Joy
Is a Moment
“Joy
is not a constant. It comes to us in moments—often ordinary moments…A joyful
life is not a floodlight of joy. That would eventually become unbearable. I
believe a joyful life is made up of joyful moments gracefully strung together
by trust, gratitude, and inspiration.”
Brene
Brown
I
wonder how many moments of pure joy you experience in any given day. I don’t
find joy to be something I strive for; it’s not a knight in shining armor come to save me, or a
continuous celebration. For me, at least, it’s most often a quiet thing. A glimpse
of dazzling sunlight through golden autumn leaves. Watching Liza’s doggie-dance
because she’s so excited she can’t be still. Listening to my sons banter together.
There’s a photograph circulating
on Facebook of Jane Goodall and Greta Thunberg sitting together at the climate
summit last week. They are looking into each other’s faces with delighted recognition.
It’s so sweet—like two old souls who have magically found each other after eons
apart. I keep going back to look at it because it gives me such pleasure.
Looking out my study
window, at the blue, blue sky, I watch a high-flying plane leave a cloud
contrail as straight as a pencil across it. Just the pure, clean colors, and
the clear, white light make my chest swell with joy.
Joy is not a place we
live, but a crossroads through which we pass. If we are awake enough to receive joy
when it tip-toes up on little mouse feet, we find that those moments string
together to make up a significant part of every day. In such moments, we are
caught up and transported to a place of knowing that all is well, and that we,
too, are well.
Joy is a little crack in
the clouds through which we catch a glimpse of the face of God. There’s a wink,
and then it’s gone. Savor those moments today.
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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