Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Once again, as seems to happen more and more, my writing is led in a different direction than I thought I was going.
We hear a lot about joy, especially at this time of year. Joy to the World, Joyeux Noel, peace and joy come to you. Tis the season to be happy. Glad tidings and all of that. We expect to be happy. If we are not, we are sure it’s some flaw within us.
I just finished reading, The Book of Joy. It takes place in April 2015, while Archbishop Desmond Tutu is visiting the Dalai Lama to celebrate His Holiness’s 80th birthday. These two holy men come together, from different backgrounds and beliefs to unit in a message of joy. Who knew that joy can be practiced the same as the piano? It, like any other, is a discipline that improves the more we repeat it.
It might be easier to be joyous during this time of year. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of the holidays, we give in to a feeling of happiness. If only for the moment. The challenge is to continue that feeling throughout the coming year. We are surrounded by the hopelessness of the world we live in. We feel the suffering, adversity and illness of those around us and we struggle with our own demons.
My intention for the new year is to practice joy. To find something to smile about, a person to be happy for, a moment to celebrate. I want these years of my life to be filled with happiness. There has already been enough sadness.
Aging with Grace 
8 responses to “Joy”
I love that book, but haven’t finished reading it yet. Joy dwells inside of us and it’s fun when our eyes land on something to spark that joy. I think life is full of moments of joy, but it’s a matter of slowing down long enough to capture a glimpse of them because they are fleeting. Like, waking up before the sunrise completely unplanned and getting to watch it rise. Walking to the mailbox sparks my joy and seeing a note inside from you causes joy in abundance. Seeing this photo of your tree and how it matches your gifts, sparks joy. Thank you for the note and Merry Christmas to you too my darling. 🎄 PS. LOVED your pinecone stamp!!! All joy!
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Loved to read your definitions of joy. You’re right. It can be experienced in many different ways! Thank you for your card. Merry Christmas to you, my friend.
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Very inspirational Dawn. I’m going to follow your lead this coming year.
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Thank you. We’ll work on joy together. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
For some reason the like button on Word Press won’t work.
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A worthy intention…to practice joy!
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Thank you for your like. For some reason I am unable to like although I have it enabled. Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts for leading a grace filled life, and how to actively participate in having Joy. We have a choice in how we’re going to start our day and end it. Yes things happen in life that we have no control over and people will try to bring you down and take your joy away but it is how we respond and handle those moments that makes the difference. I wish you much Joy and Happiness.
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You’re right. We have a choice in how we approach each day. Wishing you a grace filled life.
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