EXPLORING JOY

Most people think that JOY is something outside of us - to be found or acquired.  Actually, it's an energy we knew how to access as children and over the years, we forgot.

JOY is a fire from within.  An energy of HAhaHAppy that gets ignited by touch, smell, sound and memory. It's a feeling - a birthright - that we get from the simplest of things.

JOY is about finding the pleasure right NOW.   Accepting ALL that is in our lives with grace.  Surrendering to the circumstances with gratitude.   And calling it all Research and Practice - to build our HAHA muscle and increase our HAhaHAppiness.

 

Now, for some of us - our life circumstances feel overwhelming or too haHAhard to handle.  That is where the lens of laughter makes life better.

For me, I spent the last three days with my parents - a sleepover of sorts.  

Dad was having trouble with his balance and Mom was still in a cast with no pressure allowed on her left foot.   They had no way to get around and a whole bunch of doctor's appointments the next day.   

LoverBoy and I decided that it would be easier if I spent a few days and helped my parents out until we could sort out what was going on.  

I myself was feeling exhaHAhausted.   I had a full day before this was thrown into my lap.  This was not part of the original plan. My energy was low  - my body needed a break and a nap.   That was not to be.  So, I did the next best thing.  I took a hot shower and lathered myself up.  I let the hot water take care of my tired bones and loved myself up.  I put on my most comfiest clothes and my biggest bhindi.   I packed a suitcase 

(clothes, computer, toiletries) and a box of necessities (orange juicer, smoothie bullet, a dozen oranges and grapefruits and a clump of baby bananas.  I cancelled all my appointments for the next few days so I could be free to focus on my parents.

That evening, in the pouring rain, LoverBoy drove me to Deerfield Beach.  We brought our dog GingerMama at my Dad's request.  He was craving her peaceful calm enerchi and the love only a dog can give.   While we prepped a healthy dinner (carrot salad, beet salad, hummus, babaghanoush, guacamole and crackers), GingerMama licked hands and let herself be pet and then she layed down at my mother's feet.  

We sat at the table and broke crackers.  And then LoverBoy and GingerMama left - with the garbage in tow.  

Here I was, a 45 year old daughter, sleeping over at my parents, back under my father's roof, again.   It felt a little strange.  What could I do to stay in my pleasure?  I massaged my Mom's feet, did the dishes and tucked my parents into bed by 9:00 pm.   I fixed myself a bed on the livingroom couch - went for a long walk under the great trees on the path - meditated - texted Loverboy goodnight and then somewhat fell asleep.   

The next morning at 6:30 am, I took my Mom to the swimming pool where they have a huge handicapped shower facility and lots of hot water.  As the sun was rising, we removed the cast and she sat on the bench and showered to her heart's delight.  I did too.   Feels so good to immerse in water and let your bones feel lithe and light.   We stretched and dressed and went home.   Great way to start the day with joy.

I pulled out the juicer and made seven oranges to one grapefruit - fresh juice without the pulp.  I love stimulating my digestive system with Vitamin C and powerful antioxidants.  More importantly, having my parents juice with me felt so good.  Introducing them to my morning rituals was an extra added benefit of sleeping over.  

An hour later, I blended bananas and strawberries and blueberries with some carrot juice for a delicious energizing smoothie. 

 So much yummy enerchi and so filling.    

Again, made enough for all three of us.  

We then headed out to Dad's doctor.   We left with 45 minutes to get there even though the doctor's  office was 15 minutes away.  It is in my pleasure to take my time, especially when driving.  It makes me as a driver calmer and aware and a more pleasurable experience for my passengers.  

After the doctor's office, we made a pitstop at Home Depot to return and exchange fluorescent lights.   Nice and easy - we parked and walked and put on a big pink jacket for the A/C effect.  We returned something and bought something.   No walking around and shopping mindlessly.  We knew what we needed - we located, purchased and left.  Totally in my pleasure.

We returned home and had a light lunch.   More salads and vegetables - yummy for my tummy.  And then some quiet time.  While my dad napped, Mom and I sat down and caught up with each other.  We put on some mood music and felt inspired to clean her closet - we went through the clothes and shoes and accessed the excess.  We left only what she loved and prepared a bag to donate of things she no longer needed. We cleaned up her filing cabinet and made her current and up-to-date.  I also fixed minor computer issues (modem, printer, internet) and pesky email settings.  

And then we sat to read (both of our favorite pastime).

 

What I found in these three days... as my parents are getting older and their bodies are wearing down, our roles are reversing.  As I caretake for them, I am more like their parent than their child and they sometimes definitely behave more like bratty kids than my parents.   The Circle of Life, I remind my father as he has had enough of my take care of stuff attitude (he likes to call me "bossy").  I give him space to vent and get used to this chahahange.

 

As such, their attitudes and words and behaviors can really get under one's skin.   

However, I kept my calm by staying in an attitude of gratitude (so grateful for this experience and humbled to take care of my parents in their time of need).   I remained in patience and quiet as I felt my parents' frustrations with their bodies grow.  I felt great compassion knowing what it is like to be in their situations - unable to take care of oneself because of infirmity or illness.   I stayed in my pleasure by breathing and putting on gentle music and reMEMBERing this labor of love I was here to do. I got us laughing as we learned to talk to Siri and text (Iphone lingo).  

And at night, when the day was over, and the parents in bed, I went walking - around the beautiful village on the path with the yummy trees and I moved my body until I got all the tension out and found my sweet spot of peace.  

I stayed in joy by taking exquisite self care of myself so I had enough energy to shaHAhare and care.

Life is as easy as you make it.   That does not mean there are no chaHAhallenges.   It's what you make of these opportunities to grow.  I decided for me, JOY in every MOMent was possible. I focused on making the experience with my parents enjoyable. I stayed conscious that this is my JOB - my Joy Of Being - peace 

and love just because. 

This week, I chahahallenge you to explore joy in every MOMent, especially those moments that really push your buttons.   Which of your senses can you use to be in your pleasure no matter where you find yourself?