Ricardo Viso on choosing joy after loss and cancer
At just ten years old, Ricardo Viso’s mom dropped him and his brother off at the bowling alley and promised she’d be right back. She never came back. That loss, followed years later by a cancer diagnosis, reshaped the way Viso approaches life.
Listen on The Life Shift Podcast or watch on YouTube.
We talked about how grief can shape siblings differently, why joy isn’t something that just happens, and how perspective becomes a choice when life feels impossible. Here are a few reflections pulled from our conversation:
Three things to think about
Grief doesn’t land the same way for everyone—even in the same family.
Perspective isn’t about ignoring pain but deciding how you’ll carry it.
Joy is built with intention, the same way we build strength or discipline.
Two things to ask yourself
What tough moments have shaped the way you see joy today?
How can you intentionally practice joy instead of waiting for it to arrive?
One thing to try this week
Keep a daily note of one joyful moment – no matter how small – for seven days. Notice how it shifts your outlook.
Thanks for reading and reflecting with me. If Ricardo’s story resonates, I’d love for you to listen and share your thoughts.
Listen here: www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/s4e215
Matt
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PS: I created a short-form podcast, “It’s Okay If…” Each episode is under three minutes long and provides a permission slip to be human. I’d be honored if you subscribed to the show. New episodes are released every Wednesday at noon ET.
