Have you felt what it’s like to be bursting with joie de vivre, unable to contain your enthusiasm or the intoxicating tsunami of happiness that explodes from your being? It’s likely most of us can remember a time or two, but perhaps it was fleeting. If you’re lucky, you live with joy in your heart, at least most of the time. But if you are a stranger to it, dig deep and find something to be joyful about.
“Joy is the highest expression of love – Esther Hicks”
I started out with more joie de vivre than was likely good for me, and it landed me in some hot spots over the years. My brother, just 13 months older, was also a happy child but reflected it in a completely different way. He sat as a smiling Buddha, content because all his needs were met. In fact as the family legend goes it’s why he didn’t walk until he was 16 months old. How is it possible to be that satisfied, I ask you?
My sister, who came along almost 4 years after me, was born with definite ideas of what she liked and didn’t, for instance eating. She could store a pea or two in her cheek convincingly enough for Mom to think she actually ate something. Her superpower is the inner brightness she radiates and shares selflessly with her family and friends. She has drive and determination and continues to express herself uniquely in the world.
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This is perhaps your best post so far, Shea. Not sure why I think that, but it may have to do with the consistent first-person perspective – and the identifiable characters ?. Anyway, I loved it.
While I was reading and considering your words an unexpected thing happened: Our robot vacuum cleaner scuttled into the room and made a beeline towards my feet. While this does not rise to the ‘precipice vs. threshold’ nexus you talk about, it was nonetheless a clear decision point. Do I let it bonk into my stockinged feet (and hope it will go away); or do I anticipate its approach vector and roll out of the way, so it can suck up any crumbs left from my lunch?
Life, I suspect, may be a bit like this robot encounter. We can either raise our shields and undertake to ‘repel all boarders’, or we can move out of the way, happy with the notion that this very 21st Century disruption could actually make our lives easier (and our floors cleaner) if we just change the way we view unexpected events. I don’t mean like the Gary Oldman ‘broken glass’ scene from Fifth Element, but something much more constructive. I’m sure you understand. Sometimes we simply need to get out of our own way.
Please keep up this work. You are very much appreciated.
Your readership, thoughtful response and circumspection are also much appreciated. Humour as well! I do think this robot is a good metaphor for taking the path of least resistance, by all accounts the way to be.
Exuberant joy is the calling card of love, especially new love at any age. Infant to mother, courting couples, the discovery of an art form that you are internally forced to pursue passionately because it makes your spirit overflow with endorphins. I see this in your blog writing. I enjoy every post more than the last. This one has a natural effortless flow.
So glad you enjoyed it Donna. Living in the flow, for sure, and enjoying myself.
Joy. Such a simple word but has undeniable impact when practiced. I loved this post. Thank you for sharing your gift.
Blessings my lovely one.
Now some people also need to recognize that a little effort may be required to reach this ultimate realization. Sometimes you just have to empty the trash bin!
You are so right Karen! And sometimes the bin gets a little stinky before we notice. xo