October 9, 2024

"Be grateful for your life, every detail of it , and your face

will come to shine like the sun, and everyone who sees it 

will be made glad and peaceful. Persist in gratitude, and 

you will slowly become one with the Sun of Love, and

Love will shine through you; its all-healing joy."

— ANDREW HARVEY

Light Upon Light: Inspirations from Rumi

According to James Baraz and Shoshana Alexander in their book Awakening Joy, "you can actually strengthen the happiness circuits in your brain when you are experiencing a moment of joy or contentment—walking, listening to music, watching a sunset, being kind, feeling grateful."

Caregivers, don't miss the sensations in your body and the state of mind when you experience JOY! Happiness comes to meet you! Does your mind feel light and open when you experience joy and happiness?

Dr. Rick Hanson, author of Buddha's Brain, calls this "taking in the good" and suggests first intensifying the experience in your body, then letting it calm down, and then intensifying it again. He says, "As with any positive state of mind, see if you can develop a strong 'sense memory'... so that you can experience and reactivate it."

A caregiver from the support group at Beth Eden Baptist Church shares in the interview below how she activates memories of joy.

Today I (Rev. Dr. Barbara Galloway-Lee) am meeting with Ms. Zee Lewis, who is a member of Beth Eden's Alzheimer's Support Group, to talk about joy. Zee is a member of East Bay Church of Religious Science, and Rev. Dereca Blackmon is her pastor. 

BGL: Thank you, Zee, for talking with me today. "Zee, how do you define JOY, and how does Joy express through you?"

Zee: Thank you, Rev. Barbara. For me, joy is defined as that intrinsic, delightful glow and happiness, NO MATTER WHAT is going on in my life and in the outer world. Sometimes, I express joy through dancing exuberantly, laughing joyously, or praying and meditating. Often, I sit quietly and shed tears of joy because I feel God's love and protection for myself, my family and friends, and my global community.

BGL: "What color is your JOY and why that color(s)?"

Zee: Depending upon my mood, circumstances, and life challenges, JOY might be gray, purple and sage, turquoise, or orange and red. When I see a beautiful rainbow of colors after a rainy day, or a sunrise and sunset, it brings such awe and gratitude. Nature has a variety of colors, which inspire me.

BGL: I see that your middle name is Joyce. Does that hold any significance for you? 

Zee: Yes, it does, although I didn't realize it until I became an adult and was initiated as an elder. The word "Ayo" means JOY in the Yoruba language. I now refer to myself as Elder Z'Ayo. 

BGL: Lastly, how do you share your joy during periods of uncertainty and anxiety? 

Zee: I have a deep faith in God and during times of inner spiritual turmoil, I have to be still and KNOW that God is in control. When I surrender, pray, or seek help from someone I trust, I can be of sacred service to others. Psalms 30:5: "Weeping may endure for a night, but JOY cometh in the morning" is one of my favorite verses, which gives me the strength to be a support for other people who are in need. Practicing consistent self-care enables me to retain my joy and be a wellspring of joy and happiness through good and challenging times. Rev. Barbara, thank you for allowing me to talk about an important topic that means so much to me.

BGL: Thank you, Zelma Lewis, for your insights on joy.

 Check out this video on Mindfulness Meditation for Joy & Happiness 

Caregivers, you can consciously cultivate this power of a joyful heart. Each day while attending to others, you may have the opportunity to develop a grateful heart by paying attention to small things around you. Even if this is uncomfortable, it is still possible to find some joy! " There is sunshine after the rain."

With happiness and a grateful heart,

Rev. Dr. Barbara Galloway-Lee

Community FCSP Coordinator at DayBreak

1) What are 3 words that describe you?

Three words that describe me are: funny, empathetic, and adventurous.

2) How long have you been with DayBreak Adult Care, and what brought you here?             

I have been with DayBreak for nearly two years, and I truly love what I do! I joined DayBreak because I wanted to work for an organization that makes a positive impact on vulnerable populations in our community. I take pride in contributing to this mission every day by providing safe housing and connecting individuals with the resources they need to thrive, even after our services ends.

3) What do you enjoy most about your role?

As a case manager, I love working with my clients and celebrating their successes! It brings me great joy to see them happy and safe. I also truly enjoy being part of this team; everyone is incredibly caring and passionate about supporting our elders, making it a pleasure to work alongside them.

4) What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Any hobbies or interests?

I really enjoy spending quality time with my family, hitting the gym, trying out new and favorite restaurants, watching movies, and traveling to beach destinations. I also love cuddling with my two dogs!

Thank you, Thania, for all that you do for our clients and community.

We greatly appreciate you!

At DayBreak, we are dedicated to improving the quality of life for elders and family caregivers in our community. We aim to empower and support them as they navigate challenges with dignity.

If you know an elder in need of our care and coordination services, or a caregiver seeking support, please encourage them to reach out to us at: 

510-834-8314