I appreciate this thoughtful exploration of joy. Now, joy is foremost in my mind most days. I've known depths of despair impenetrable by even the narrowest beam of light. Joy is the opposite. It is the ability to recognize and experience ever-present goodness. Seeing eyes soften (or crinkle and widen) when I near. Bracing for the running bear hug when a beloved child sees me arrive. Breathing in sea air. Curiosity at the workings of bees. Still stolen-breath at being in partnership with The Good Husband. The sight and then taste of a bright red strawberry in the late-September garden. Joy. So much joy. The greatest? Knowing I can retreat from those dark depths. Knowing I've learned how.
Thanks David for letting us ponder this sometimes elusive state. I agree it takes effort and a certain way of experiencing the world to find joy. Yes, there is joy when a loved one spontaneously embraces you, a friend smiles at you when you both experience a wow moment. One Christmas season I made the effort everyday to find joy. I took pictures of the moments/ things that brought me joy. It was rewarding to look for it every day. When I spend long time on silent retreat joy erupts spontaneously not related to anything specifically. I then am in a state of joy.
"Happiness is not always there. Joy is. We only have to awaken it, discover it, and rediscover it."
These are very profound words especially the "rediscovering" bit. It can be so challenging these days - perhaps always, if we're brave enough to look back on our world's history - to remain joyful or even hopeful. I feel panicked when I (think) I can no longer access that feeling but so far I can usually find my way back usually just by being contemplative, being alone in my beautiful office or sometimes talking aloud to the right person. Very introspective post.
I appreciate this thoughtful exploration of joy. Now, joy is foremost in my mind most days. I've known depths of despair impenetrable by even the narrowest beam of light. Joy is the opposite. It is the ability to recognize and experience ever-present goodness. Seeing eyes soften (or crinkle and widen) when I near. Bracing for the running bear hug when a beloved child sees me arrive. Breathing in sea air. Curiosity at the workings of bees. Still stolen-breath at being in partnership with The Good Husband. The sight and then taste of a bright red strawberry in the late-September garden. Joy. So much joy. The greatest? Knowing I can retreat from those dark depths. Knowing I've learned how.
Thank you, Kim, for sharing this.
This is so beautiful, Kim.
🫶😊
Wow. Your words resound, and echo.
I'll just say..."What she (Kim) said." 💟☮️
🙏🏻🫶
Thanks David for letting us ponder this sometimes elusive state. I agree it takes effort and a certain way of experiencing the world to find joy. Yes, there is joy when a loved one spontaneously embraces you, a friend smiles at you when you both experience a wow moment. One Christmas season I made the effort everyday to find joy. I took pictures of the moments/ things that brought me joy. It was rewarding to look for it every day. When I spend long time on silent retreat joy erupts spontaneously not related to anything specifically. I then am in a state of joy.
Thank you for sharing this, Dami. Continued joy!
"Happiness is not always there. Joy is. We only have to awaken it, discover it, and rediscover it."
These are very profound words especially the "rediscovering" bit. It can be so challenging these days - perhaps always, if we're brave enough to look back on our world's history - to remain joyful or even hopeful. I feel panicked when I (think) I can no longer access that feeling but so far I can usually find my way back usually just by being contemplative, being alone in my beautiful office or sometimes talking aloud to the right person. Very introspective post.
I am right there with you. ❤️
Thoughtful post, David. Need to think on this…