Aiming4Joy with Mary Paliath

I’m sharing something that feels vulnerable today — a journal entry I wrote during a really hard morning. This is especially for deep feelers who struggle with self-worth and loneliness at times. Remember to be kind and gentle with yourself. 💗 Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

This episode is about why self-knowledge can serve as a strong foundation for living a meaningful and joyful life.Some examples of questions we can ask ourselves:* What is my overall vision for my life? What do I want to be known for?* What are my values, strengths, and weaknesses?* What drains me? What fills me up? What brings me joy? Dread?* When do I have the most energy? Is it cyclical or consistent? * Am I a morning person or a night owl?* How do I learn? * How does my nervous system respond to crowds, noise, light?* What foods feel good in my body? * How do I like to move?* How do I show up in relationships — am I fair, kind, prone to blame…?* Do I like my work? What parts energize or deplete me?* Do I end most days feeling satisfied, or stuck on a hamster wheel?Understanding ourselves helps us manage all the areas of our lives better.We are the only ones who can truly know ourselves. Loved ones, community and therapy all matter — but no one is more equipped to be our own advocate than us. Practical ways to deepen self-understanding include journaling, self-reflection, making art, astrology, Human Design, the Kolbe Index, Myers-Briggs, etc…Thank you so much for listening ! Sending you so much love.💗🌻If you found this useful or know someone who would enjoy it, please share! Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

Hi Friends! I know it’s been a while. Besides my regular life, I’ve been keeping busy with a few classes on surface pattern design and setting up an art business…. So I’ll be swimming in homework ‘til about June. Yay! But I was able to record a podcast for you today. Would love to hear your thoughts! And I’m also sharing the beauties coming up in the garden. Hope you enjoy! Podcast Summary:* Spring feels more like New Year’s to me than January 1st. I’m wondering how you feel or if you’ve ever thought about it.* How do we find meaning, joy, and peace in daily life while living in a chaotic world? * Thoughts on what self-care actually means.* Self understanding - who you are, what’s most important to you, how you function, etc… is essential for creating meaningful change.* Set intentions, create reminders, and take one step at a time.* Life is short. We all deserve to enjoy our lives and make the most of it!Here are more blooms from the garden today:If you enjoyed this, please like, share and pass it on. Thank you!🌻 Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

We say we want more peace in the world-less anger, less hatred, less violence…We get our news and shake our heads and yell in fury.And how are we in our own lives?Are we calm? Are we kind?Are we understanding?Or do we fill our days with impatience, resentment,judgement, blame,comparison…?Are we nice to our own families,friends, neighbors, strangers?Are we friendly?Do we smile?Do we wait and hold the door?Are we welcoming?Are we generous?Are we thankful?The “world” is made up of us -The we. The I.How can the “world” be more kind and lovingif we’re not kind and loving?How can the world be more peacefulif our own hearts don’t have peace? Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

A personal update, thoughts about the world we’re living in at the moment, and a call to my fellow quiet ones - let’s encourage and inspire each other.This has not been edited so please forgive the pauses, “um”s and my meandering through my thoughts. Figured it was better just to record and post than wait until things are perfect!Thank you as always for being generous with your time.🌻💗 Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

As 2025 draws to a close, I want to thank you. Thank you for taking the time to view my art and photos. Thank you for reading and listening to the words I write. Thank you for subscribing and following. While I still struggle at times with fear and anxiety around sharing, I have gotten so much more comfortable because of you! I am truly grateful!This has been a difficult year for a lot of us. Hopefully we can put it to rest with acceptance and move forward - stronger, braver and wiser from our experiences. May you and the people you hold dear, have a peaceful and blessed 2026. This is my wish for all of us:May we look for and findthe beauty and wonder in the world around us.May we make time for and createmoments of joy every single day.May we experiencekindness and generosity,and may we give back the same.No matter how uncertain life is,may we have confidence in ourselvesand know that we have what it takesto handle anything that comes our way.May we treat ourselves with love and respect,and remember that we are just as importantas everyone else.May we ask for and receivehelp and support when we need it most.May we approach 2026with self-understanding and intention,living one single day at a time.May we go to sleep each nightfeeling goodor at least satisfied,knowing we did our best.And may we remember that each momentis a new beginning,and we can always start again.May we also remember that life is too shortto take for granted.May we live with an open heart -with more love, reverence and gratitude.And may 2026 be the yearwe truly, fully LIVE. Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

Hello Friends,It’s good to post something after what feels like a long break! Thanks for reading and listening. Here are a few things I mentioned in the podcast:I’m pretty sure I heard of the above book thanks to Jason Chatfield and Austin Kleon (see below) - so a big thank you to them. But I could be wrong. In any event, it was an inspiring chat to listen to. And I’ve fallen in love with Lynda Barry!Take good care of yourself.🌻 Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

We’re going into Mother’s Day weekend here in the United States. I wrote this poem about a year after my mother died. It’s been seven years now. We had a very - complex - relationship. Sometimes I still find myself searching, longing, wishing…for a deeper connection with her. Whether or not we have children, we all came from mothers. And regardless of the nature of the relationship, I think we can all probably agree that it is complicated. Happy Mother’s Day wherever in the world you may be. It’s Mother’s Day.I’m so grateful for my life, my son, my P.My friends who nurtured and supported me.I’ve made it this far. Thankful.And yet.There’s a longing.For what?I don’t know.I will pause.Stop striving.Stop planning.And wait. And listen.For the next step.I went and pulled out your photos.So young and vulnerable -a baby with a baby.So solemn.I wish you had a happier life.I wish I could have understood you.I wish I was more acceptingand curious and unafraid.I wish I saw you as you were,not as the Mother I never had.What wonders and magic did youhave within youthat I didn’t notice or see?What would you have told meif I had been more patientor asked some fun questions?Who were you?I wish I could have known you.What would it have been likeif I could have seen youwithout the filter of my pain?What would you have been likeif you knew that someoneaccepted and loved you unconditionally?Or had given you kindness and supportas a young woman?Thank you for bringing me into the world.For giving me life.For everything you’ve taught me.I understand now that you are a part of me.You are in me.I hope you are at peace.Perhaps even happy.Or maybe you’ll be able to feel it through me.I love you. Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

