I haven’t achieved my biggest dreams yet, but I have committed to making every single day joyful and basking in God’s incredible blessings.
July is here, and all I can think about is joy and fireworks. Making every day count. Because this day will come and go—that much is certain. Whether it counts or not is entirely up to me.
Lately, I’ve been practicing something that has transformed the way I think. Whenever my brain tries to drag me toward things I don’t like, I calmly respond by asking myself, loudly in my head (lol), “What do you want instead?”
That simple question changes everything.
Time is so short, and nothing is guaranteed. What we can do is make sure that while we are breathing, we live fully, joyfully, and experience fireworks in everything we do.
Imagine your favorite ice cream. Mine is Mint Chocolate Chip from Inside Scoop. Mama mia… whoever created that flavor should be jailed because it is that good! Or imagine biting into your favorite sandwich—that magical moment when you open your mouth for the very first bite.
That’s how I intend to savor life.
I encourage you to do the same.
Hundreds of thousands—perhaps even millions—did not wake up to see this beautiful first day of July. But we did. We are still here.
So, let’s make the most of it.
July reminds me of my school years when we enjoyed long holidays. It reminds me of eating delicious mangoes, spending endless afternoons playing cards and board games, drinking attaya (tea) brewed over charcoal, grilling fresh corn, and falling in love for the very first time.
When I think of July, I think of joy.
I think of fireworks.
Let’s make joy non-negotiable in our lives—as essential as a doctor’s prescription—because few things heal us more deeply than genuine joy.
So, here’s to July.
May it surprise us.
May it stretch us.
May it fill our days with moments that take our breath away.
And may we welcome this new month with open hearts, ready for the beautiful things we have never seen before.
Salima
Just me thinking out loud over here