#JOY
HOW DID SHE DO IT?
He often asks himself how she did it…
what subtleties did she employ
to help him find his happiness
to help him discover his joy.
IT IS A WONDERFUL WORLD
I have moments I begin to think hatred and pain and suffering in this life are a given
Luckily in the next moment I’m reminded of what a wonderful world I live in.
Yesterday as sadness spread through the world like a virus how was I to know
joy would tap me on the shoulder in the form of:
an old book,
an old song
and a forgotten TV show…
A young couple came into the bookstore not on a specific expedition
but they found a book they both loved and had to have…it was a first edition.
They hugged then kissed as together they held onto that book
“Smile!” I said as with their phone their anniversary picture I took.
Next in the store came a mother…to her chest she was carrying her child
They stopped to say hello and when the baby looked at me…he smiled.
“His name is Malcolm.” his mother said and I could see innocence in his eyes.
He smiled at me every time they passed me and even as he waved goodbye.
For the last half hour we are open in the evening…I do this religiously
as a nice way to end the day…I play the same soft, smooth CD.
When it began to play this older couple came to me…
the wife’s eyes were filled with tears
“This is the song we danced to at our wedding!” She said ,
“and we’ve been married for 35 years!”
They lingered in the store a while, bought a book and were about to leave when…
I said, “Wait one minute. Happy Anniversary!”… and I played their song again.
A young couple a baby and an older couple reminded me of joy
and left me feeling high
as they all, on their way out of the store, smiled and waved goodbye….
In case you were wondering what book, what song, what TV show
here’s the answer to that riddle
It began with A Clockwork Orange
It ended with What a Wonderful World
And the smile that brought such joy…
that was Malcom in the middle.
MORE LITTLE THINGS
I’ve said this over and over again because I believe it to be true
most of our enjoyment in life comes from the little things we do.
Little moments…little adventures…little wonders
that somehow find a way
to enter into our lives…and brighten up our day.
Like moments found by two thin blooded Floridians…both over 65 years old
on a recent camping trip together…when the weather outside turned cold.
They bundled up and took a boat ride…
they listened to what the captain had to teach
they saw a fort that was built but never used
and watched wild horses running on a beach.
They ate the best clam chowder and crab cakes
they had ever been served
and they handed the waitress who served them
a tip she so rightly deserved.
They stood on the edge of the Atlantic ocean
while a flock of birds circled overhead
they tried the Pirate punch in the oldest bar in Florida
and watched as their cheeks turned red.
They watched three sunrises and sunsets
They saw a family of dolphins perform…
they found when you hold hands even if it’s freezing outside
inside you feel warm.
These little moments…little adventures…little wonders
somehow found a way
to enter into their lives…and brighten up their day.
Thus proving once again what I’ve always believed to be true
most of our enjoyment in life…comes from the little things we do.
WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT
When we are young…just starting out…as little girls and boys
Why is it important for us to feel happiness and joy?
Why is it important at least one time every day
for a child to feel joy as they run or jump or play?
Because when we get a little older…there may come a day
when it is a little harder for us to run and jump and play…
On these days when we try…but our bodies are betraying
we can close our eyes and remember
the joy we had while playing.
On these days when we try…but our bodies may be slumping
we can close their eyes and remember
the joy we had while jumping..
On these days we will realize something altogether stunning
when we close our eyes we can remember
the joy we had while running.
MY TEACHERS
There is a wise old saying…an ancient Chinese gem:
When three people walk together my teacher is among them.
We had a simple dinner with some friends and the first thing I was taught
was if you listen but a little…you’re bound to learn a lot..
I learned a lot about sadness
sadness that our basic foundation seems destined to destroy…
I learned if we are ever to survive that sadnesses
we must discover joy.
I learned a lot about how the sadness of a natural disaster,
of divorce
of sickness
of wars that never seem to end
can be offset by the joy that floats around a table
filled with family and friends.
I learned in the midst of a sad world
there is more joy than one might think
as I watched the laughter, support and wisdom
of people sharing food and drink.
As luck would have it other friends came into the restaurant
It was like a holiday!
They were celebrating their 5th grandchild…
born earlier that day.
I learned although weakness can come from sadness,
meant to injure, to bruise…to annoy
our courage, our determination…our strength
comes from our faith, our love…our joy.
I learned this simple lesson which I will from this day forward now employ….
I shall not close my eyes to sadness
but I shall open them more…to joy…
Any ancient Chinese scholar sitting in that restaurant would have smiled…
It would have been easy for he…or she…to see
there was more than one teacher in that room that night…
In truth…they were surrounding me.
HOW COULD HE HAVE KNOWN
While writing the story of his life
when he reached the part where his heart needed mending
how could he have ever known
she would come along
and write his happy ending.
That she would create his joy
his comfort
would compose his music
and his laughter
and the rest of the story would write itself
as
happily ever after.
TO THE STARS AND BACK
We thought his rocking horse would only be ridden in the house….
but it was imagination that we lacked….
for he road to castles,
over rivers,
through the trees…
then to the stars and back.
IN THE FLIGHT OF THE TURTLE DOVE
No matter what happens in his life…he never speaks of pain
Instead he finds treasures in his troubles and pleasures in the rain.
When asked how he endures his suffering…how so easily he copes
he answers that he only thinks of love…of happiness and hope.
He thinks of life as an adventure and all the beauty there is to see…
He finds his peace in the kindness of his friends…in the warmth of his family.
He looks at all the beauty in the world…he finds his inspiration in the turtle dove…
for he knows if he’s to thrive in life…he must fill his heart with love.
He says he’s much too busy…to ever speak of pain…
too busy finding treasures in his troubles and pleasures in the rain.
To busy finding inspiration in the flight of the turtle dove...
too busy filling his heart with hope…with happiness and love.
For he knows outward beauty is fleeting…that one day it will depart
and he knows the only lasting beauty…is the beauty in his heart…
KAYAKING IN THE RAIN
When we planned the family kayak trip we hoped it was preordained
that we would be blessed with beautiful weather…that there would be no chance of rain.
As the day approached our excitement became a little more restrained
when we heard the weatherman report…there was a chance of rain.
But off we paddled anyway…deciding not to give in to our fear…
and the weather…it was beautiful…the river…cool and clear.
Halfway through our kayak trip, however, it did begin to rain
but something happened on that river…let me take a moment to explain.
The rain dropped softly from the sky…and onto us as well…
quietly and gently…in single drops it fell.
There was no thunder…no lightning with it…nothing to cause in us disdain…
Just a simple….serene…and mesmerizing…tender fall of rain.
All got quiet on the river…as mother’s, fathers, sons and daughters
were captivated by the sight and sounds of raindrops diving in the water.
I watched a young girl smile…as the rain fell softly on her head…
“I never thought that raindrops could be this beautiful!” she said.
Nature pleasantly surprised us today…on our little river jaunt…
by giving us a gift of something…we thought we did not want….
So next time we plan a kayak trip…you will not hear me complain
if, as the day of the trip approaches,…there is a chance that it will rain.