Joy Archives

Finding joy in your life is a big part of the plan.

I believe we have set points, but not of happiness, of joy. I know that even in moments of extreme grief I can feel joy. Joy is a pursuit. Joy is either a focus of your attention or not. It’s kind of like being positive, but it’s different.

Joy is different than happiness. Joy is part of our internal compass. You’ve got to find your own inner joy. It’s a big shift, this focus on inner joy and not outer happiness. I cannot control many of the aspects of my life. I am not always happy. But, I am learning to be always joyful.

17 Simple Ways to Say “I Love You”

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 22, 2023
Post category:Dating Joy Love relationship building Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad

It's the little things that signal to another person how much you care about them. Sure the big things are more important, but it's the little things that get you there.

The Joy of Divorce and the 3 Gifts of Breaking Up

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 21, 2023
Post category:Anger burn Co-Parenting Dating Depression Divorce Health and Fitness humans of divorce Joy Love Married Life Money Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad Spirituality

What I do best in life is love. And that I have been given a gift for sharing that experience via writing and music, is one of the major wins in my life. This new lease on love is another. May you find what you were looking for. May you find the happiness that comes from within so you can share it with others. The divorce gave me back my joy and freedom and allowed me a second chance to find life-long love.

Dating Lessons: All This Swiping Feels a Bit Demeaning

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 15, 2023
Post category:Dating Health and Fitness Joy Love Relationships Self-care Single-Dad

I have moved into the bedroom too quickly the last two times out. Both relationships taught me huge valuable lessons. And both relationships fulfilled some emptiness I was carrying around when we got together.

Divorce Recovery: How Long Must We Stick to the Lie?

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 12, 2023
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Depression Divorce humans of divorce Joy Love Married Life Money Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad Spirituality

I don't want a single parent to get lost in the shuffle of divorce. I want fathers and mothers to have equal access to their children, even in the case of divorce.

Relationships at the Speed of Life: On Becoming a Couple Together

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 8, 2023
Post category:Dating Health and Fitness Joy Love relationship building Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad Spirituality

I'm a handful. I'm whimsical. I'm capricious. I have a lot of irons in the fire. And, sure, I demand a woman with a high level of confidence and well-seasoned experience in relationship building. We've got to both be into the evolution of becoming a couple.

You Saw the Red Flags, Right? Why We Lean In When We Should Leave

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 1, 2023
Post category:Dating Drinking Health and Fitness Joy Love relationship building Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad

I'm sensing some sort of "shoe ready to drop" but it's all in my mind at this point. It's like PTSD from my past relationships. I don't really recognize when I meet a healthy partner.

What I Learned About Sex: It’s Almost All In Your Mind

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 31, 2023
Post category:Dating Depression Health and Fitness Joy Love relationship building Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad Spirituality

Know what does it for you and being able to show or tell your partner is a key ingredient for evolved sex. As we can let go of traditional SEX as the goal and open up to the full range of erotic experiences, we can expand our pleasure and our sexual vocabularies.