Good Morning, Dear Creator,
First, my thanks for the beautiful day yesterday. I got the chance to enjoy the nice weather and walk by the river, through some woods, and downtown.
While walking, I also spent some time contemplating joy. You know, sort of big picture stuff. After all, I keep thinking, “Who doesn’t want more joy in their life?”
Part of that thinking yesterday was to begin putting together a plan, where I would write about joy today in these pages, and each day, maybe, for the next week or so.
That was the plan. This morning, though, I’m not feeling very joyful. – No, that’s not quite it. – I’m not feeling able to easily articulate my vision of joy.
Part of that, I believe, is because I’m manipulating the process and not just opening to the flow. Yet, in this instance, I am choosing to persist. It is time for me to do a little work; a little heavy lifting.
What I was thinking about yesterday was this one life strategy that I formerly held, and, I believe, is shared by many – the vision of The Perfect, Easy Life. In that vision, the mission would be to create a life where everything came together perfectly, and then stayed that way, humming along easily and never changing. You know – “Happily Ever After.”
Honestly, I believe there are a couple problems with that strategy. One is that no matter how wonderful any one thing may be, over time we would get bored, sick, and tired of it. Variety is the spice of Life, right?
Think about it – what is something you would just love to be doing right now? (Aside from finishing to read this post!) I’ll use the thought that just came to me, but please fill in your own. So, I am imagining sitting on a beautiful beach, alone, a warm breeze blowing, and I’m just listening to the surf and the gulls, and I’m watching the waves and boats on the horizon. Wow – so peaceful and beautiful! I feel restful, calm, and at peace.
Then, I try to imagine what it would be like if that’s all I had, all I did, every day. I’d get sick of myself with so much alone time. I know I’d dream of mountains, lakes, and streams; even cities, markets, and promenades.
We have a deep core desire for variety and adventure, yet we believe we can only find joy under particular conditions.
That brings us to the second problem with that Idealized Life. Even if we could find a way to be content with everything always the same, The Nature of the World is – Change. Everything changes, all the time.
Each day is different. Each hour and moment. The people and things around us are in constant transition – sometimes subtle, sometimes dramatic. But, even if all that wasn’t true, there’s this – We Are Changing.
Constantly. Often subtly. So subtle, in fact, that we don’t see it. Each day a smidge older, paunchier, a little more gray. Or, just slightly more hopeful and optimistic, in slightly better shape, or the tiniest increment healthier.
One of the keys to tapping into joy on a routine basis and weaving it into the fabric of our lives is to allow that joy is not connected to any certain action, person, or thing; joy rises from an attitude of presence and appreciation for whatever comes our way, whatever shows up and enters our world.
I often use the metaphor of surfing the waves. What do I mean? It’s not about every wave being the same and being perfect. It’s the idea that waves will come (faith), and being willing to put ourselves in position to meet each wave, and then do our best to actively co-create with the wave, energetically and with presence. To try, and to play; willing to fall down, or miss a wave; but to paddle back out and try again.
There’s Joy in all of that. Not just the riding, when the wave is perfect. But, feeling a perfection – a connection with Purpose – by getting out there and participating in the All of It.
And knowing that Joy is just as magically found elsewhere, everywhere, when we participate whole-heartedly.
So, here’s a secret – creating joy isn’t about “creating” joy. It’s about learning behaviors that open us to knowing the joy that already exists in our lives. Learning those behaviors, and practicing them in a routine, strength-building, and habit-building way that makes us more fluent and fluid in thinking, seeing, and enjoying the Joy around us.
Here’s your Prompt for the day:
- What was your vision of something you’d love to be doing right now? Write a paragraph about it.
- Create your own metaphor about adapting and co-creating.
Dear Guides, thank you for helping me express what showed up for me today, and to share a picture of the joy I hope to help people find. Namaste!
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