48. Joy is Our Birthright

Kelsey

Hey everyone, welcome back to the Pleasant Spirit Podcast! I'm Kelsey, and as always, I'm here with Kyle. Today we're diving into something that feels, I dunno, almost radical to say out loud—joy is our birthright. Like, not just a nice-to-have, but something that's actually part of who we are.

Unknown Speaker

Yeah, I love that. It's funny, because when you first hear "joy is our birthright," it almost sounds... I don't know, a little too optimistic? But the more I think about it, the more I realize how true it is. I mean, if you look at little kids, they just—joy is their default setting, right? They don't need a reason, they just are.

Kelsey

Totally! And somewhere along the way, we start thinking we have to earn it, or that it's only for special occasions. But, like, what if it's actually just part of being human? I mean, I know for me, when I let myself feel joy, even in small ways, my whole mood shifts. My stress goes down, I feel lighter, and honestly, I think my body feels better too.

Unknown Speaker

Absolutely. There's a real connection between joy and well-being. I remember this one time, I was having a rough week—like, everything that could go sideways, did. And I picked up one of Wayne Dyer's books—he's my favorite, you know that—and he had this line about choosing joy, even when things are tough. I kinda rolled my eyes at first, but then I thought, "What if I just tried it?" So I did. I started looking for one thing, just one, that made me smile that day. And it was wild how quickly my whole perspective changed. It didn't fix everything, but it made the hard stuff feel less heavy.

Kelsey

I love that. It's like, joy doesn't erase the hard stuff, but it gives us a way to move through it. And, I mean, as we talked about in our Plinko episode, life is unpredictable. But if joy is our birthright, then maybe it's always there, even when things are bumpy.

Unknown Speaker

Yeah, and I think sometimes we make joy this big, dramatic thing, like it has to be fireworks or a vacation or something. But honestly, it's in the little stuff. Like, for me, it's that first glass of sweet tea in the afternoon, or when I get to walk outside and just feel the sun on my face, you know?

Kelsey

Oh, totally. Okay, so, I have to share this—last week, I was at Starbucks, and I got my usual vanilla latte. Nothing fancy, just my regular order. But for some reason, that day, it tasted like, I don't know, magic? I just sat there, holding the cup, and I felt this wave of happiness. It was so simple, but it was real joy. And I almost missed it because I was thinking about my to-do list and all the stuff I had to get done.

Unknown Speaker

That's such a good example. I think society kind of trains us to overlook those moments, right? Like, we're supposed to be productive, or serious, or whatever. And if you're just sitting there enjoying your coffee, it can feel like you're wasting time. But maybe that's exactly what we need more of.

Kelsey

Yeah, it's like, joy doesn't have to be earned. It's not a reward for finishing your chores or being perfect. It's just... there, if we let ourselves notice it. And honestly, sometimes I have to remind myself that it's okay to just enjoy something for no reason. I mean, I still struggle with that, but I'm working on it.

Unknown Speaker

Same here. And I think, especially for folks like us—legally blind, massage therapists, always adapting—finding those little sparks of joy in daily life is kind of essential. It keeps us going, you know?

Kelsey

So, let's talk about how joy fits into self-care and spirituality. I mean, for me, joy is like the fuel for everything else. If I'm not making space for it, my self-care just feels like another chore. But when I let myself have fun, or laugh, or just be silly with our daughter, it changes everything. It's like, suddenly, taking care of myself isn't a burden—it's something I actually want to do.

Unknown Speaker

Yeah, and I think that's true for spiritual well-being too. I mean, a lot of spiritual traditions talk about joy as being, like, a sign that you're connected to something bigger. And honestly, when I'm feeling joyful, I feel more connected—to myself, to other people, to nature. It's all tied together.

Kelsey

So, for everyone listening, maybe ask yourself: how can you make space for joy in your self-care? Is it a walk outside, a favorite song, a silly dance in your kitchen? And what gets in the way? I know for me, sometimes it's guilt, or feeling like I don't deserve it, or just being too busy.

Unknown Speaker

Yeah, and there are real barriers. But I've read some amazing things in mental health support groups—like, some organizations actually build joy-centered practices into their meetings. They start with gratitude, or a funny story, or even just a moment to breathe and notice something good. It doesn't fix everything, but it helps people feel more human, more hopeful.

Kelsey

I love that. And I think, if we can remember that joy is our birthright—not something we have to earn or wait for—it can totally transform how we take care of ourselves and each other.

Unknown Speaker

Yeah, and maybe that's the real takeaway. Joy isn't just a bonus—it's part of who we are. So let's claim it, even in the small ways. Thanks for hanging out with us today, Kelsey. This was a good one.

Kelsey

Yeah, thank you, Kyle. And thanks to everyone listening. We'll be back soon with more ways to bring a little more pleasant spirit into your day. Take care, everyone!

Unknown Speaker

Bye, everybody!