It happened on Sunday. The pastor in his sermon asked us to answer a series of questions. I only heard the first question. I don’t know if it was the mood I was in or if my mind took a vacation but I was completely blank. The question was: “what is your greatest joy?”
It was terrible to be asked that question and to have absolutely no answer. We were told to just think about the first thing to pop into our minds but for me that was nothing. I have been thinking about it since. Do I not have a greatest joy? My life is really good. I have a wonderful husband and family, a beautiful home and I could go on. What is wrong with me? I don’t know if the words “greatest joy” drove all else from my mind or if I really don’t have an answer.
Many things bring me joy. Sometimes just the smallest things but I can’t classify them as the greatest joy. I guess my list is either endless or nonexistent. The question has totally overwhelmed me.
Is there something wrong with me?
Am I taking the question in a wrong way?
Does anyone have any thoughts about this?
worry-less-journey 
Perhaps you need to start experimenting and experiencing to find your greatest joy. When I was a kid, I was pretty depressed and I disassociated to deal with it, and I don’t have a ton of childhood memories that are very clear because of that, so I have been experimenting with different activities and being mindful and experiencing life with a new alertness and I have found lots of great joys this way. Maybe you could try a gratitude log and discover your greatest joys from there. I don’t think that there is anything wrong with you and I wish you luck and an adventurous spirit as you search for your greatest joy!
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Thanks for the thoughts. Being mindful is a good idea. I’m beginning to think the question also hit me wrong as I have many joys. I just can’t pick one or put them under one category.
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When I was going through my divorce I was seeing a counselor. It was a very stressful time and sad end to a 26-year relationship. My counselor was encouraging me to go out and stay busy and she asked me: “What do you do for fun?” I sat there dazed unable to think of anything immediately. Life had become all work – work at work and work at home. There is nothing wrong with you. We have much to be grateful for, but it’s not always easy to name the things we are most passionate about, that give us the greatest joy. And sometimes the mundane parts of life take over 🙂 My greatest joy now is being out in nature.
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I agree. I have concluded that it was just that my answer was way beyond the question. I’m not sure that I have one greatest joy but many that feed me. Each is joyful in its time and place and I revel in it. Can’t be one unless I could put some broad umbrella over them but that doesn’t work for me.
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