Let’s talk about something you’ve felt a thousand times—that tug-of-war between joy and misery.
Maybe you’ve blamed the world for it.
If my job weren’t so stressful… If my family understood me… If society weren’t so demanding… But what if I told you the battle isn’t out there? What if I told you it’s happening inside you?
Lie We’ve Been Sold
You’ve been taught that your experience of life depends on the world around you. That your joy is tied to promotions, relationships, or societal approval. That misery is just “bad luck” or someone else’s fault.
But here’s the truth: Your experience of life isn’t shaped by the world. It’s shaped by you.
Think about it. Two people face the same traffic jam. One rages, honking and cursing. The other hums a song, sipping coffee. The situation is identical—their experiences couldn’t be more different. Why? Because one chose misery. The other chose ease.
Child and the Kinder Joy
Let’s dig deeper. As a child, you learned a dangerous lesson: If I cry, I get attention. If I sulk, I get treats. Maybe you faked a tantrum, and suddenly—voilà!—your mother handed you an extra Kinder Joy.
Fast-forward to adulthood. You’re still using the same playbook. You think, If I’m miserable, maybe someone will fix my problems. If I’m loud enough, maybe the world will listen. But here’s the catch: Misery might get you the Kinder Joy, but it’ll taste like ash.
Because once you’re miserable, what’s the point of the reward?
Power of Spiritual Practice: Not What You Think
You might wonder, Then why does my spiritual practice feel like it’s making things worse? As you sit in meditation, the world’s noise grows louder. Family demands spike. Work deadlines tighten. You think, Is this normal?
Yes. Because when you turn inward, you’re no longer numb to life’s friction. You’re awake. And awakening isn’t about escaping chaos—it’s about realizing you’re the source of calm within it.
Spiritual practice isn’t a magic spell for joy. It’s a mirror. It shows you, You’ve always been the one choosing misery. And once you see that, the choice becomes clear.
Choice You’re Avoiding
Let’s be blunt: You know what to choose.
If I offered you a plate of pain or pleasure, agony or ecstasy, misery or joy—you’d grab joy without hesitation. The problem isn’t confusion. It’s clarity. You know what you want. You just don’t trust yourself to choose it.
Why? Because somewhere, you still believe misery works. You think it’s a tool to manipulate the world. But here’s the truth: Misery doesn’t control the world. It imprisons you.
Investment No One Talks About
You invest in careers, relationships, and homes. But when do you invest in you?
Imagine your inner world as a garden. If you never tend to it, weeds of resentment, fear, and lack will choke your joy.
But spend even a little time there—watering it with silence, pruning it with awareness—and flowers bloom effortlessly.
This isn’t selfish. It’s survival.
The Invitation
So, are you ready to choose?
- Stop Blaming the World
Traffic jams, deadlines, and noisy neighbors don’t define your joy. You do. - See Through the Kinder Joy Trick
Misery might get you short-term gains, but it robs you of life’s sweetness. Choose joy—even when no one’s watching. - Invest in Your Inner Garden
Spend time with yourself. Not to “fix” anything. Just to be. Watch how clarity grows.
Truth
Joy isn’t a reward for perfect circumstances. It’s the baseline of a life lived awake.
When you realize you’re the source—not your job, not your family, not the world—everything changes. Challenges remain, but they no longer control you. You dance through storms because you know: The weather outside can’t drown the sun within.