There’s something delightfully defiant about joy. It’s not just an emotion—it’s a choice, a rebellion against the heaviness of the world. And perhaps, as the quote in the image so perfectly captures, joy is something we choose when we decide to let sorrow slip through our fingers and instead, immerse ourselves in lightness—like bubbles dancing to the surface of a warm bath.

Today’s card from my Art of Life Inspiration Deck…does it resonate?
Give up on sorrow. Swim in bubbles of joy.
These words speak directly to the soul. They don’t minimize pain, but they offer an invitation—a new path forward.
In a world that so often rewards busyness, struggle, and seriousness, joy can feel like a guilty pleasure. Something reserved for holidays or those fleeting moments of celebration. But what if we flipped the narrative? What if joy wasn’t a reward but a way of life?
Letting go of sorrow doesn’t mean denying what hurts. It means acknowledging it, honoring it, and then loosening your grip. Sorrow has a weight to it, a gravity. It pulls us inward, downward. But joy—ah, joy—lifts. It expands. It floats.
There is courage in choosing joy. Especially when the world tells you it’s impractical. When people say, “Don’t get your hopes up.” Or “Be realistic.” Choosing joy is not naïve. It’s powerful. It’s transformative. It says, “I know life can be hard. And I’m still going to dance.”
The image of “swimming in bubbles of joy” evokes a childlike freedom. Picture it: eyes closed, arms spread, water surrounding you—not heavy or murky, but alive with sparkling air. That’s what joy can be. It’s not about the absence of hardship. It’s about being present enough to notice the small, shimmering miracles: sunlight through a window, laughter from another room, the first sip of tea, or the unexpected kindness of a stranger.
Each bubble is a moment of grace. A reason to smile. And the more you notice them, the more they seem to multiply.
What if you began your days not with worry or a checklist, but with a question: What brings me joy today?
Maybe it’s painting. Maybe it’s a walk beneath the trees. Maybe it’s a guilty-pleasure playlist or whispering to a friend, “Let’s do something silly.”
Whatever it is, lean in. Let joy guide you. Not in a shallow way, but as a deep, sacred commitment to the kind of life you want to live.
I love to keep a Joy List of all the things that spark joy, including:

This bathtub is filled with lilies grown by a passionate Water Lily enthusiast. You may enjoy reading about him on my blog>>
Here’s a gentle, joy-sparking guide for how to make your own aromatherapy bubble bath—perfect for swimming in your own bubbles of joy at home:
How to Make Your Own Aromatherapy Bubble Bath
Infuse your soak with peace, pleasure, and plant-powered goodness.
For Joyful Uplift:
For Deep Relaxation:
For Romance & Self-Love:
Joy isn’t a luxury. It’s part of healing. It reminds us that even in grief, even in uncertainty, there are still reasons to stay soft, to stay open. And when we swim in joy, we don’t just lift ourselves—we ripple out that light to others.
So here’s your permission slip:
Give up on sorrow—just for a moment.
Swim in bubbles of joy.
And trust that joy is never too small to matter.
When it rains, I paint summer

With love,
Cassie, The JoyFul Artist
xxx
P.S. You may love these healthy Bliss Balls!
Posted in: Blog
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All my creations are infused with positive energy, love, and light. I believe in the power of beauty, joy, love, purpose, and creativity to transform your life.
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