Some wonder if there’s a point to any of this. But the truth is, lack of joy is more of an imbalance than a disease. Yet, when we go on without joy, dis-ease often follows.
Our struggles don’t appear unannounced. We may have genetic predispositions (a topic for another day), but many of our issues emerge from patterns we’ve noticed since childhood—patterns we can’t always bear to examine closely but keep circling back to. Let’s call it our “core delusion.” We sense something deep down, some self-doubt rooted in our past, in things we’ve been told or assumed about ourselves.
Calling it a delusion sheds light on its nature. This is the belief that something is fundamentally wrong with us, a belief that often isn’t real but feels true. We were told we were “this” or “that,” and these judgments blurred our view of who we really are. Left unchecked, these negative thoughts create an internal world where we stay trapped, unaware of the tools we possess for wholeness.
One such tool is awareness. When a self-defeating thought appears, recognize it for what it is—self-defeating, not the truth. Name it, understand that it has roots within you, but know that it doesn’t have to control you. Regardless of where it began, the responsibility is now ours to uproot these beliefs and plant seeds of self-worth. If we don’t, this internal landscape of self-doubt will inevitably translate into physical or emotional dis-ease.
Practice brings growth. Whether you’re 9 or 90, each day offers a fresh start.
The Role of Joy and the Heart
Our hearts are more than organs; they are the Emperor of our being. When we lose joy, it’s often our hearts that bear the brunt, especially if we allow this despair to linger.
If you need help, seeking it is wise. And if a certain help doesn’t feel right, know that you can release it. Trust your path. My practice revolves around this mind-body connection; I’ve treated hundreds of children with ASD and ADHD, observing how closely the heart and kidneys are involved in emotional balance. Too often, society’s labels—alphabet diagnoses like ASD and ADHD—misguide us. Misdiagnosis or excessive labeling can cloud our paths and may eventually lead to chronic issues.