Karla’s Korner: Oh Joy!

Oh Joy!

On Thursday this week I sent a text to a friend (extended family member) wishing her a happy birthday. Her response left me a bit sad and humbled “Thanks! I have two funerals to go to today for young friends so I am very happy to be celebrating LIFE!” My heart grew heavy for her knowing that on a day of great celebration for her she would be remembering the life of two people who are special to her. As I checked in on another friend whose granddaughter awaits pathology reports from a tumor removed from his three year old granddaughter’s liver and who has battled cancer in the past year I am reminded just how fragile life is. In a split second it, this earthly life, can be taken away from us and the ones we love so much. Letting go, saying good-bye, and embracing a new normal is difficult at best. But as my friend shared with me life should be celebrated. Being grateful for our lives doesn’t negate what others have lost rather allows us to appreciate what we have at this very moment.

Quite often through the busy-ness of our days we feel bogged down, overwhelmed and unable to find joy. Ordinary days seem to run together and often leave us feeling as if nothing good has happened. Life I believe is supposed to contain ordinary days; lots and lots of ordinary days. As a matter of fact I think it is in those ordinary days that our greatest joys can be discovered. Hans Christian Andersen wrote “The whole world is a series of miracles, but we’re so used to them we call them ordinary things.” It is those ordinary things that often bring the most joy because those ordinary things are not forced, planned or filled with unattainable expectations; they are just ordinary.

Can ordinary be joyful? Yes. As a matter of fact ordinary joy is I believe better than the joy we get from those extra special over the top moments. As part of my New Year’s resolution to find joy in everyday life I started a joy box. Every night before I go to bed I write down something that brought me joy that day and place it in a small wooden box on my dresser. (The joy box sits next to my prayer box) Quite often the joy for the day stems from an ordinary event such as laughing in the kitchen with my husband while cooking dinner, holding a preschooler in my lap at nap time or an extra tough workout at the gym with friends. Whatever the day brings I believe joy can be found.

This week as you muddle through the ordinary take time to reflect and recognize a joy each day remembering that your joys are unique to you. Sister Melannie Svoboda of Notre Dame writes in her book Everyday Epiphanies “Happy are they who have a keen feel for everyday human life, whose ears are attuned to the roar of the ordinary. Happy are they who get a kick out of the commonplace, for they shall encounter joy and pleasure wherever they go!” Embrace the ordinary and find your joy.

Peace,
Karla

I think we all need a touch point a place we can go to be inspired. Karla is my children’s teacher, a good friend, and a person with a heart of gold. I hope that her words will inspire you to do more. We are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. It is important to listen with your heart and proceed with your eyes open. Enjoy!

Read more Karla’s Korner, also please visit Karla’s Lifetime Moms page and read her articles.

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