ABSTRACT
This chapter serves to reframe safety, a common goal in trauma recovery and TIY, as a necessary step along the way to freedom of expression and joyful living, rather than the end goal of recovery. Contrary to popular opinion, a joyful person is not one without any troubles, but one who has cultivated a wide Window of Tolerance and the capacity to feel the full range of emotion. Often, working through our own trauma history liberates us to connect with ourselves and others in a new way, and to appreciate the wonder of life. Simple joys can come from pleasurable experiences or moments of happiness, but they can also come from cultivating play, curiosity, exploration, and awe. We’ll explore each of these themes in this chapter, and end with suggestions of how to cultivate habits that contribute to happiness and joy.
