Joy is in the blue sky and feeling the sun on my face.

Joy is in connection with others; laughter, appreciation, being kind.

Joy is in moving to music.

Joy could be in big things; a once in a lifetime trip or experience
and it is also available in the everyday.

Joy is noticing, appreciating.

Joy is in pictures of animals:
unexpectedly found in jigsaw pieces of body parts as snow monkeys take shape,
noticing the orangutan with her hand on her forehead 
and that I have adopted a similar pose!

Moments of joy,
even in the midst of sadness or stress.

Wrapped up in the story of my experience,
struggling to see them.

Peeling back the wrapping,
expanding awareness,
allowing the joy in.

I laugh at the sudden harshness of my inner critic,
struck by her savage tone.
How absurdly comical that I should talk to myself that way!

Image by Abigail Keenan on StockSnap

• Managing mood and energy