James Baraz is the author of the book, Awakening Joy. 10 Steps to Happiness. Many of us are asking the question, ”how can we feel joy in the midst of war and suffering — and the many terrifying things that are happening in our world.”

James believes that it’s more important than ever that we open up to this feeling. And, if the word joy doesn’t feel right, he says, we can consider the many dimensions of wellbeing— from joy to happiness to goodness to contentment and peace. All of these wholesome states inspire love, kindness, generosity, and compassion. We need this now. It’s a time for our hearts and minds to be expansive so that we can process all of the challenges in our world. If we only focus on sorrows, we’re contracted, living in despair, hopelessness, and negativity. If we’re only living in joy, we are missing the totality of life…the larger perspective. Both are always present. 10,000 joys and 10,000 sorrows. It’s the full range of life experiences that shapes our capacity for compassion and who we are as human beings.