Joy

Recently, I found myself asking the question: How much Joy do I have in my life? Not how much money or how much success, but how much Joy? I am in my 6th decade and if I don’t ask the question now, then when? I don’t confuse happiness with Joy. Happiness is fleeting. It comes and goes and is too often dependent on circumstances. No, I’m talking about Joy, a Joy that is deep and abiding, the kind  that whistles in the dark and cannot be dictated to. I’ve been thinking a lot about Joy - how to get it or maybe, how to get it back. I think Joy hangs out with Gratitude. I think it’s the antithesis to worry.  What exactly is the anatomy of Joy? But I veer off course even asking that question. Because Joy is not a formula, or a dissection, or an analytical thesis. I don’t claim to know the full definition of Joy but I think it’s something rooted, yet free; abandoned, but not chaotic. Face up turned fearless, arms flung wide open…. ready to receive.

Joy centers us. It goes deep and lifts. It is strong. No weakling has abiding Joy. It is made of sturdy stuff crowned with a child’s laugh.

​How much joy do you have in your life? it is a question worth asking.  Love to all!