Surprised by Joy
Joyful Surprises
I love the idea of joyful surprises and May seems to be the perfect month to encourage hope and possibilities.
“The natural world gives us a template for starting over, seemingly from nothing. It’s called spring…”Melanie Challenger in Emergence Magazine. Her article is called Springing Time.
I knew a woman who wished to become the kind of person who would surprise people with “joy.” She explained it like this:
“oftentimes surprises are the kind we don’t want: a cancer diagnosis, an engine failure in the car, a leaky skylight, a ruined relationship… I want to be the person who springs pleasant surprises on others…ones that are joyful; delicious; the kind that make you laugh or bring tears of happiness.”
I have never forgotten this special woman. She was a participant in my first Living Well with Illness program, and, today as she popped into my mind, I thought of her special wish. She has since died, yet, her spirit still shines bright in my life.
So this morning as I drove along the canal taking my grandson to school, I was spontaneously overjoyed with the beauty of tulips in bloom, gorgeous willows gently swaying, and one particular hillside, (more like the corner sloping part of a lawn) was covered in dandelions ( which I admit I like) and narcissus.
The canal was beautiful, the bridges striking in their antiquity and the way the morning light bounced off their railings filled me with joy.
And then it struck me that this week favourite people are having birthdays, Sunday is mothers day, Saturday grandson Rowan turns 16 and Tulip Festival begins on Friday. And good news kept coming from a hospital bed, the university registrar’s office, rowing club, and an insurance office. All part of ordinary living.
Promise to myself
And then there was the simple fact that I kept a promise to myself regarding a project I am working on. It seems to work best when I look at the week and see the best time for each day to book an appointment with myself. It is hard to beat the satisfaction of doing that one thing that you want to do and that you rarely prioritize. Fitting it in when time is left over, often does not happen. I had such a leap of joy this morning.
And since I was on a roll with my appreciation I reminded myself what didn’t happen. My car didn’t break down; the vehicles on the roads I drove today stayed on their own-side of the yellow line; my printer did not get a paper jam and my daughter’s computer that I am temporarily using did not crash. My bank account and my gmail did not get hacked and I did not fall down and break any bones. This makes my face and my heart smile.
We know that life can change on a dime – sometimes in our favour and sometimes not. I surely don’t want to miss the beauty, the kindness of others, and the unfolding of spring while I am here and still breathing.
May you sing while there is voice left and enjoy your life moment by moment. We certainly can’t be grateful for everything – that would be ridiculous- but as Brother Davis Steindl-Rast says, we can always find something in each moment to be grateful for.
Notes
1. “Every one of us is called upon, probably many times, to start a new life. A frightening diagnosis, a marriage, a move, loss of a job or a limb or a loved one, a graduation, bringing a new baby home: it’s impossible to think at first how this all will be possible. Eventually, what moves it all forward is the subterranean ebb and flow of being alive among the living.
In my own worst seasons I’ve come back from the colorless world of despair by forcing myself to look hard, for a long time, at a single glorious thing: a flame of red geranium outside my bedroom window. And then another: my daughter in a yellow dress. And another: the perfect outline of a full, dark sphere behind the crescent moon. Until I learned to be in love with my life again. Like a stroke victim retraining new parts of the brain to grasp lost skills, I have taught myself joy, over and over again.” Barbara Kingsolver
2. When we are in the midst of fear and and uncertainty, it can be helpful to reach out for help from friends and family. Asking for help can take courage. Why? Probably because it shows our vulnerability. Yet, research shows that when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we up our chances to live a wholehearted and meaningful life. Thank you for reading my blog. I always love to hear from you. Trudy
Though all seasons have their beauty, spring is the one that energizes me most. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring is the season of youth, the energy of the morning hours… The Wood element brings incredible energy and boosts motivation. It is the kind of energy you see when a dandelion fights its way up through the asphalt—unstoppable. So let’s enjoy this energy and try to channel the darker sides (anger, rage…) into constructive actions as much as possible:-) Btw: To eat dandylion flowers helps our liver and gallbladder, to clean themselves;-)
Thank you Sabine. I love all the things you know that I don’t. I love learning these little tid bits from you, along with the big bytes you so often bring to our discourse. With appreciation and warm wishes, Trudy
This made my heart smile Trudy. Thank you!
When I think of you, my heart smiles, dear Patti. Thank you.hugs across the miles, Trudy
I love the idea of listing all the bad things that didn’t happen on any given day which allows one to better appreciate the other side of the coin. Sounds like a poem to be written 🙂 thanks Trudy xoxo
A poem, no less, dear Janice. Let’s give it a go.Thank you and the best of all good wishes, Trudy
Your blog is definitely needed and appreciated in my life right now. Our 56 year old son died unexpectedly 2 weeks ago. He left no will and one son to inherit his small estate. As the grandparents we are the only ones capable of dealing with the confusing and daunting list of to do things in this situation. Because he died in his apartment, the landlord changed the locks and has made it very difficult to clear out his belongings. We seem to encounter one obstacle after another. Because of this, we have not even started to properly grieve our dear boy. Our house used to be our sanctuary, but now it is a place of sorrow and frustration as we try to make sense of things. So, outside, walks, and nature have become our salvation. We are so grateful for Spring, and all the flowers blooming, the dogwood trees, the smell of fresh cut grass and the birdsong. These things sustain us in this dark period of our lives. Good friends and warm hugs are also so appreciated right now.
Dear Terri:
Thank you for sharing this heartbreaking news.And even in the midst of such sorrow you add,
“We are so grateful for Spring, and all the flowers blooming, the dogwood trees, the smell of fresh cut grass and the birdsong. These things sustain us in this dark period of our lives. Good friends and warm hugs are also so appreciated right now.”
I have written you a private email. Please accept my sincere condolences, Trudy
Dear Trudy, you’ve made my day:))) thank you so much for reminding us the colorfull world in the midst of grey sadness of some drama, difficulties of the day. I do cherish those moments of finding the glass half full, with love, Jiun
What a delightful surprise, all the way from Poland, dear Jiun. You are a model of noticing all the beauty, and I thank you for mentioning it here. Spring daily demonstrates the desire for life, don’t you think.Take good care and thank you for this joyful surprise. warmly, Trudy