Life Lesson #1 – Experience Joy Every Day

I recently had a conversation with my mom about lessons she would pass along if given the chance. We’ve had a couple of deep chats lately due, in most part, to my desperate need to soak in as much as I can while she is still with us. She is who I have always turned to and her wisdom, in my opinion, is boundless. She would disagree, of course, assuring me of her fallibility. My mother is not one to lecture or to claim superior knowledge or insight. And this is exactly why I, and many others, seek out her humble and honest opinion and know that her calm and selfless approach are what make her perspective worth listening to.

My mom and I had a great chat. We did so despite the fact that I cried on and off throughout, knowing that I am losing this forever and attempting to soak up every single ounce of her while she is here. I have been lucky to have her at all, I know, but I am not done learning and one of my best teachers is leaving me to try and figure it all out on my own. Well, not quite really. As she regularly points out, we have each other – my sisters and my dad and me. We all know it’s not the same but I guess we’ll learn to make due and even rise to the occasion and honour her. However, I digress. My emotions get the better of me you see. Back to the great chat.

My mom has always been able to whittle away the garbage to get at the core. She dismisses the petty, she sees through the smoke and mirrors and is able to offer clarity and insight. While I get caught up in my emotions, she strips an issue down to its essence, to what really matters. And this is exactly what she did for me. So I pass on her wisdom to you today in hopes that it offers, at the very least, something to think about.

Life Lesson #1 from My Mom:

Simple, ain’t it?! But so very difficult to do. Especially when things are tough. But I know she is right because despite how awful and unthinkable the last months have been there have been many, many joyful moments too. And her point is this; it is a choice. Your glass can be half empty or half full, it’s all in how you choose to see it. And why the hell wouldn’t you chose joy?! If I can make a conscious decision to experience joy every day, why would I not? If I can wake up in the morning and decide that today is going to be a great day and that I won’t “sweat the small stuff” then I’m going to do it.

The trouble is, too many of us don’t. We forget. We get wrapped up in other people’s expectations or perceptions. We get hurt (another choice) or scared (yup, up to me) so the joy of a neighbour’s smile or a child’s hug or a sunset is lost in the sea of crap. A sea full of things that don’t matter at all, really, but that muddle our view and get in the way so we can’t see or feel the joy. It is up to us, each individual, to look beyond it all and let the good stuff in. Otherwise we have chosen to spend our life swimming in the Sea of Crap – that, my friends, is all mine – don’t you think the wisdom is rubbing off 😉

Now these are obviously things I already “know” but mixed up with every other life lesson I’m trying to sift through I lose track of them and can’t prioritize. This time alone with my mom brought me clarity and helped me focus again. I am learning (albeit slowly), and choosing, to have the same peaceful and loving approach as my mom and to experience joy every day.