11/07/2025
This month, we welcome the radiant energy of Fire, the element that ignites our passion and fuels our joy. Fire encourages us to release the old and embrace the new. If you feel anxious or emotionally volatile this month, it may be a sign that you’re out of balance with its creative flow. Ground yourself by reconnecting with what lights you up, and let joy be your guide.
I recently attended the annual International Spa Association Conference, where one of the keynote speakers, Peter Katz—a well-known singer/songwriter from Canada—gave an inspiring talk on something he called “joy snacks.” Joy snacks, he explained, show up in the micro moments during the day: hearing your favorite song on the radio, enjoying a spontaneous conversation with a friend or co-worker, helping someone in need, or simply laughing at a funny joke. These little sparks of joy act like emotional pick-me-ups, instantly boosting your mood and uplifting your well-being in unexpected ways. His talk was enlightening and made me realize how often I postpone joy, placing it somewhere in the future instead of recognizing and celebrating it in the present moment.
I’ve embarked on my own Eat, Pray, Love journey this year. After my daughter left for college, I decided it was time to do some soul-searching so I could better navigate this next chapter of my life. I booked a couple of trips abroad to places I’ve always wanted to visit and just returned from the first one. The great thing about traveling to a different country is that when you disconnect from everything familiar, you discover what’s truly meaningful. Intentionally incorporating daily joy snacks during my trip helped me bond with others and brought new awareness to the things that make me feel genuinely happy.
Last month, I wrote about how my friends and I joke about everything being “fine” and how I wondered what it would feel like if that were really the case. With everything unfolding in the world, I’ve often struggled with the uncertainty of what lies ahead. The anxiety it created felt unsettling. But after stepping out of my comfort zone and immersing myself in another culture, something shifted. I stopped just saying I was fine. I began to feel it. I began to know it. And that knowing gave me the quiet strength and confidence I had been searching for. Even with all the unknowns ahead, I trust that I’m going to be okay. And the peace that brings allows me to be more present for the joy that exists right now.
So, what brings you joy? Are there simple ways you can welcome more joyful moments into your day? This is a wonderful month to reflect on that question and see what you discover, and it may surprise you. If something unexpectedly joyful happens to you this month, let me know. I’d love to hear!
In well-being,
Betsy
https://fivewellbeing.com/stop-postponing-joy-start-enjoying-life-today-with-this-one-habit/
