What brings you joy?

Oh what a tragedy, to make joy so temporary in our life.

Does that mean joy is not permanent?Is it something that we can only have temporarily? Is it possible to make it something we can hold and keep with us for as long as possible, perhaps forever?

I wouldn’t say I have mastered the art of permanent joy, but I can say, that it is also no longer a fleeting moment either. I would say, compared to some years ago, joy has been in my life a whole lot more than it was in the past. Perhaps before, it was like a temporary visiting guest, it just wasn’t around long enough to have a huge impact. Now, however, even in the midst of difficult challenging situations, joy seems to have found an abode within me that has gotten quite cozy and comfortable literally inside me. Somehow, I am a lot more conscious and mindful that joy is not outside of me, but rather, it exists within me.

Joy is not found outside of us, like in a store, or in a person, or any such external place.It doesn’t need to be purchased, we do not need to wait for someone to give it to us, rather; joy resides within us. It has always been within us, it just needs to be acknowledged so that once we become aware of its existence, we just need to light the spark and allow it to shine in us.

I have started to get into a habit of looking for joy the simplest experiences and moments. Find joy knowing and experience your breath, allow it to remind you that you are alive, that you are well. Find joy in your present moment, in all that surrounds you. Do not take for granted these moments, because they may very well not be here to experience the next time you blink. When you start living in the present moment, when you start living and appreciating your now moment, when you start being mindful about all that is, you begin to feel joy. You realize, joy is not a Chanel, Gucci or Prada handbag, nor is it Louboutin stiletto heels, or a red Ferrari … at least, that’s not my joy.

Joy is in a bright new sunny day, joy is the sound of the birds in the morning, joy is the butterfly that lands on a flower on a beautiful spring day. Joy is the laughter of your children, the time you spend with your playful puppy, joy is the smell of the rain outside your window, joy is the food on your plate, joy is the time you spend with your family, joy is being right here, right now … at least that’s my joy, a simple word, with a huge impact. #stayjoyful #whatsyourjoy