Trying to find the Joy

I recently was reminded that Man is that they might have Joy. Hmmmm. That one seems to have eluded me for some time. I forgot what joy was. I have been simply surviving and existing and making sure I didn't slip back into a depressive state of mind, that I forgot that I am suppose to have joy in my life.

That got me to thinking. What is joy? I found a quote today that really helped me get a picture of it in my head. I am very visual you know.

"Since the beginning of time, love has been the source of both the highest bliss and the heaviest burdens. At the heart of misery from the days of Adam until today, you will find the love of wrong things. And at the heart of joy, you will find the love of good things."And the greatest of all good things is God."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Love of God," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 22

I broke it down to say: At the heart of misery, you will find the love of wrong things.

At the heart of joy, you will find the love of good things.

I simply have forgotten how to love good things. I was so busy worrying about not being miserable and thinking of things I don't like or what went wrong, I forgot to live in the now and love good things.

I got to thinking

what do I love?

That's harder to answer than one would think.

What do I love?

I love to watch movies, read well written books, knit, play games on the computer, sleep, drive alone to wonderful destinations. Go to church and feel the spirit, visit with good friends. Eat dinner that has been cooked for me. Served in a nice restaurant. Spend time with my dad, my kids, my siblings. I love to get my Friday night phone call from my brother Mike. It's become a ritual. I love to come home to a clean house after my housekeeper has come. It's worth every penny. I love Pepsi cola. Sometimes Cherry Pepsi. I love to look at my Grandmother's handwork, her afghans she made. Her fine workmanship, a legacy I try to recapture in my own handwork. I love to be alone in a quiet house when I have had a long day at work with noisy students. I love to read children's books.

I can always add to my list, this is certainly a good start.

I realize while making this list, that I do have joy, I love lots of good things. I have been very well blessed and watched over. I just needed to open my eyes and refocus on the joy. It's here, right at my fingertips. I just need to reach out to it.

It's the simple-things that bring me joy. Nothing grand or upscale, just simplicity.

So glad for the reminder. I do indeed have joy!