“Amidst painful trials,
Smiling radiates within,
Beauty born of strength.”
In the rollercoaster ride of life, there are several moments and tides when we feel like we’re plunging headfirst into an endless abyss of suckiness. But guess what? It’s ok—completely ok.
In fact, it’s during these challenging times that we often find our greatest strengths and inspirations. This is what Chief Joy Officer Loka Pandya believes in.
Due to his vivacious nature, this pied piper of joy is on a quest to infuse gloomy lives with excitement and genuine happiness.
Loka is a serial entrepreneur and a purveyor of happiness who hails from India, a country known for its spiritual traditions. He was among those individuals who had their fair share of struggles and pain in their lives before arriving at a place where life danced to their snaps.
At a very young age, Loka lost his mother to depression. This incident shattered him beyond words and snatched away his true happiness. He became an over-functioning people-pleaser, never wanting anyone to go through what his mother did.
Times went by, and he achieved more than one can imagine, including building a multi-million dollar hospitality business. Yet, he was constantly on an unexplained roller coaster of emotions.
That’s when he realized that something was missing – namely, joy.
He traveled across the world, just on the quest to find joy, which was always inside him. With this epiphany, he discovered his calling in life and began to employ his charisma to inspire people to rediscover the inner joy they had been missing. From facing the lowest of lows to finding joy in his life and helping others find it, Loka has evolved.
So, what made Loka overcome the suckiest of times in his life?
According to Loka, it starts with recognizing that these tough times are a natural part of our existence. Everyone has felt the sting of life’s hardships at some point or another, but what is important is to gain lessons from these trials and use them to propel you forward. Here are a few things he thinks one should do:
Change the Perspective:
One powerful way to do this is by reframing our perspective on difficult times. Instead of labeling them as “sucky” or “funky,” Loka suggests viewing them as “times of contraction.”
During these periods, we should ask ourselves what we need to feel better – more rest, self-love, play, nourishment, healing, or something entirely different. By tuning into our body, mind, and soul, we can identify the areas that require attention and begin the process of healing and expansion.
Heal Yourself:
Loka also suggests shifting your focus to healing yourself through hard times and releasing the related emotions in a creative way to cultivate joy in oneself even in times of despair.
“When we heal, we change our default to come from inner peace, which is where joy comes from,” Loka posits. To release the emotions, Loka recommends the following:
- Journal your feelings
- Sing your feelings
- Dance your feelings away.
- Discuss your feelings.
Did you know that having a positive outlook can actually improve your health and increase your lifespan? It’s true!
According to a University of North Dakota study, optimistic people live longer and have better health than pessimistic people. We can boost our overall happiness and prosperity by embracing challenges and seizing the day.
As we journey through life’s peaks and valleys, it’s essential to remember that we are allowed and encouraged to find joy in both the good times and the bad. Loka reminds us that “joy is honoring and feeling the suck, learning from the suck, and having gratitude for the suck.”
By adopting this way of thinking, we can turn even the hardest times into chances for growth, self-discovery, and cultivating joy.
So are you ready to embrace the suck? Connect with Loka Pandya on Instagram for a daily dose of inspiration, or visit his website and jump on the bandwagon of joy.
- “As chicaadmin at The Chicago Weekly, I curate trending national and international news stories with a focus on social justice and cultural impact. My passion for journalism and commitment to independent media are fueled by my Chicago roots and belief in the power of storytelling to connect communities. Follow me on Twitter for insightful commentary and news updates!”
