Joy to the World
“Let a joy keep you. Reach out your hands and take it when it runs by.” Carl Sandburg, American Historian, Poet and Novelist
The sounds of the three boys’ skateboards were part of the landscape in the small town in Texas. They spent every moment they were not in school, church or with their families skimming the community streets, hopping up curbs, practicing wheeled gymnastics. But long after two of them rolled on home, the third — let’s call him Tommy, went on. He practiced jumps, slides, all the tricks skateboarders work to master. Alone, the shy boy’s eyes had the fervor of a Tony Hawk, international skateboard hero.
Once having seen Hawk demonstrating his skill on a national television talk show, rolling, leaping, flipping over from an almost mountainous challenge, I was a die hard fan. So was Tommy. He knew all about Hawk; he dreamed of Hawk. Otherwise rather reticent, he was pleased with himself when he made a move work for him. Anyone who knew that he was a child whose father was an invisible parent; whose mother was in prison for drug-related offenses, but that he was a foster child in a family that loved him dearly; could not have been less than happy for him. A skateboard is not a substitute for a mother and father but it is a way to grow dreams, to have joy in ones life. The sound of his skateboard rolling through the small community meant happiness for a struggling teen.
A neighbor’s joy comes from her new beau. At age 69, Amy had not expected or sought one. But the Princes of Serendipity came to work for her. She offered to take a working friend’s misbehaving car to the dealership where she had just bought her new car. As usual, she met the salesman, Dirk, age 72, who was present when she bought her car. This time, he took her aside and asked for her telephone number. He called and took her for a ride on his spiffy motorcycle. But first, he presented her with a beautiful rose-decorated white riding helmet with the words “Lady Rider” painted on it. The two have been inseparable since that day. The helmet and the man brings my friend great joy.
My greatest joy comes from reading, writing, my pet, my family and my friends, not necessarily in that order. What brings you joy?
Meditation for the Day
“We should all do what in the long run gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.” E.B. White
Action for the Day
Today and for at least two weeks to follow, I will practice bringing small joys into my life and take the time to truly enjoy them. Time creates habits and no habit can be more wondrous than celebrating our life on earth with small joys.
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