Finding Joy in a Complex World| Day in the life RCD

Hello RCD readers

We often spend our lives trying to categorize the world into neat little boxes. This person is "good." That person is "bad." We want life to be a simple script where the heroes wear white and the villains wear black. But as I’ve grown and observed the diversity of character around me, I’ve realized the truth is much more messy—and much more liberating.

We are All Someone’s Villain

The hardest pill to swallow is realizing that nobody is a 100% good or bad person. We are both.

Depending on whose story is being told, you might be the angel who saved the day, or you might be the villain who caused the heartbreak. You are beautiful to one person and plain to another; a genius to your peers and "clueless" to your critics.

Accepting this has changed how I see people. When someone hurts me or acts out, I try to stop seeing them as a "bad person" and start seeing them simply as human. Humans are flawed, inconsistent, and often reacting out of their own hidden shadows.

Strangers vs. Shadows

Life has a funny way of showing you who people really are. I’ve experienced a strange phenomenon: receiving more genuine support from a complete stranger on the street than from someone who has been in my life for nine years. I’ve felt more pure love from the small, unprompted acts of kindness from a child than from an adult trying to "perform" happiness for my sake.

People change. Close friends become strangers. But instead of letting that reality breed bitterness, I use it as a signal to look elsewhere.

Joy is a Disciplined Choice

You’ve heard it before: Happiness is a choice. But let’s be real—it’s a hard choice to maintain.

When someone does me wrong, anger and resentment are the loudest voices in the room. They want to be heard. But I choose not to listen. I choose to focus on the good because holding onto what they did wrong doesn't hurt them—it only weighs me down.

I’m not perfect either. I’ve made mistakes and likely ended up as the "villain" in someone else's memory. Recognizing my own imperfection makes it much easier to extend grace to others.

Radical Authenticity (The "Vibe" Check)

There is a difference between being kind and being a doormat. For a long time, society taught us to "force it" for the sake of politeness—to smile when our gut says no.

I’ve moved past that. I read vibes, and I trust them. If my spirit tells me to stay guarded, I’m not opening up. This isn't about being mean or causing a scene; it’s about disconnection. I won’t force a fake "groove" just to make a social setting feel smooth. People make their choices, and I make mine. Standing up for your peace isn't "rude"—it's self-respect.

The Source of Peace

At the end of the day, I’ve found that you can’t find permanent joy in people. People are shifting shadows.

True peace comes from a higher place. Being grateful for what the Lord gives—regardless of how people treat you—is the only way to find that steady, unshakable joy. When you stop looking for validation in others and start looking at your blessings, the world's noise starts to fade away.

Choose kindness. Choose your peace. Choose joy.

Until next time,

Have a blessed week