Joy to the World
You have probably noticed that there isn’t much laughing going on these days…much less giggling and silliness. Normally this time of year we see Grinch movies or other animated movies hitting the screens with a little Seasonal silliness in their wake…or maybe we see people at holiday parties raising their glasses of eggnog and playing secret Santa. When I lived in New York City – Christmas was a fairyland- from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade to ice skating at Rockefeller center to the amazing window displays on fifth avenue. These things do not grace our holiday season this year. We could say that things stopped being funny some time ago. I love humor myself – and I remember my parents laughing while watching Laugh In and staying up late to watch Johnny Carson play Carnac the Magnificent…and laughing til tears showed up.
But humor isn’t the only way to joy – in fact, joy can stand alone without provocation. We can find joy within ourselves moment to moment…and extend the joy out to the things we are doing as opposed to waiting for the joy to show up From the things we are doing. Let’s give it a try – think of something you have to do today – perhaps its finishing ordering on line gifts, or doing some decorating around your house or property..perhaps its babysitting for your grandchild or having to do 3 zoom meetings in rapid succession. As you think of one of your tasks – send joy out ahead of you – put a small smile on your face as you do – feel the lift in your spirit as you focus and extend – knowing the power to feel joy is already within and available to share – even with social distancing. Joy isn’t dependent on doing things as we have always done them in December – as we let go of having it a certain way – and replace with the joy this season reminds us of – reminds us of who we are before all those changes…before the next series of changes. Pure, unbridled joy of the spirit.
And of course, whenever possible – find the humor lurking in everything…share a laugh on facetime or email or text…make a sign for your car as you are driving to hold up to the window that says “remember to laugh”. I thought I might have forgotten this as well – so I took a laughing yoga class on line…oh my it was just as hysterical as in person..perhaps more so! Then I remembered – this laughter is coming from me …not to me.
In that spirit, watch this clip to get you started…and share your joy with and to the world.
