Choose Joy



Listen. I' m no expert in this whole life thing - I don't get paid off of a "here is the key to life" book - I will never be good at giving advice - and I most certainly fail at a lot of things often.

 

What I do know is how to find the little things that bring joy to my heart in the worst of times. Anna used to tell me about the list that made a hard day better. Smile mediation, whipping your hair back and forth, cookies, they all made the list. I've since added things to the list. In the last two years the weather has been a huge resident on the list.

 

Rain. Sunshine. Wind. 

 

Along with movies that demand tears. Small victories like getting everything on the to do list finished on time, or when one of my kids becomes a leader on his street in the midst of turmoil. A facetime with best friends. A text message that made an impact. You get the idea.

 

Now let me be honest. Some days just suck. Some days are grey, melancholy, lonely, exhausting, and I have easily wanted them to be done before they even start - yet I refuse to live this way if I can help it. Negative vibes make me sick. Instead of focusing on the parts that make the day harder, crazier, quieter, messy, etc. I dare myself to find all the piece of glitter people miss. Like that blue triangle on the corner of our parking lot. Or claiming the hot mess and laughing about it with the people in my food line... cause they look like their day was crap too.

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I was in bed this afternoon - curtains drawn - quiet blues playing in the background - hard decisions and the fact I needed to study for midterms was hovering in the room - when all of a sudden my roommate and friend walk into the room ready to throw me a dose of my own theology.

 

WE PLAYED IN THE RAIN.

 

There is no better therapy session than one creation has to offer. We embraced the weather and said - today was a pretty terrible day - but it doesn't have to stay terrible! Jumping in puddles. Running through the parking lot. Laying down on the ground letting the downpour to consume me. Breathing in the air not many get to experience with their umbrellas, rushing bodies, and bad attitudes. I even did a freaking cartwheel. The weird looks from people running from class to the dorms were priceless. They wished they were having fun like us.

 

I don't stay sad very well - and I can tell you it's because this life has more joy to offer than we think. We as a people tend to choose over and over to ignore, and refuse that little things make a difference. I beg to differ.

 

Scream good morning to the people in your 7:35. Hug everyone you can. Praise God for all the good and yes, even the hard stuff, because He is there with you too. Leave your roommate a note about something only you two would understand - we can do better than basic. Call mom. Look up from your phone (unless you're near a puddle then you should be careful...) Clean your friends house because you know their busy and don't have time. You won't regret it - I never do.



 

I am not always going to be perfect at this - and it's not always acceptable to kick off your shoes and run around in the pouring rain - although I wish it was - but it is acceptable to...

 

 

Choose Joy. Always.