Joy Chose You

You need to be ready when it does

Sometimes I snap photos of things I want to write about. In this season of Thanksgiving here in the US, it has been a busy week and I went back scrolling to find one I had snapped a few weeks ago. It seemed so appropriate for my place currently in the world.

This week has been one where I was able to embrace Thanksgiving in a new way with a new lens. In the past, it was a time that I spent searching for the bits of joy to get through the long weekend with a ton of to-dos.

This year was different for me. It was smaller and less chaotic and hosted by someone else. Then, this weekend, I chose a menu and the guests as I had a small gathering of friends who care for me and feed my soul. Old friends. New Friends. Neighbors who have become friends. Bits of family who are friends. Friendsgiving. What a great word and a great time. At one point last night I looked around at the cozy space I have created both for myself and for gathering. And I detected the feeling of joy, choosing me.

I found this poem written by Donna Ashworth a few weeks ago and she says it so well. Sometimes in the business that is this season that is careening toward us, we need to let joy in. Let it choose us. It is not something we can demand, we just need to ready ourselves for it. When you are able to receive it, in all the little bits of wonderfulness, life is good.

I hope this poem speaks to you like it did to me this week.

Joy Chose You
by Donna Ashworth

Joy does not arrive with a fanfare
on a red carpet strewn
with the flowers of a perfect life

joy sneaks in
as you pour a cup of coffee
watching the sun
hit your favorite tree
just right

and you usher joy away
because you are not ready for her
your house is not as it should be
for such a distinguished guest

but joy, you see
cares nothing for your messy home
or your bank balance
or your waistline

joy is supposed to slither through
the cracks of your imperfect life
that’s how joy works

you cannot truly invite her
you can only be ready
when she appears
and hug her with meaning
because in this very moment
joy chose you.