Today - Joy

So really? JOY?

I admit it.  In these times in our nation I am extremely crabby, unhappy, angry and sad about it, it’s effects on too many people, and I feel helpless about it all.  A friend recently told me she is dealing with real depression for those and other reasons.  And for myself, selfish as it may seem, I am also crabby adjusting to some of the realities of aging.  So all together, it may seem weird for me to think of this as a time for joy.

But because of all that, I pulled out my copy of The Book of Joy, about conversations between the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu and decided to re-read it, hoping for some renewed help.  And though there is nothing magic about it, reading about these two men who experienced devastating discrimination and pain in their lives and how they find joy does help somehow. 

Here’s one summary of what they say: “What does our happiness have to do with addressing the suffering of the world? …in a surprising way, what the Archbishop and the Dalai Lama were saying is that the way we heal our own pain is actually by turning to the pain of others….The goal is not just to create joy for ourselves but, as the Archbishop poetically phrased it, ‘to be a reservoir of joy, an oasis of peace, a pool of serenity that can ripple out to all those around you.’  ..Joy is quite contagious…”

I totally know that Peace folk are already kind and thoughtful and extremely aware of the ‘pain of others’ and may not need to be reminded of all of this.  But everyone has down times, hard times, sad times, crabby times. Everyone can feel helpless in the midst of this nation, grief, health challenges, etc..  So for me, to know how these two amazing men have found joy in their hard lives by ‘turning to the pain of others’ has been a good reminder.  For me, that includes sometimes taking my dog to bring smiles to some in the nursing care area of where I live, a place I never want to have to be. Their delight at seeing him gives me joy. But we can give just a smile, just a word  or more.  So friends, as you live your care for others, let JOY shine in you, comfort you and encourage you.  (And consider checking out the book…)

Holy One, help us to spread joy, even in challenging times.

Jane is a retired UCC minister, former Conference Minister and a joyful member of Peace UCC and Southwood UCC. She lives in Foxwood Springs, a great retirement community in Raymore.