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.

Letting Go of Those We Love

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 23, 2018
Post category:Depression Divorce Health and Fitness Joy Love mindfulness Relationships Self-care Spirituality

Love deeply. Live deeply. And when you lose someone, go on loving as deeply as you can. In the case of my brother, I will go on loving him as he becomes a spirit.

Co-Parenting Problems and Healing Strategies

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 20, 2018
Post category:Anger burn Co-Parenting Dating Depression Divorce Health and Fitness Joy Love Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad

Always treat your co-parent with respect and compassion. A metaphor for co-parenting might be, "Treat them as well as you do a convenience store clerk." You want to get in and get out with as little hassle as possible.

Are We All Hungry Tigers? Passionate? Predatory?

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 2, 2018
Post category:Dating Health and Fitness Joy Love Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad

Here's a quick test you can run at home. While walking around today, your city, your grocery store, your public streets, notice your attraction to other animals, other animals of…

Voyeurism, Sadness, and Traveling Alone: a Tincture of Depression

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 1, 2018
Post category:Dating Depression Health and Fitness Joy Love Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad Spirituality

It's amazing to be away from your lover and feel the feelings of longing and pain. Remembering what it was like when we were not in a relationship. I crave being in a relationship. And today, I am lucky. I am loved and in a loving relationship.

Guidance and Direction Request from John of The Whole Parent

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 17, 2018
Post category:Co-Parenting Dating Depression Divorce Joy Love Married Life Money Parenting Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad Spirituality

Hi, and thanks for being a reader of The Whole Parent. A lot has changed since I started this blog over 5-years ago. My life has been through so many…

Young Girls at the Pool: Youth and the Folly of Desire

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 14, 2018
Post category:Dating Joy Self-care Sex Single-Dad

I was in the pool yesterday with my girlfriend. My beautiful and lovely girlfriend. And two pair of girls entered the pool with us. Two very different pairs of girls.…

The Divorce Part You’ll Never Understand: Living Within the Compromise

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 7, 2018
Post category:burn Co-Parenting Divorce Joy Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad

So while I unload and vent on this site from time to time, know that my intentions towards my kids are pure and my relationship between myself and my ex-wife may be in the "it's complicated" setting for now, but we're working on it.