One of the best compliments that I ever got was when someone that I dated said that he loved that I was such a joyful person; what a nice perception that he had of me. Usually I do not define myself or my life by the perceptions of others but that was one compliment that really stayed with me.
I do consider myself to be a joyful person and the thing that makes me more joyful than anything else is music. You know this if you are a regular follower of this journey. I love love love music. In fact, I would consider it to be my true love. Music moves me emotionally and spiritually as well as physically. My dog and I have dance parties whenever the opportunities arise. She thinks I’m crazy in the best way possible (I think).
Music takes me to another place. That place is usually a high priced concert which I do have to admit is one of my two addictions, the other being really good chocolate. Put the two together and I am in heaven. I go to many many concerts and love everything about them including the energy of a good large crowd. I listen to music all the time. When I’m working with a personal training client there is no music on. NOT MY CHOICE!! One day one of my male clients noticed that I was whistling and commented on it. He told me that he never hears women whistling. Women don’t whistle. What? I had to think about this. My natural curiosity made me want to know whether this was true or not. After many months of observation and the questioning of females in my circle, I seem to be the lone whistler. I am ok with that because I am a really good whistler and am in tune. I have also been told that I hum “yum yum yum” when I am eating something that I am enjoying. Pretty funny, I think. Again it must be the wanting to have music surround me so when it’s not, I make my own.
Right now as I write this I have headphones on, volume up and am listening to some old Foo Fighters. What a blast!!!!Music inspires me and brings out the best of me in any situation. There is a universal law (not scientifically proven though) that I wholeheartedly believe in. You cannot be in a bad mood when you’re dancing. It’s impossible, right? I love watching men who believe they can’t dance when they are dancing; the goofier, the better I say. Pure joy is the name of the game.
There is a great Canadian guitarist named Jesse Cook. I have seen him play live a few times and every time I see him get into what he is doing, I honestly see pure joy. It is amazing to watch. Check him out if you have the opportunity.
What brings you pure joy and are you incorporating it into your life every day? If not, what are you waiting for?
What did you like to do for fun when you were 5 or 6? Did you create artistic masterpieces that were then put on the fridge? Did you make up silly songs or create stories or plays that were then performed for anyone who would attend? Did you make up games or have adventures to keep you and your friends entertained outside until the street lights came on and you reluctantly went in for the night?