There are a great many things that cause joy. Family, friends, entertaining events are just a few. I personally believe it’s all about what we value. A woman doesn’t go through giving birth, in most  cases, just cause she likes pain. At a minimum it is because she values life, more to the point her child’s life.   A doctor doesn’t usually go into a career only  because school is nice.  Many things bring joy. For me it is my family.My career is being a mother. My joy from it is…hearing my daughter say her abc’s with “Elmo pee” vs.LMNOP. Creativity is a must, besides that it makes me smile.  When potty training becomes sticker training, or m&m training.  When a song and dance to ring around the Rosie interrupts doing dishes. That for me is joy.  More joy than I can even truly express in words. When a falls bump is cured by a kiss, that’s joy. When watching your baby eat from a bottle knowing they can. Praying for that same child to poop and finally having it happen this is joy. No more tubes, tests or surgery’s in your child’s future that is exquisite joy. When your ears ache to hear a doctor say “Surgery went great. She’s off the vent.” That is joy beyond description. 

When the person in your family who’s been most cruel to you tells you “I’m sorry”. That is joy. When you apologize to someone and they hug you. Even though the past hurt so badly; to be forgiven that is joy. To learn you were wrong and truly understand how wrong you were, that can also be joy. Face rejection and anger and get love in it’s place, that’s joy.  To finally know in your heart that you have purpose. To be able to live your dreams. To know perfection is a myth, but good enough is possible to attain that is also joy. Life is hard, things aren’t fair. We aren’t equal. All this is how it should be. That is what I believe joy is. 

Life is so fleeting. One moment here, the next gone.  maybe each person needs to realize that each breath we take is a gift not to be taken for granted.  Maybe we need to live our lives as if somehow we know it could be the last.  Say hello to an old friend. Go out of your way for a stranger. Say how we feel before we can’t. Enjoy our hobbies, our daily life. Live, pass on our great personal gifts to others. Look at things as though one other person can use our knowledge to make themselves, and the world better.  To take the time to read to our children, and sing with them.  Try our best to be positive. All in all no one knows. So live it up, love it all, and leave this world a better place because you were here. I have heard many elderly and critically ill speak similar words. But chosen few live this way day in and day out. Shouldn’t we all? Those that do leave a legacy behind that will out live them. Perhaps even us. Wouldn’t it be a shame to not pass it on.