Joy
Joy! There’ll be joy! There’ll be joy, joy, joy, joy, joy!
Back in high school we sang this song about joy and it still goes through my head today. I do not know who arranged the piece, but if you want to hear it, YouTube has a video of the “West Point Brass” and The Tabernacle Choir performing “Joy in the Morning”, and you can have it go through your head too! It’s actually quite uplifting - joy, peace, contentment, love and forgiveness - this song mentions all the good feels.
And, you’re asking, “what’s the point?” The point is that joy is available to us now. We don’t need to wait until the morning, or any particular day. It’s all around us if we look for it. Children are particularly good at finding the joy in daily life. The oddest things make them giggle. What can you find around you that gives you joy? I guarantee there’s a reason why people like to watch cat videos - and likely it’s watching them fall or get scared of their shadows that makes us lol. But without depending on a screen, where can we find joy?
Today I arranged to meet with some friends at 3:33. They were caught up in traffic and road construction, and at 3:33 a bird flew over their vehicle and dropped 3 little poops on their windshield. That’s funny sh**!
While sitting down to write this blog, one bunny…and then another hopped into my backyard and right into my raised bed. They looked at me, sitting here in the window, about 10 yards away, and then started tasting what was in there -otherwise known as kale, zucchini, lavender, and purple coneflower - NOT veggies or herbs that bunnies usually like. It was the taunting me that amused me. Chipmunks and squirrels do the same thing as they raid my bird feeder. I know it frustrates many gardeners and bird enthusiasts, but I’ve chosen to not care. How often must these shenanigans take place when I’m not around to witness? There’s room for all of us on this earth and making eye-contact with animals brings me joy.
I haven’t counted the number of oracle card and tarot decks I own lately, but I’m going to guess around a dozen (insert sly grin as it’s probably closer to two dozen?). It seems to me that every single deck has a card in there that’s representative of bringing joy into life. The messages generally are gentle reminders that I (when I’m reading for myself) am taking life too seriously and it’s time to get outside and start noticing things that make my problems seem a little less dire. When it’s freezing outside and the air hurts my face, a salt bath and a good book can help me to shift my perspective. I have a friend who finds painting particularly therapeutic. Another friend likes to pound on her piano, and another finds joy in yoga sessions. What is your thing? Is it cooking or baking? Going for a walk? Taking a nap? Meeting a friend for coffee? We are on this earth because there are things here that our souls can’t experience anywhere else. I don’t imagine that souls that have crossed over spend much time looking for shapes in the clouds or feeling sand beneath their feet? We NEED to do the things that bring us joy while we are here.
Maybe you are in a situation where you are thinking, “Margaret, this is all fine and dandy, but my life is too busy right now. I am taking care of my children, or parents, or spouse, from the moment I get up in the morning until the moment my head hits the pillow, and sometimes in between! I don’t have time to go to the beach or look at the clouds!” To that I say, “yes, you do.” You may not have an hour for an exercise class, or a day to spend at the beach, but I guarantee, there are ways you can bring joy into your life. Listen to a happy song (I like Three Little Birds by Bob Marley). Take an extra moment in the bathroom or in the car; close your eyes and take some deep breaths and IMAGINE yourself at your favorite place you’ve ever been. Before you go to sleep, make a mental list of 5 things you’re grateful for - your pillow can absolutely be one of them.
When we cease to find the joy and wonder in life, it becomes drudgery. Life is a gift and we have the power to find the gifts in each day.
Peace, love, and JOY to you,
Margaret Rose
651.442.3732
peacefulsoulutions@gmail.com
FB: Peaceful Soulutions
IG: peaceful_soulutions_mrjw
And a reminder: my Summer Solstice Sale is going on through July 1st. I have gift certificates available for those who want to take advantage of a reiki session for $99 or card reading for $44 at a later date. My Communicating with Angels Class is coming up on 8/11/24 and you can register for that here on my website through AllEvents. And, if you have or know of a child/children who would benefit from my Reiki Basics for Kids Class, I will be teaching that in August before school starts. Text me for details.
