Hope is the light we carry!

Hope Is the Light We Carry

Finding Joy, Meaning, and Authenticity During the Holidays

By Sylvia Stinson-Perez

The holidays have a way of stirring everything. We experience joy and laughter, memories and traditions, expectations, pressure, magic… sometimes all in the same breath. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, Why does this season feel so full and so heavy at the same time?—you’re not alone. And that’s exactly why Episode 3 of Treading the Waters of Life feels so timely.

              In our holiday episode, “Hope Is the Light We Carry,” I had the joy of sitting down with two thoughtful, inspiring friends—Gabriel Lopez and Emily Damm—for a conversation that felt like a deep exhale. It’s honest, uplifting, reflective, and yes… fun. The kind of conversation that reminds you that hope isn’t something we stumble upon—it’s something we practice.

Finding Joy Right Where You Are

              We began with a simple question:

“Before we go deep, what has brought you joy recently?” Not surprising, we all focused on real everyday moments, not the big, shiny moments. We talked about quiet rest and meaningful friendships, music, and even dancing. We talked about the power of slowing down and letting ourselves be present, especially during the holidays. Joy doesn’t always come from doing more—it often comes from noticing more.

What Does It Mean to “Tread the Waters of Life”?

When life feels uncertain or heavy, what keeps you afloat?

              One lesson I have learned, and really want to ensure is expressed in my content, whether the book “Treading The Waters Of Life,” through the podcast, and in my other content sharing, is that we all are just trying our best to tread the waters of our life, authentically, joyfully, and resiliently. We have so much more in common than we think. It is my joy to help connect people to others who are walking this journey—with the hope that we will all recognize ourselves and our impact in the stories of those I know.

              Gabriel shared how hope carried him through uncertainty while finding his career path—and how choosing not to give up changed everything.

Emily reminded us that even joyful seasons can feel complicated—and that holding both joy and heaviness is part of being human.

That truth matters, especially during the holidays.

Finding Joy (Even When Life Is Heavy)

              This episode was really fun and impactful for me, and I know will be for others. Here are some of the practical, heart-centered inspiration, and wise thoughts shared:

• the grounding power of sharing food and connection

•navigating joy and grief without guilt

•Emily’s beautiful idea of creating a “Holiday Hope List”—a simple way to name what brings meaning, magic, and intention to your season

Living Authentically—Even When It’s Hard

              We also talked about what it really means to live authentically:

• Surrounding yourself with people who both challenge and uplift you

• recognizing how fear—especially fear of judgment—keeps us from being our truest selves

•understanding that sometimes choosing yourself is the bravest act of all

Just like in previous episodes, we returned to something I deeply believe: put the devices down and live fully present in the moments that matter most.

Kindness, Boundaries, and Self-Care

              Emily shared words that stayed with me:

“Say no without guilt and yes to things that bring magic.”

“What you are not changing, you are choosing.”

Kindness and generosity matter—but so does taking care of yourself. The two are not opposites; they’re deeply connected.

What I Hope You Take With You

• Hope is a practice.
• Joy is found in small moments.
• Authenticity is a gift that we all need to give to ourselves.

One Simple Action to Try This Week

• Begin your mornings with prayer, meditation, or a moment of stillness

• Start a gratitude practice—at the end of the day write down three things that brought you joy

Small practices can create powerful shifts.

Want to Go Deeper?

If this conversation resonated with you, I invite you to explore the book that inspired the podcast:

Treading The Waters of Life: A Guide to Self-Reflection and Action.

In it, I dive deeper into the themes of hope, joy, and resilience that come alive in this episode.

Ready to Listen?

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Even in the busiest seasons, hope is still lighting the way.

Give yourself permission to choose intention, joy, and peace—you’re worth it. 💛