June 24, 2025 | Issue Archive
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Hey there, my friend,
If the world feels heavy right now—even in what is a holiday week for many of us—you’re not alone.
But joy?
Joy’s still here.
You don’t have to chase it. You just have to notice it.
Psychologist Barbara Fredrickson, a pioneer in positive emotions research, says even fleeting experiences of joy—what she calls “micro-moments of positivity”—can create real psychological and physiological benefits.
So I thought I’d share a few of my micro-moments with an invitation to try them, tweak them, and make them your own.
These tiny joys help me come home to myself again and again... even as uncertainty swirls around me.
7 Tiny Joys That Can Shift Your Entire Day
- Look out the window. Not for answers. Just for beauty. I bought a bird feeder during the pandemic. Anyone else? I had no idea the joy it would bring, just a periodic pause to see who has stopped by. That 20-second pause can rewire your nervous system. What do you see right now that you’ve been too busy to notice?
- Oil your beard. (Or your hands. Or your elbows.) No, really. Slow down. Feel your skin. Let it be an act of care instead of a chore. It’s not grooming—it’s grounding.
- Write something that no one will see. Sometimes I journal for for productivity. Sometimes for content. But often times, it’s just to bring to the outside something I’m thinking or feeling inside. One line is enough. “I’m proud of how I showed up today.” “I’m grateful for the sunshine today.” That’s joy.
- Let go of one thing you “should” do—even for now—to make room for one thing you want to do. Tiny joy comes when you release the pressure. A few days ago, I gave myself permission not to dive straight into a big strategy plan. Instead? I played with AI for 10 minutes just to explore. No outcome. Just curiosity. Felt good. Then I was ready for the rest of the day.
- Take a ‘wonder walk.’ Not a power walk. Not a walk-and-talk. Just walk and wonder. I look for yellow flowers. I listen for birds. It shifts something inside me every time. I just read an article this week about baseball manager, Bruce Bochy, who managed the San Francisco Giants to three World Series championships... He said on the road, he kept a daily routine which included an “afternoon walk to the ballpark, no music, no podcasts, just his thoughts.” Try this: walk and ask, “What’s beautiful right now?”
- Play a song that lifts your spirit. Sometimes you don’t need motivation. You need music. I’ve built up a “Shawn Live” playlist with songs that capture the energy I want to bring to my “Choose Your Ending” events. When my energy wanes during the day, sometimes I hit shuffle on that playlist and jump and clap and dance (my version of dancing, anyway) to reset for the next task. What’s your go-to anthem that I should add to my list?
- Say this out loud: “This moment is enough.” Joy isn’t in the next promotion or next vacation. It’s here. Now. Breathe it in. Speak it. Let that truth rewire your system.
THIS ENDS NOW
Identify one habit, belief, or behavior that’s no longer serving you—and let it go.
No more believing that joy is a reward you have to earn.
Or that it only comes in grand achievements.
Joy is not a destination.
It’s a decision.
THIS MOMENT MATTERS
One simple, actionable step to take to create a ripple effect of change in your life
What’s one tiny joy you can create today?
- A 3-minute song break
- A walk without your phone
- A hug you hold 5 seconds longer
- A journal entry that starts with “Today I’m grateful for…”
Remember:
Moments create momentum.
And your energy is contagious.
One moment of joy can shift your whole trajectory... and the trajectory of those around you.
Here’s to finding more joy as you navigate the remainder of the week ahead.
It doesn’t take much, you know. 😉
Up we go—
P.S. If your team is navigating uncertainty, I’d love to support you. This is the work I do—in keynotes, workshops, and real conversations that help people reconnect to peace and power in the moments that matter. Just click here and book a time to chat.