(It is both sad and ironic that the morning I discover the dear Renee of Blogland has crossed her final bridge, my post--written yesterday--is about joy. I almost pulled this, in respect. But Renee's correspondence brought so many love and joy, it is left as a memory for those who knew her well and were touched by her words and mirth........)
While yesterday's post about being worthy of love came somewhat easy, trying to find the words for this one is harder. I know, in my heart, that each and every one of us are worthy of deep joy and meant to feel it intensely.Let me ramble a bit.......as an artist, I find joy in the oddest tidbits and, well, *junque* that most would throw away. I love things that can have a second life, a different use, to be transformed. And I feel joy doing just that.
But being *worthy* of joy...oh, yes. There is the stickler.
Society says; "Buy this 20 bazillion dollar car---you'll feel joy." Or perhaps; "These ridiculously priced Italian leather shoes, with too many zeros to count on the tag
(no wait..stuff like that never has tags!) will make you most joyful!"
When I was born, my father plunked down what had to have been a good chunk of his military salary for a gift of "Joy" perfume, to my mother. I still have the bottle. It was so expensive, she seldom, if ever, used it. And while the *giving and thought* behind the gift stayed with her all her life, and seeing it revived the memory, it was the ACT that brought the JOY.
Therefore, what I surmise is that true acts of kindness, with no expectation in return, with no strings attached, to those that we both know and do NOT know, are one of the things that instills pure joy into our hearts. It is experieces and actions as opposed to purchases and flaunting.
An example from my own life--about pure joy. My mother had breast and bone cancer that took her life. Every time I get that letter from the Radiology Dept--usually after three infuriating tries--saying that *the girls* are okay (knotty, uncooperative and dense, but okay) there is a moment of elation that I can't express.
You can't buy that.
When I see someone progress and learn an art or sewing technique that they were sure they never could, that brings pure joy.
It is the very undefinable and unpredictable experiences we encounter daily that will, in the end, seep deep into our psyche and let us know we are worthy of that immense joy! Open your awareness of what is really going on around you, even under some of the harshest conditions and you will find there is a gift of joy to be accepted by you, or an opportunity to receive one by doing for someone else.
Sure, this goes totally against our market driven economy.
But I have to ask you, is that so bad????
Are you not worth more than numbers and acquisitions?
Aren't you worth cutting loose and throwing your arms in the air and saying "YES!" even if it is for no reason, other than to acknowledge yourself and the joy of the moment?
You are worth every single joyful ordinary thing. You are worth the time to look for them, or perform them. You are worth the effort of stockpiling true joy, for the hard days and the dark days.
Because it can never be taken from you, unless you choose to give someone else permission to do so, and then usually it is to strip you bare emotionally, and leave them gloating.
Put on your armor of joy....because you are very worthy of it, every single day you live.
Oh, and the woman by the side of the road, or in the parking lot bent over and snagging smashed, rusted bottle caps and odd pieces of wood or stone? That will be me; engrossed in my joy meditation.
Please do not run me over.
And if it looks like I am stuck with my nether regions in the air and head down, a helping hand to an upright position would be greatly appreciated..... ;-)
I bid you, as always......
Pax.
