What’s that, you say? Well, the search for joy this year has resembled Fred, our squirrel, digging for acorns through the ice last month. We all know it’s there but darn, it’s hard to find.
When this series formed in my addled brain, I aimed at the five Basic Senses, or as one devotional message called them, the original five love languages. Then the sixth sense popped up - which is the one in the headline, that indicated body awareness.
Then came a seventh, and before I knew it 12 senses developed. That’s a lot of joy to absorb. Or figure out.
Especially when all dickens were cutting loose around every corner. And that’s just at my house and it was mostly all electrical or IT related. If it was plugged in or computer related, I could be sure it would break before I turned around. Or figure out how to fix it.
The world was already spinning out of control by its own self.
A very simple moment reminded me of how much I (maybe you, too) have to be thankful for – and I experienced a stunning moment of absolute joy that practically had me weeping.
I celebrated the five-year anniversary of my cancer treatment and ongoing remission!
Oncologists called it “the cure” but I hate to tempt fate. All traces are gone, and so are the frequent check-ups. One appointment a year works for me.
This joy emphasized the journey so many others have taken when they came out the other end.
Many did not. And all have my compassion and prayers for keeping on, fighting to regain whatever health is possible.
What’s curious is that I couldn’t pinpoint exactly which sense to be grateful for. This one was a full body experience, much like hugging and kissing a warm puppy. Every cell and muscle was quivering with happiness.
I would have clicked my heels like Dorothy in Oz if I hadn’t been driving home – or if I could remember how to do that without hurting myself.
Something so simple, so fleeting, made the rest of that day skate past. Smiling at trucks passing at high rates of speed. Laughing at dumb comments on the radio. Even laughing at myself.
It made me wonder what comes next? What joy should I aspire to grabbing? Or is this one enough?
Well, no it’s not. Not for the whole year of 2026 - but for the month of March it is excellent.
It erased all taints of sarcasm and judgment from the primary election cycle. It made me want to jump back into the game and fight harder for my values. Not the values that overpaid, hypocritical politicians are foisting upon the innocent public. Mine!
It definitely brought thoughts of a vacation and travel back to mind. Something else to make me smile.
Or think twice about, as the economy and inflation wreaks havoc everywhere, especially on all transportation venues.
Maybe that’s a heavenly hint I should aspire to - more exercise. Traveling under my own steam. That would bring a bunch of joy if the aging muscles would cooperate.
But one joy that a recent survey shone the spotlight on was the joy of friendship. Companionship. One to another communication – in person, not on a screen. Sharing personal and mutual joys in the moment. Apparently this is something that younger millennials are missing in their lives, according to the survey.
So that’s what I’ll be doing the rest of this month, as soon as I get my computer printer fixed. Visiting with family coming this way which is out of their way. And maybe one of them knows what to do about the printer!
Now with the misery of daylight time change gone, and kids’ Spring Break over, what else? Let’s look forward to the joy of Easter Week fast approaching and the last freeze of the season. Fingers crossed.
Source: Freepik.com