Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
I've just returned from the funeral of a good friend - my first socially-distanced under lock-down. It was a sad occasion, as all funerals are, but especially as there were so few family and friends able to be present. A moment of joy and connectedness came though when a message was read from a close family member living in West Virginia, USA. It struck me then that, because of the wonder of technology, her poignant and loving words were also being heard, via live stream, by other loving ears scattered far and wide.
William Sieghart, in his "The Poetry of Pharmacy Returns", points out that scraps of joy may feel incongruous in the midst of gloom, but reminds us that "joy is the most persistent weed on Earth. When it comes, it brings with it abundance, and kindness, and recovery." Goodness knows, we all currently need plenty of that. Here's what poet Mary Oliver says about joy:
"If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don't hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be. We are not wise, and not often kind. And much can never be redeemed. Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimes something happens better than all the riches or power in the world. It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins. Anyway, that's often the case. Anyway, whatever it is, don't be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb."
Writing prompt: What little seed of joy have you experienced today? Write about it for seven minutes and share it you like.
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