One of my little daycare family exudes “joy” out of every fibre of her being. She greets her day, her friends, her friend’s parents and the games she plays with an exuberance that is absolutely contagious.
She smiles with her whole being. She runs up and greets people like she's missed them forever. When she laughs, her laughter comes from the bottom of her soul. When I look at whoever happens to be playing with her, they are as joyful as she is.
I am captivated with this little girl. I feel like a better person when she is in the house. She has an aura about her that enchants you. You simply find yourself wanting just a little bit of whatever she has.
As I think of the others within my daycare family, I think of the emotion that “drives” them, the emotion and behaviour that works for them. Then I think of people I know and finally, myself. What emotion is in the driver's seat within my “head” quarters?
If you have seen the movie Inside Out, you will see where I am going with this.
Pixar movies came up with an amazing depiction of how our subconscious mind works. The main character in the movie is driven (mostly) by “Joy.” Sadness, fear, anger and disgust are always in the background but “Joy” is in the driver’s seat and fights to gain control when she loses it.
I believe we are all craving “joy” in our lives.
When I think back throughout my life, my happiest times were when “joy” was in control of things. Fear took a back seat for a while, even though it was constantly whispering in my ear. Sadness let go of the reins for a spell, though I believe it was a combo platter of sadness and anger that pushed me to find joy again.
I felt so very brave when I was joyful. I started inviting people into my world and my adventures and was absolutely amazed when they actually accepted my invitations and joined me while I was riding throughout that joyful time.
I got so brave that I took a risk. I shook up my world, but things didn't land where I expected them to. I encountered a few people who I believe may have been driven by “fear,” who stomped all over my joy. When my joy was extinguished, sadness took the reins and drove for a while with fear as co-pilot.
I think of those who have been a party to extinguishing my joy and I think there was possibly a lot of fear and sadness driving their emotional ship.
I think of past relationships where I entered on “full” (now redefined as “full of joy” in my little metaphor for living) and left on “empty.” What was the driving force behind that equation? Were we each searching for our own joyfulness when we found each other? Were we looking for someone to be an answer to all of our fears and sadness when entered each other’s lives?
I think of my teenage children and how disgust and anger were the outward actions that masked their fear and sadness. I think of the masks we all wear as we navigate through the complications of life and the emotional aftermath.
I think of those who seem to have impenetrable walls and I wonder what has caused those barriers to be erected and what lies behind that wall.
It’s been a long and twisty road back, but I believe I’m finding my way again. Joy keeps sneaking up on me when I least expect it. My little daycare package of joyfulness has been a little preview of “coming events” if I simply sit back and let joy take the reins again.
I like surrounding myself in less complicated emotions of those who are three years and under. Children wear their emotions on their sleeves and all over their face. If they are happy, they show it. If they are sad, we know it. If they are angry, they let you know about it. If they are afraid, they come running for reassurance and if they are disgusted, they won’t eat it!
What emotion is driving you today? What can you do to give into that emotion, so joyfulness can find its way back to your driver’s seat?
I stumbled upon this quote from Project Happiness: “Make a list of things that make you happy. Make a list of things you do every day. Compare the lists. Adjust accordingly.”
Seems deceptively simple, but I think I’m going to do it. I have been wandering around my little life with joy taking a back seat for longer than I care to admit. I am ready to find my way back. It may be as simple as “adjusting my life accordingly.” Try it with me and let me know how it works for you.
*This post is inspired by the movie Inside Out, a movie for all ages in my humble opinion.
