Joy

I’ve had it, but didn’t know it at the time.

I don’t have it now, but would I know if I did?

How do I get it back?

Quiet my mind, silence my doubts, open my heart?

How I define Joy vs Happiness — Happiness is a sustained feeling of contentment. Joy is a fleeting moment of elation. It may be said that the more joy one has, the more happiness that will follow.

My experience with joy is elusive. My inability to capture it in the moment escapes me. It is only upon reflection that I recognize I had it.

Having joy, experiencing it is the goal.

How do I achieve that?

Be a kid again?

“Adults are just obsolete children and the hell with them.” — Dr. Seuss

Dare to fail, dare to be exposed, dare to be made a fool of, dare to be embarrassed. Dare to be hurt?

Funny thing, as kids I’m thinking they don’t even need to know they are in a joyous state. They just do it. They just experience it; without seeking it out.

How do I return to those roots?

There are books written on what we need to do. There are platitudes spoken of how to do it. The answer isn’t in a book, an article, a popular cliche or mantra. What holds us back? What holds me back?

I think it is my fear of being vulnerable. It’s safer to be detached and invulnerable than invested, exposed, and vulnerable.

My most recent joyous moments came in the presence of my dog. She didn’t judge me. I could confide in her, expose my true being without risk. During our walks, all that mattered was the walk, for her.

I think I need to give myself a break from myself. When I was a kid I didn’t think everything through. That came later.

I should let later be later again.

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” -Matthew 18:3

…with inspirational credit to Leo Sharp’s Medium post on boosting confidence.

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Previously Published on medium

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