The importance of joy

 

After Breakfast
Black marker on bond paper
18 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2013
(Hotel breakfasts are starting
to happen again.  Room service 
breakfasts are my favourite.)

The news is soul crushing.  I think that makes it all the more
important to try and find joy. My heart goes out to everyone
in war torn zones. It is beyond devastating what you are living
through.

My mother was a great believer in noticing what was good.  I
don't know how she did that with incredible lung issues, and
being blind for the last years of her life.  She had wonderfully
supportive neighbours.  That was part of it.  When she
was blind she would sneak out to her pool with a swimming
noodle, cross a flagstone path, open the wrought iron gate, and
walk across the very smooth surface around the pool and swim
-- at night.  The neighbours who were watching out for her 
didn't know.

I am posting a piece I did on joy awhile ago. I think it
resonates:

"Joy (or happiness if you like) is most potent in the

heart of hard times.  When you lift your eyes up 

out of sorrow and look around, it's there waiting 

for you.  I think perhaps it's the force of nature

saying -- "Look! Look at me! I'm always here 

to make you happy."  

These are harsh times in many ways.  The news

is brutal and heart breaking.  Anxiety is rocketing,
and instead of crawling back under the covers, joy
beckons us to keep going, call a friend, and make our

voices heard, donate, volunteer and join

a vast joyous choir across this beautiful planet. 

What do you do to express your joy?  Do you paint, 

write letters to friends, spend time with family, or go

for a walk?  I'd love to hear your ideas.

What do I do? I come here and spend time with you. I 
call a dear friend or two, and I settle in to read a book,
I paint, I teach and I dream big."

Have a figuring-out-the-joy day.