Switzerland.

Lake Brienz.

Still wishing I could be there right now.

Today, walking along a leaf covered path. We had to wait to pass a Father out walking with his young Son. The Toddler was kicking leafs about with his Thomas The Tank Engine Welly Boots. At the same time he was using a stick to try and sweep the path clean. Humming a tune to himself. That’s pure joy, pure happiness.

As we eventually made our way past the happy little road sweeper, my mind wandered to holidays in Switzerland. Toddler Hawklad, taking his bag of bread from the Hotel Kitchen to feed his new friend, Mr Swan. Every morning, same ritual. You could see the pure joy and happiness on our Son’s face.

As adults do we way too quickly stop searching for those moments that produce pure joy and happiness. Yes we have to work, we have responsibilities, anxieties, pain, fears and stress but in our free time, when we get the chance, how often do we find the time to be truly happy. Just how often do we settle for way less, just the mundane, maybe overcomplicating life, doing things that aren’t lifting us up, forgetting where we will find that pure joy.

I so hope you can find that joy and happiness, find what makes your world come alive.

38 thoughts on “Joy”

  8. That second last paragraph is a callout to me. I sure am guilty of it. It ties in with a line from an old prayer which has been reverberating in my mind since yesterday:
    I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
    I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

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  11. I read this about 2 hours after I ran outside to spin in the rain. I’d be puddle stomping if there was enough for puddles.

    One of my fave memories is of bei g at a grocery store with a roughly 4yr old girl. She started dancing, so I did too… we did lots of twirling throughout the store. It was very fun!!

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      1. I stomp even shallow puddles. If it’s at home, I like to wait till a car can see me!

        During a hot covid night, I ran through the school sprinklers (across the street) in my nightgown at midnight. Maturity is boring!!

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  13. Children so get it at a young age and so many lose that time to find the daily sparks of joy. You’re right, Gary. Thanks for this sweet beautiful reminder!

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      1. Well, it’s World Kindness Day next Wednesday the 13th November. Maybe you could plan something lovely. What about using chalk to put kind messages for the other people in the village? Yes, yes you will look like a numpty, but do you care about that?

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      2. I was talking to a retired chap in the village he was cutting his next doors hedge. When I said your very good doing that. He swore and said he was supposed to be cutting his own hedge. I guess that was his kind moment of the day 😂

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      3. I love those grumpy DOES IT people. Who cannot appreciate things done, compared to those that SAY an intention and then don’t carry it out. My favourites are those that say NO and then do it quietly. They are the gold stars.

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