The Joy You Make: Find the Silver Linings Even on Your Darkest Days

By Steven Petrow
Viking Press 2024

In the vein of a mindset since The Power of Positive Thinking decades ago, this book takes the concept to a new level. It addresses both the psychological and physical aspects of Joy. He distinguishes this state as different than happiness, which he considers more momentary and superficial. His example: Happiness is like a sugary Twinkle, with Joy more like a whole wheat muffin. We cannot always be happy, but we can experience joy even in the middle of hardships.

The book was written in the middle of a series of personal hardships that challenged the author to deal with depression and grief. He says that you only need to look for joy to find it. Joy is not only around us, but within us. Joy is a conscious choice to respond to our circumstances in a positive and fulfilling way. We may not be able to change our circumstances, but we can change how we respond.

Season’s Greetings

This is an ambiguous title that covers all religions and belief systems and celebrations of the winter solstice. Some use the greeting “Happy Holidays,” and other refer to specific religious holidays. I never can get the spelling for Chanukah correct for Judaism, Kwanzaa for African traditions, and the Persian festival Yaldā. In the East, they celebrate the Dongzhi Festival. Of course, Christians celebrate Christmas.

When you consider the holidays, you also have Santa Claus, the Yule tree (or log), Snow Men (why no women?), and a wide range of holiday songs that address everything but Christmas. The spirit of giving has been commercialized and starts in October. We almost ignore Thanksgiving, which is celebrated only in a few countries. Epiphany is an afterthought.

Gratitude is More Than Just Saying Thanks

Thanksgiving is known primarily as a gathering of extended family around a feast. It is a family holiday more than a celebration of an event. It prompted me to more carefully consider the benefits of gratitude:

• Gratitude turns what little you have into abundance.
• Gratitude is so much more than saying thank you.
• Gratitude changes your perspective of your world.

Gratitude is both a state of being and a personality trait. For too much of my life I did not feel or show gratitude, and that led to a feeling of negativity, resentment, and anger.