Unleashing Joy
Where am I feeling joy today?
This is SUCH a discomfort-inducing question.
I went to bed last night
(though sleep took an uncomfortable while to arrive)
feeling great grace and gratitude for
and joy in
my life.
And I experienced all kinds of
maneuvering
to somehow dispute this
and/or warn of its danger
or its misinterpretation.
These arguments are what kept sleep at bay:
Joy is fleeing and misleading.
Joy means you’re not paying attention to the world around you.
How shameful of you
to embace joy
when so many people around you are suffering.
Shoot!
When YOU are suffering?!?!
How naive,
How “Pollyanna-ish” of you
to think that joy is real
or sustainable in any way!
Joy.
Peace.
Happiness.
Serenity.
Within myself.
In my bones,
in my muscles,
in my fascia, joints, ligaments,
tendons,
nerve fibers…
WHAT IF…
Joy
is buried here
and can be released
from the cells of the body
instead of held onto and hidden within the caverns?
WHAT IF…
Peace
is lurking in the shadows,
wanting to be called out on stage
to receive an award
for its stealth,
its stalwartness,
its steadfastness,
its patience?
WHAT IF…
Serenity
is right here, with me,
in my own backyard,
gliding quietly,
smiling softly,
beckoning me to sit beside her
and ease gently
into the starlit evening?
WHAT IF…
Happiness is right here right now,
arms open wide to me,
for me,
ready to welcome me
into her warm,
love-filled
embrace?
WHAT IF…
They’re right here,
right now
ready,
willing and
able
to be freed,
to be released from,
to be relieved of
the burdens of doubt and judgment and criticism
that have held them captive
in my tissues for…
ever, it seems.
WHAT IF…
What would life look like?
What would life feel like?
What would I look like and feel like
with peace,
joy,
happiness,
serenity
free to roam,
to travel along the beautiful vagus nerve
that touches every one of
the systems in my body?
What songs would I be able to sing?
What dances would I be able to dance?
What poems would I be able to write and recite?
What would I…
What could I…
unleash in the world
if/when I’m able
to set her free?
Imagine.
And now receive.
©paulaksgardner, 2025.
