I have a hard time watching the news and following trending news feeds. Racism on college campuses, terrorist acts in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, child refugees. It seems like good news items are few and far between.
Heartbreaking events occur everyday, that’s a fact. It’s hard to find things to be joyful about in our world sometimes. I often wonder how I will even begin to explain these kinds of events when my children get older. If and when they ask, how do I explain the kinds of atrocities in our world today? What do you say when your children ask about why bad people do bad things?
It’s not a matter of protecting or sheltering my children from unpleasant events. It’s about empathy and understanding. It’s about teaching them kindness and forgiveness. It’s about learning how to find and appreciate the joy in your life.
So when I came upon joy in a surprising place, I took it as a sign that it’s time to choose just that.
I found joy in the ice cream aisle. And I’m taking it home.
As if a sign from a higher power, in a moment when I needed it the most, I found joy. And I’m taking it home. Yes, in the middle of a trip to Stop and Shop, far, far away from the City of Light, I was reminded to look for the joy in life. Joy is in the ice cream aisle. It’s the look on my baby’s face when he enjoys a treat for the first time. Joy is in my children’s sweet smile and peaceful sleeping faces. It’s the giggles of my kids playing with their dog. Joy is the support of my family and friends. Joy is in my boys’ adventurous spirits. Joy is an extra 15 minutes of playtime before bedtime. Joy is strawberry waffles on a Monday, just because. Joy is those everyday moments of magic.
Joy is in the heart of my home and I choose joy. That’s right, joy is a choice. I choose to raise my family in this world of tragedy and sorrow searching for something joyful, in our ordinary little lives, every day.
Where do you find joy?
