Find Joy In All You Do

15 Jan

“If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow.”  ~ Unknown

There are times that I find quotes upon which to reflect that point directly at me.  Today’s quote would be one of them.  Any of you who know me know that I hate the snow.  I hate it because it causes major problems on the road.  I hate it because it causes accidents.  Okay, it doesn’t cause accidents, the people driving cause accidents.  But, it contributes to accidents.  I hate it because it causes power outages when the overburdened branches of trees are downed and take power lines with them.  I hate snow because it is a slip hazard and I sure don’t want to break any bones.  Finally, I hate snow because it creates a mess for our parking lots and necessitates tiring hours of plowing for my employees.

I know that is quite a litany of reasons to hate snow.  However, as much as I always proclaim my loathing of snow, there is, deep down, a joy that I feel when it snows.  First of all, it’s pretty.  Let’s just get that out there right away.  It’s pretty.  Second, it is good for the plants, trees, and soil.  Third, it is a time machine.

Time machine, you say?  Absolutely.  Whenever I see a good snow, I am transported back to the days of my youth, playing without a care in the world in mounds of snow.  I didn’t have to worry about plowing then or driving or anything else that the snow would impact.  All I had to do was play in it and throw it at my younger brother and friends in snow ball fights.  Allowing myself to experience that time machine brings me joy even as I fret about the snow coming down.

If we apply that same principle to other areas of our lives, we might be able to allow joy to seep into what might be an otherwise dreary day.  Joy is an agent that gives us energy and keeps us going.  Look for joy.  Allow joy to well up within.  Feel fresh and vibrant.

FAITH ACTION:  If your day ever brings you tension or stress, look for reasons to find joy in what you are doing that you may be reinvigorated.