Joy

We must ask ourselves one thing while thinking about this trait. Is this trait internal or external; presented or perceived; received or given; forced or grown? I'm intrigued by this as so many people will toss out the idea of living "in joy," yet their actions and life are saying something completely different. How chauvinistic is it to think that we can claim to be living a certain way when in all reality it is those around us who are given the authority to label us as joyous or not?

I talked to a man named Douglass today who was struggling through his day. With life and people were causing him strain, he looked distressed. Yet, as we talked, I began to see the veil lift as we brought up the liberating idea of allowing joy to rest on us rather than attempting to present a sentiment of joy to those around us. How different our lives will be when we begin to realize that the words of the people around us are more powerful than our own internal exhortations of being joyful? So, I must end in asking myself just one thing, "Do others see me as joyful?"