REsources for Living
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I figured that in exploring the topic of joy it would be good to ask an expert for some input. So I decided to interview my dog, Piper, who is pretty much the most ridiculously joyful being I have ever encountered. We say of Piper that her emotions run the gamut from cheerful to ecstatic (with exceptions for baths and/or our other dog getting treats which “rightfully” belong to her).
Here’s how the conversation went:
Lynn: So, Piper, can you share with us the secret to finding so much joy in your life?
Piper: What’s not to be happy about? I’m here. You’re here.
Lynn: Good point. One of the greatest sources of joy is the companionship of those we love. The experience of unconditional love, of just being in the presence of someone who knows you and loves you just as you are has to be one of the greatest joys in the world. What would you say are other important sources of joy?
Piper: Snake! I kill it! Ha ha! (Pounces on favorite squeaky snake toy.)
Lynn: Oh, I see. What you’re saying is that in order to be truly joyful, everyone needs a sense of purpose, a mission in life to accomplish.
Piper: Snake! (Shakes snake toy vigorously)
Lynn: Um, you get that that isn’t a real snake, right?
Piper: Piper is queen of the snakes. I kill it. I kill them all!
Lynn: So what you’re saying is that other people’s perceptions of our activities shouldn’t make a difference in the joy we find in life. I might think that what you have in your mouth is just a raggedy stuffed toy, but if killing it is meaningful to you, then it doesn’t much matter if it’s meaningful to me. Don’t let other people rain on your parade, right?
Piper: Parade?
Lynn: No, not at the moment. But I’m sure you’d enjoy marching in a parade.
Piper: I could dance!
Lynn: Yes, you could. And I’m sure people would enjoy seeing a dancing dog. I suppose that another path to joyfulness is being ready to share your unique gifts with the world, to be able to feel like your own particular ministry makes life better in some way for the people around you. The truly joyful don’t hide their light under a bushel.
Piper: What’s a bushel?
Can I eat it?
Lynn: No, sorry.
Piper: It would be better if I could eat it. How about a snack?
Lynn: I see what you mean. People tend to want to make joy into something abstract, something that we’ll find some time in the future when we’re older or thinner or done with the project or more enlightened or whatever. But most often joy comes to us in the small things that are close to hand, in our pure animal pleasure in the moment.
Piper: So now would be a good moment for cheese, yeah?
Lynn: It could be. But here’s
what I’m wondering. How do you make joy stay, in a world where pleasures are so fleeting? If I give you a piece of cheese, it will be gone in an instant. The way you eat, maybe half an instant. And then the cheese will be gone. Doesn’t that make you sad?
Piper: We could get more cheese.
Lynn: True. But think about it. Life is like that piece of cheese. No matter how much you enjoy it, it’s going to be over way too soon. So how do we find joy, knowing that life is short and death is just around the corner?
Piper: Around the corner? Are we going for a walk? (Bounces up and down) Let’s go!
Lynn: Hmm…. So you’re saying that we never know what’s around the corner. Life as we know it has to end, but who can say what happens after that? All of us are on a journey, and maybe death is just another part of the journey, so why not be open to finding joy at all points along the path. Is that it?
Piper: I love the path! Can we go now? Can we bring cheese?
Lynn: Sure, why not? Thanks for sharing all your insights.
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