Why is it so hard for you to understandthat I am more than just “your” someone?I am a person, a soul, a human,in my own right!!!!!I have feelings.I have dreams.I have pain.I get tired.I have bad days.I need breaks.I need help too.I want to have fun.I need kindness.I need rest.I need quiet.I need solitude.I need freedom.I also want to be loved.And cherished.And appreciated.And I have every rightTo take up as much space as you!It would be really niceif you actually noticed when I struggleand asked if I was ok,or offered a word of comfort.It would feel so nourishingto be given to.To be looked at with compassion.To be understood.And seen -as my own SELF! Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

A personal update and musings on figuring out our own natural rhythms in this life of ours. If you’ve listened to me before, you probably know that I tend to go off on different tangents and I definitely did I think! Hopefully there’s some nugget in there that’s useful. Topics I’ve touched on here: aging, understanding ourselves, creating an intentional life…And here are some moments of beauty I’ve captured with my camera:And lastly, I would love to hear from you! Tell me in the comments below if there’s anything that resonated or that you’d like me to talk about more. And it doesn’t have to be about this specifically, it could be about any of my posts. I value you and your time and want to make sure that the things I share are helpful in some way. Thank you!🌻 Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

Wishing you so much love and so much joy and beauty! Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

The world is crazy and chaoticand yet I am grateful.I’m grateful for all the peoplewho do so much every single dayto make the world go round.I’m grateful for Spring,for the sunlight, the longer days,and the bursts of spectacular coloragainst the brown earth.I’m grateful for the vibrant Crocuseswith the eager honeybees hovering over them,jostling for the best spot.I’m grateful for the sweet, adorable bunnywho’s decided to make a home in our yard.I’m grateful for the quiet, gentle Snowdropsand the ever cheerful Daffodils.I’m grateful for the birdsand their busy chattering.I’m grateful for the simple,normal, everyday momentswith my Husband and Son.I’m grateful for the conversations with friends.I’m grateful for the precious babies -born a few days ago - twins!I’m grateful for the Artists who createdthe music I’m listening to,the art on my walls,the words I’m readingand the shows I’m watching…I’m grateful that I get to write this poem andI am grateful for the person who will read it.I’m grateful that I made it through another day,that I am breathing.I’m grateful that right now -all is well.And I’m grateful that I’m able to notice that.What about you -what are you grateful forat this very moment?P.S. Remember: a kind and peaceful world starts with kindness to ourselves. Wishing you an abundance of beauty and joy. Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

Thanks for reading Aiming4Joy! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.🌻This is my first video. I’m holding back fear and anxiety just long enough to send this. Once I hit publish I will probably be consumed by it. Breathing…. But I wanted to try speaking to you directly. ‘Cause you mean a lot to me.Please forgive my rambling and staring at the ceiling and everything else…. Video is quite humbling and embarrassing (at least for me).Thank you for watching! And go do something that you’d really like to try but are afraid of. Trust me, if a scaredy-cat like me can do it, you definitely can!!! If you liked this post and know someone who’d enjoy it, please share! ✨🦋✨ Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

Come on in my Dearest.I have made a space for you -in my home,in my daily life.You are safe and protected here.You are surrounded by comfort, and softness,you lack nothing here.You have so many treats to play with.You will never run out of things to do, try, explore…I will always be here to encourage and support you.Even when you’re scared or sad or tired.I will be here to help in whatever ways you need.You will be loved here.You will be accepted here.There is no wrong. No ugly art.No bad writing. No failure.There’s only you,your feelings (all are welcome),joy, play … everything!All you have to do is show up every day.EVERY DAY my love.Because you are important enough to make time for.No rules. No shoulds.No creating if you don’t want to.Just be here. Rest.Gather inspiration from other artists.Open up your senses -look at, taste, listen to - exquisite works of creation.Drench yourself in beauty.Nourish your soul.And when you’re ready,make the magic that only you can. Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

May we embody beauty.May we embody love.May we embody kindness.May we embody comfort.May we embody peace. Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

“I’d love to give you something, but what would help?” I see your suffering - the doubt, the loss of hope, the despair, the numbness, the wanting to escape…. I want to do something, I wish I had the answers, I so dearly care about you - but what would help?The truth is, I can’t fix anything for you. Or tell you what to do. There are no easy answers. But I can tell you how I make it through each day, and what’s worked for me. I can be here to support you with deep listening, I can hold space for you and be your sounding board. I can handle whatever you share. I can bear witness. I can make suggestions.But ultimately, YOU hold all the answers. YOU know everything you need to know. The answers won’t, can’t, come from other people. Only you know what’s right for you. Only you. The answers are all inside you. You are your wisest teacher.So make the space and time to listen to yourself. To sit in quiet. To do nothing. It takes some practice. But then you will know. You will know which choice to make and what to do. You will know because you’re being guided by the greatest expert - Yourself!(Click on audio to hear the rest…) Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Aiming4Joy at marypaliath.substack.com/subscribe