The Hummingbird Returns — Rediscovering Joy

After years of survival, joy can feel foreign, almost unreachable. Trauma, grief, and hardship can make even small moments of happiness feel undeserved or strange. But the hummingbird returns to remind us of a simple truth: joy is not a luxury—it is your birthright.
 
The hummingbird flits lightly, hovering in beauty and sweetness, never weighed down by what came before. It reminds us that even in the aftermath of struggle, there is a place for delight, wonder, and the gentle thrill of life’s small pleasures.
 
Reflection
Through the Lasagna Lens, joy is a quiet rebellion. Just as layers of a lasagna must meld and rest to reach their fullness, joy takes time to integrate after trauma. It’s not always loud or flashy—it can appear in subtle, sacred moments:

• Lighting a candle just for yourself, even if no one notices.
• Laughing at a private joke or memory that lifts your spirit.
• Cooking your favorite meal without guilt, savoring each bite.

Healing is often framed as “leaving the pain behind,” but real restoration includes welcoming delight back into your soul. Joy doesn’t cancel grief; it coexists alongside it, like sunlight breaking through clouds. The hummingbird teaches us that life can be vibrant and sweet again, and that returning to joy is not frivolous—it is essential.
 
Lasagna Layer: Joy
Think of joy as the flavor that emerges when peace has taken root. After the layers of struggle, patience, and release, joy is the seasoning that makes life taste alive again. It is the lightness that reminds your soul it’s still here, resilient and capable of savoring life.
Joy is not fleeting. It’s a gentle, steady presence when we allow ourselves to notice it, nurture it, and prioritize it—even in the smallest of ways.
 
Holiday Reflection
During the holidays, it’s easy to focus on past pain, unmet expectations, or losses. The hummingbird reminds us to seek delight intentionally, even if only in tiny doses.
Each day, find one small thing that makes you smile. Perhaps it’s:

• A warm cup of tea in the morning.
• The sound of laughter, even from a movie.
• A candle flickering by the window.

Let joy whisper louder than the old pain. Each small moment is a thread, slowly weaving a tapestry of hope and light.
 
Scripture
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
— Nehemiah 8:10
This verse reminds us that joy is not just a pleasant feeling—it is a source of resilience, courage, and restoration. The Lord’s joy fortifies our spirit, reminding us that even after struggle, our hearts can beat with delight and gratitude.
 
As the hummingbird returns to your life, let it remind you: you are allowed to delight in the sweetness of living. Joy does not negate the past—it honors your survival and celebrates your presence here, now.
 
Take time to notice the small pleasures. Savor them. Let them accumulate like layers of a lasagna, rich and warm, until your soul remembers the full flavor of life again.
 
Layered with Love,
Sam The Lasagna Lady®