Accepting the Joy

I am not a true Pollyanna, but she certainly has made a home in some small part of my being.  I prefer to think there are more really good people than evil ones, that most prefer to help others than hinder them, that people want others to do well in their lives.

When things are right in your world, there are moments of true, unadulterated joy.  There is nothing like that feeling.  But it helps if you prepare the place and moment for joy, that you are ready to welcome it in with all your heart.  This can happen when you are aware of those around you that seem to welcome an opportunity to serve you, even in a small everyday way, because joy doesn't depend on some show-stopping event bringing attention to you and your needs.

Lately I've had a hitch in my get-along, otherwise known as bursitis in one hip.  It does hinder my ability to move with grace and elegance (if that ever was a true part of my carriage).  Today I was in the local dollar store, looking for tape to finish wrapping stuff.  I looked in the area with Christmas paper and such.  No luck.

I turned to another woman.  "I have been known to have selective blindness," I said, "where I can't see something right in front of my eyes.  Do you see any tape?"  She didn't, but suggested there might be some in the school supply area.  I headed that way and she went with me, getting there first, and telling me it wasn't there.

"I'll ask the cashier when I check out," I said, and went back to the rest of my shopping.  In a few minutes she returned.  "It was over with the regular gift wrap.  I didn't know which you were looking for."  She held out her hand with 3 types of tape.

I selected the one I needed and thanked her.  "You truly are a wonderful woman," I said.  And I meant it with all my heart.

We went our separate ways, and I felt good.  How kind of her to go out of her way to help me out.  It saved me several steps.  My hip was as thankful as I was.

A little moment of caring and helping.  There are so many times this happens in a year.  As the new year approaches, I intend to look for all those moments I can, and contribute my own times of helping others without expectation of reward.  Each moment brings its own whisper of joy.  Think how much can accumulate in one's life in a year of minimal effort.

To all who celebrate "the reason for the season" I send out a humongous MERRY CHRISTMAS!  For others who celebrate a time of holiday, I have no problems saying HAPPY HOLIDAYS.  And for those avowed atheist or otherwise determined to be a little Bah Humbug about the whole to-do, too bad.  I'm still going to wish you a Happy Season and may all of us, each and every one, have more days and times of JOY than we can remember, so much we feel elevated in our hearts, like we are walking on air.

Who knows?  Maybe we will be.