jump for joy

"Tomorrow a stranger will say with masterly good sense precisely what we have thought and felt all the time." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Soooo what makes you jump for joy? I have asked myself that. Here are some examples for me that come to my mind: walking on the ocean’s sandy beach and having a sense of awe and wonder, sitting still and quietly in my chair early in the morning and being thankful, having a meaningful conversation with special people, doing something good or seeing something good done by others,....

AI says—"Joy is more than a fleeting feeling—it's a deep, abiding sense of delight and contentment that can spring from the simplest moments. True joy lives within us, arising from our experiences, our relationships, and our sense of purpose.” Do you believe in AI?

A typical, historical ocean front house on the beach has a unique look and feel. The look and feel is like “ The Old Man and the Sea” could live in them. The salted ocean breeze damages the exterior and gives it a weathered look. Usually, they are painted in certain colors which makes them feel more beachy. The aroma inside and out is just that of an ocean beach house (i.e. I can’t explain that aroma). Our ocean house we stayed in was just that. We had maybe a quarter of a mile walk out the back door through the evergreens, then through the beach grass and then over a sand dune to the ocean. It was really neat which we did several times. The whole experience gave us joy! We really can’t explain it in words. It had a certain aroma!

OneSmartPersonFromAcrossTheBay says--Having joy means you don’t act differently whether you’re at church, work, home, or the grocery store. It means you don’t segment your life. Is this true of us: What you see is what you get! Joy can’t be measured analytically but we can see it in folks who jump for joy. No question! On our way home from our trip we stopped for gas at Astoria, OR which is on the Colombia River. I was buying a diet Mt. Dew and the guy ahead of me was buying a tall Budwiser and a chili dog (i.e. it was 10 in the morning). He had knee high boots on and water-resistant pants. I asked him if that was his lunch or breakfast—I just got off work soooo it could be either he said in broken English—sooo where do you work—at the fish processing plant down the street on the river—what do you process—mainly salmon and shrimp but other kinds as well—that is why you smell fishy—that is the reason alright--you like your job—yes, I do; it’s hard work but it’s a good job—do they pay you well—yes they do; I’m very happy—I wish you the best guy—the same to you sir!

Do these folks in the picture look joyful or unjoyful to you? I think for sure there is a difference, my opinion. What do you think? Do we know joyful folks and unjoyful folks? Are we joyful or unjoyful. John Calvin said, “Those who are extremely anxious wear themselves out and become... their own executioners.”

Sweet Caroline--Good times never seemed so good. So good! So good!  SusieQ says—"We live in the present! We don’t live in the past and we don’t live in the future but we live in the present!  We live in our now world.” Joyous folks don’t seem to me to talk very much about what they did in the past but what they are doing now to make others have a better life. Really what we did 20 years ago is of little importance to most folks; they want to hear what you are doing in the present to make someone’s life better.  Those present looking folks bring joy as they are always looking  “to do the next right thing.” Of course, this is my opinion). And remember folks, I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN.

On our trip, some of Jeanne’s relatives took us out for dinner. It was my first time meeting them. We had a good time together. She told us this story about herself that shows us that we always don’t see things as they are (i.e. we misunderstand things at times). I was going into a building, and a guy had his arms out as I approached him. I thought he must know me, but I don’t recognize him sooo I went up to him and hugged him. He whispered in my ear, mam, I’m security and I’m asking you to put out your arms so I can frisk you for weapons!

I can’t laugh at her as I do the same! One morning I was going to put our luggage in the back of our vehicle and there was dog poop on the ground. I went and got some cardboard to pick it up and get rid of it before someone stepped on it. As I started to pick it up, the dog poop moved. It was a WA slug!

I hiked the trail to the bottom of the Cowiche Canyon the other day. Jeanne didn’t go with me as she is petrified by rattle snakes and really dislikes hot weather. It’s a moderate 2.2 mile hike out and back. I noticed by the traffic pattern that most folks walk on the hard packed part of the trail where there are few rocks, bumps, or unevenness. We are just like a cattle heard coming from Texas, we just follow the lead cow as it is easier walking. It really makes hiking a lot easier. Soooo isn’t that how we want our life to go? We like everything smooth, downhill and with the wind at our back! Well, folks, we all know it ain’t going to happen. Sooooo how can we obtain joy when the trail is tough?

Here is a concept to ponder that might make us jump for joy--It’s one thing to say we value something but it’s another thing to actually live it. That is putting values in action: not just saying values matter but actually living them. Pretty thought provoking for me! Of course we have to decided what good values are!!!! Like I wrote, we see things differently! Oh ya!!

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--A full cup must be carried steadily.