Joy is a funny thing. We often think of it as something grand—something that comes with celebrations, big milestones, or picture-perfect moments. But real joy, the kind that lingers long after the moment has passed, is often found in the smallest, most personal details. A few weeks ago, I unknowingly created three of these moments. No one else knew about them. They were just mine. And what surprised me most was how powerful they became—not just in the moment, but in the way they continue to bring me joy, weeks later.

There is a picture of a loved one who has passed on that sits inside my safe. It is not tucked away or hidden beneath anything. It lays right on top, so every time I open it, their smiling face is the first thing I see.

Every time I reach for something inside, I get this small, unexpected moment of connection. A quiet hello. A smile that reminds me of a hundred memories. No one else knows it is there. No one else gets to feel this moment. But it brings me so much joy.

I had never been to Bozeman, Montana before, but the moment I arrived, I knew I was somewhere special. The fresh mountain air. The crisp blue sky. The feeling of standing in a place that made me want to breathe a little deeper, move a little slower, and soak it all in.

Montana State University is in the heart of Bozeman, and while I was there, I bought MSU stickers and put them on the back of my phone. Every time I set it down, those stickers bring me back to that trip. They remind me of the energy of the town, the beauty of the mountains, and the excitement of knowing I will return one day.

A small detail, but one that now carries so much meaning.

A few weeks ago, I had a spiritual reading with a friend. During the session, she said a simple line to me: This is what dreams are made of. A few days later, I woke up with that song in my head. Yes, the Lizzie McGuire song. Random as hell. But I did not want to forget it, so I set it as an alarm on my phone.

I could have changed it by now, but I have not. Every morning, when I hear those words, it reminds me—this life, right now, is the dream. We are all writing our own stories. We get to own it. Live it. Love it. And just like that, something as ordinary as an alarm clock became a daily reminder of joy.

I did not plan these moments. They just became. And weeks later, they are still bringing me joy. Joy does not have to be a grand event. It can be a song that makes you smile, a sticker that brings back a memory, or a photo that greets you in an unexpected place. It does not have to be something big. It just has to mean something to you.

So, what are your moments? What small things in your life—right now—bring you joy, even if no one else notices them? And if you cannot think of any, maybe today is the perfect time to create one.