Dive Into Every Joy
“In spite of can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways.” Edith Wharton
I turned the page in my journal, and these words leapt out at me: “Dive into every joy!” The older I get, the more I understand how precious every day, every experience, and every person truly is. But is it possible to experience joy as we age?
In my 70s, I still don’t know what this age is “supposed” to look or feel like. Society constantly bombards us with the notion that youth is defined by glamour and sex appeal, while aging is equated with decline and disintegration. Yet here I am in my 70s feeling sexy and glamorous far more often than old and decrepit.
Maybe youth isn’t a time of life, but a state of mind. Perhaps age is simply the sum of our experiences. It’s not the passing of years that ages us most, but the loss of our dreams and ideals. Years may wrinkle my skin, but losing dreams will wrinkle my soul. As long as my heart is still beating, there is time to pursue what sets it on fire.
Of course, the body will age. Things might not work quite the way they used to. But that doesn’t mean we are powerless. There are simple, practical actions we can take to alleviate many of the challenges that come with aging. That’s my goal with this book—to offer you small, actionable steps to inspire you to dive into joy, no matter your age.
For me, diving into joy means fully immersing myself in what brings me happiness and, even if just for a while, forgetting everything else. Diving is about letting go. It’s a free fall into the present moment. When you dive into water, you are completely submerged. Nothing else exists. Whatever is happening on shore becomes irrelevant. That’s how I want to embrace each day—completely, joyfully, and with full presence.
So, I ask you: What joy can you dive into today?