Joy Rising - Lesson #10 - Oprah's LifeClass

What brings you joy?

Is it birds singing, your children's laughter, reading in bed on a Sunday morning?

You know what brings me joy?  All of the above but other things bring me joy...unrelated to me...unrelated to my kids...my life.

I find joy in an athlete winning a medal...honestly, I don't know how many times I started to cry when a Canadian stood on a podium. Heck, they didn't even have to be Canadian. The thing is I don't know these athletes. I haven't followed their careers. I probably don't follow the sport unless it is at the Olympics but the joy I get from their accomplishments is very real to me. I feel the joy their family and friends must get from seeing them persevere and succeed.

Oprah Winfrey - Discussing Joy Rising

I find joy in my clients when they have a breakthrough and realize that it is o.k. to get rid of the stuff. As a professional organizers (and often an amateur therapist), I have to help people navigate the journey through their belongings. So when I see in their face the realization that the picture, the sofa, the scarf, the dish is NOT their loved one nor is it a living object but, actually,  just a 'thing', ...I see their joy...I feel their joy...I experience genuine joy.

I also experience joy just being in the same room as my husband. This type of joy confuses, annoys, perplexes my husband. He doesn't understand that his physical presence gives me joy. [No, Oprah and Iyanla, he does not define me nor do I rely on him to provide joy in my life]...I just feel happy to be near him.  I can't even equate it to love...that is different to me.  His presence truly brings me joy. His 'presence' is enough, Miss Iyanla Vanzant.

Lastly, I often feel joy from the thoughts that are formulated in my head. I have thought 'bubbles' on anything...the way my hair looks, the thing the teacher said, the call I just got from my mother, the outfit someone is wearing.  Anything really.  I think funny thoughts...and I often share them.  I will ask: "Was that my outside voice?"  Inevitably, someone will reply, while laughing, 'uh...yeah'.  So that is something that brings me joy.  My funny, quirky, sarcastic inner voice brings me joy.

I loved Oprah's LifeClass tonight because it was all about Joy Rising.

Take some time to reflect this weekend: what brings you joy?

P.S.: Dancing in the car to the Black Eyed Peas brings me joy... A LOT OF IT.