The Spark of Joy

Joy comes when we are able to turn our attention to the things that matter most in our hearts.  These are the things that brought us here to our Earth journey.  They are the things that lift us up, that allow us to breathe with new life, and that let our hearts sing.  They nurture us into being ourselves. 

Joy has an ephemeral quality.  It is experienced in the moment, then it moves on, like a butterfly or a hummingbird.  But joy doesn't leave for good.  It travels, and it will return.  When we notice a lack of joy we can then do things to invite it back into our lives,  We can pay attention to the moments of joy that we have experienced, and listen for the best ways to make space for those moments to happen again.  This may take some practice and dedication, like strengthening our muscles.  But the more we focus on loving ourselves and following our truest desires of the heart, the more joy visits us.  By doing our own work of connecting with ourselves, we create a path for joy to find us, and to develop a regular rhythm for making its way back to us.  Sometimes this path toward loving ourselves can present challenges. For me, they are always worth it, because joy makes a fine foundation for the work of our hearts and lives.

"The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives, and everything to do with the focus of our lives."

          --Russell M. Nelson