For the past six weeks, I’ve been journeying through the Prayer of St. Francis, one line at a time.

This week, we come to:

“Where there is sadness, let me sow joy.”

And this week’s lesson came wrapped in a Subway cup, a swimsuit, a ridiculous dance… and half a beer. 😂

Let me explain.

Last month, when my family and I travelled to Curaçao, we decided to try one of those TikTok trends where everyone “wiggles” into a cup.

We filmed the beginning at the airport, carried the cup through different parts of our trip, and planned to finish the video when everyone wiggled back out.

Except…

We never actually got the full group together to finish it. 😂

We had been having too much fun.

But one afternoon, while my mum and I were at the pool with some of the younger ones, I said:

“Let’s just do it!”

So we did.

My mum, in her swimsuit, wiggled out of the cup and then proceeded to dance.

And honestly?

It was hilarious.

When I got home, I put the clips together anyway.

The finished video was probably about 12 seconds long.

And on Thursday, I posted it.

The response was priceless.

More than a thousand views.

Comments.

Messages.

Friends calling me laughing.

People saying how much they loved seeing my mum having fun.

People who know that she hasn’t been feeling her best were especially delighted to see her laughing, dancing and simply enjoying herself.

And then there was one small problem.

Mummy hadn’t even seen the video. 😂

She had been feeling sick and hadn’t been online.

So Friday evening, I went by to check on her and I asked:

“You’re seeing all the comments on Facebook?”

She looked at me like I was speaking another language.

“What comments?”

So I showed her.

And we laughed.

I read the comments to her.

She laughed some more.

Then we shared a beer and somehow half a beer each had both of us feeling tipsy. 😂

We laughed and laughed.

I eventually posted a picture of the bottle on my WhatsApp status:

“Half a beer with Mummy while we watched the video and laughed at the comments… and now I’m drunk. Time for bed!”

I woke up this morning to messages from people laughing all over again.

And I thought… This is joy!

We often think self-care has to look like a spa day.

A quiet morning.

A massage.

A perfectly planned vacation.

And yes, those things can absolutely be wonderful.

But sometimes self-care looks like letting yourself be silly.

Sometimes it looks like dancing in a swimsuit.

Sometimes it looks like laughing with your mother.

Sometimes it looks like sharing half a beer and being completely ridiculous together.

Sometimes it looks like remembering that life isn’t only about the things we need to accomplish.

We are also here to live.

And that’s something I’m learning more and more.

Joy doesn’t mean that there is no sadness.

Joy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect.

Joy doesn’t mean that there aren’t things we are carrying.

It simply means that we don’t allow those things to take up all the space.

We can carry our challenges… and still laugh.

We can have responsibilities… and still play.

We can be going through a difficult season… and still create beautiful moments.

Sometimes we don’t have to wait for life to get better before we allow ourselves to enjoy it.

We can choose joy right here… right now.

Scripture Reminds Us:

“A cheerful heart is good medicine.” — Proverbs 17:22

I think my mum and I had a little dose of that medicine this week.

And I am grateful.

Reflection

When was the last time you laughed until you couldn’t stop?

What brings you uncomplicated joy?

Have you been postponing joy until something in your life changes?

And what is one simple thing you could do this week just because it makes you happy?

Maybe it’s dancing.

Maybe it’s calling a friend.

Maybe it’s watching your favourite movie.

Maybe it’s getting outside.

Maybe it’s doing absolutely nothing productive for an hour.

Whatever it is… make room for it.

Today, my prayer is simple:

Lord, where there is sadness, let me sow joy.

Help me to remember that joy is not frivolous.

Help me to recognize the little moments that are gifts.

Teach me to laugh more.

To play more.

To be present more.

And when life feels heavy, remind me that I am still allowed to experience joy.

May I never become so busy living that I forget to enjoy my life.

Amen.

Until next Saturday!

Love, Talisha ❤️