I see the pain, torment, sorrows, and anger of our world. They cry out with one voice for relief. Our overworked western culture, pride in materialism, ignorance of the Sacred, over reliance on technology, and hatred for one another have had no small part in this suffering. The constant noise of insanity has, of late, caused me psychological distress.
I don't know when it will be snatched away from me and I want to make sure I wring out every last bit of happiness out of every day. I most often find joy when I am not looking for it. It comes with a beautiful sunset, the sound of waves, seeing others have fun. I know it's 2nd hand bags cliche but it's really just being present and looking around.
But truthfully, what draws me to this work is the raw emotional connection. I am privileged to witness the spectrum of human experience without the bullshit. Eye-watering joy just bubbles up, when I can truly validate someone's concern, or come up with a meaningful solution, using the honest connection we've built. Or when a longterm customer is finally getting married, or graduating from uni, or going on their first overseas holiday following intensive treatment.
Come for a quick browse, leave rearranging your entire living room in your head. To help you on your second-hand scavenger hunt, we have discovered the best spots to nab a pre-loved find where you can expect classic style, good design and a fair price. The delivery was on time and very smooth. They are still wrapped up because there is some work going on at the terrace they are intended for but we will hopefully be unveilling them next week. Hi Mel, Thanks for your email, and thank you for bringing the chairs over the other week.
Looking at the world anew through the eyes of my young niece and nephew. Joy is everywhere, without and within, once you learn to look. Unfortunately my joy is still alcohol but I’m working very hard with my amazing addiction and trauma counsellor, who is a huge fan of yours. I find you inspiring and am just discovering my god, starting by praying on my knees each morning.
Now I will say I am more content. It is what it is, and I know what is important. Of course I can still forget sometimes and get caught up in small feelings, but it doesn’t take much more than a hug or a kiss or a smile from my girl, before my mind is back on track and I know, I am exactly where I want to be. And that gives me a deep sense of joy. I find joy in tiny little ways as it is not a natural place for me.
Our lives mean something important - I don’t know what - but they do, I’m certain of it. Truth can be sad or funny or embarrassing, or a million other things. None of it matters… cry, laugh or be embarrassed… that’s how people grow to love each other. Because I’d rather that, than never really knowing my dad.I suppose there’s been a certain amount of joy in writing this, because I’ve never really spoken about it before. I hope it might help others, too. I have been listening to your bands' new record, Wild God a couple times and it has struck me with an amorphous sorrow.
I have been given a second chance to live - and I made a promise to myself not to waste a second of it. Most of us fans probably struggle with day to day life , making ends meet etc. Joy can be found in many ways , but I think Joy actually finds you, sometimes in the most unexpected ways, that for me is the most joyful thing about life.
Even when we are distant, all of us, no one can rule out the possibility that we might one day meet, and share a beautiful moment. And even if that does not happen, no one can rule out the possibility that we might end up being meaningful in someone’s life through some indirect channel. In fact, I’ve come to believe that this latter possibility is very, very close to certainty. That there so many routes for this meaningfulness to take only adds to the wonder and/or enchantment of it. Just read my book, The Art of Joy.
There’s creation in learning how to grieve and not just in an artistic sense as in writing a song, but also in how we celebrate that subject of loss and grief or how we integrate that person, thing or idea into the very core of our being. Creating an entirely different being within it. I suppose I’m trying to find joy within the act of life itself…a work in progress. I often feel like we lie to ourselves about little things to get through the day - what we like, how we present ourselves, our beliefs.. - little delusions to help with a meaningful and happy existence. Since as people it is so important to us to see and be seen for whom and how we are - Joy, then, for me is held in human connection.
The smell of fresh coffee in the morning. The first sip of fresh coffee on my tongue. Reading an interesting book by a new author. Reading an interesting book by a favourite author.
May seem pragmatic, but I have found that one can only replicate moments of joy momentarily, and perhaps find a fleeting sense of solace in those moments. Yet if we let go of the seeking, and just embrace the randomness of life, there will be moments of true joy, and those will be the moments you will remember. I was widowed after an intimate relationship of 45 years.
I find joy in the loam, the garden beds, the forest, the mycelium fruit. Part of that joy is trying to understand the views of the generation of my children - be it fake money or NPC's. The simplest joy is plotting paths for me and my spawn to navigate this burning planet with compassion and grace. I can breathe, walk, run, ride my bike, swim, smile, love, dream, and cry.
It may take some time, but it always returns. I feel joyous when I think of the worst day of my life and thank the stars for the experience, perspective and distance of time. Maybe you find this answer funny or even naive, but we, me and my friends, find joy in listening to your songs.