Joy
So, I feel like my 26 years on earth have taught me a couple things… I could probably list several things and soapbox my opinions, but for the sake of brevity, I’ll just mention one today: Joy
At Merriam-Webster Online you get the following definition:
1 a : the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires b : the expression or exhibition of such emotion
2 : a state of happiness or felicity
It’s interesting to see what types of things can bring us joy in life, but the one I continually think of is when we, as human beings, are a part of something unexpectedly positive (see: “good fortune” in 1a above). Those moments are the ones that stick with us and consistently bring a smile to our face.
Here’s an example, The Coca-Cola Happiness Machine:
I recently had a similar experience (and I apologize if this looks like I’m focusing way too much on getting “free” things, because that is not the point):
On December 30, 2009, I was talking to a romantic interest of mine… *embarrassed* She called and told me that her family wanted to fly me to where they were for New Year’s so I could meet them and spend some time with her before she went back to school. Within about 30 minutes we went from being excited at the idea, saddened that I felt I couldn’t afford the airfare, and then ecstatic when her parents offered to help with my travel expenses as a gift to their daughter! About 24 hours later I was on a flight to Milwaukee, WI. Excited? Ummm, YEAH! Was I joyous? OF COURSE!
This will likely be a story I remember forever (whether Nicole and I end up going the distance or not), NOT because someone else spent money on me, but because someone made a gesture to give of something they have in order to lighten my load and share of their good fortune. Not only did I get to spend a full weekend with someone who means so much to me, but I was overcome by the generosity of her family.
Think back on memories where someone else served you in a capacity beyond the expected.. When I was struggling with personal issues one night back in college, a quick call to my friends Jason and Erin ended up with me staying at their house until late into the evening just to talk. Jason had both school and work the next day, and Erin had classes of their own – but their sacrifice to be there for me when I struggled still gives me great joy to this day.
When I served an LDS mission, I remember the joy of seeing someone make life changes in order to become closer to God and Jesus Christ – and it was an even greater ecstasy when the most unexpected of people decided to make life changing commitments! That I could be a part of those experiences is incredibly rewarding to me, and those memories fill me with joy to this day.
One last example, and I’ll call it quits… Those who know me well know that I consider myself to have at least three families. My parents and sisters mean the world to me, and I certainly don’t mean to marginalize them by suggesting that there are other important people in my life, so I hope they don’t feel that way… But I’ve already mention Jason and Erin (with my little niece Aliya) who have been my family in Texas, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Travis and his family…
As I was heading into High School, Travis and I quickly became inseperable once we learned he would be moving into the same high school boundaries. Everything we did, for the most part, we did together – it was just more fun that way. His parents became Mom & Dad #2, and his brother and sisters quickly became family as well. It’s been 12+ years, and this is still the case. Where did I spend Thanksgiving this last year? With Travis, his wife Annie, Mom & Dad #2, and sister Becky with her husband and kids. You’d think I would feel the odd duck, but it was quite the contrary! It’s not quite the same as when I’m with my own parents and sisters, but that difference is almost indistinquishable (especially if you were to see how Becky and I chide each other)…
Families like Jason and Erin’s or Travis’s that have pulled me in and provided me with love and acceptance have given me more joy than I can express. Well, I could try expressing it, but it’d likely annoy y’all to death. As we move forward in our lives, there are so many ways in which we can bring a smile to another’s face or listen to those who need a listening ear. The Lord has put it into our hands to act in His name, so let’s go forth and bring joy to whomever we can.
That’s my goal for 2010 – share joy.
