Free Joy

I was blessed last weekend to be part of a baptism for my niece Jordan. with a beautiful ceremony and celebration. What inspired me most of all was the quality of love and joy a 4 month old expresses as a response to attention. When you talk to her, she lights up in her eyes, smiles so wide and you feel as though this great love and joy is just surging at you. I have not been around a small one in quite a long time. All babies have this incredible loving smile at you, free joy I call it because there is no way not to feel their happiness and be infected by the pure love and appreciation they reflect at that age.

They are so happy for your attention! They just look at you when you talk to them and suddenly break out into the most alluring smile! It is so beautiful a feeling. It is so genuine and authentic. It isn't the half smile or the look of how are you that you get from people when you interact. Or the things are good that seems just like a rote response. It is this Oh so glad to engage with you as though you were the greatest thing in the world. True interest, true gratitude, true love and joy for your attention. My heart sung so many times through out my visit with this warm smile. So accepted, so delighted, so thankful for your attention. It was heartwarming and reminded me of this true relation. A clear acceptance and thankfulness.  How few times we actually offer this to others. Maybe when they do something really nice or helpful do we respond this way. Not often that is for sure.

I am sure this very response they give is why they say, through the eyes of a child. That true happiness comes when you see the world as a child does. Greatful, curious and happy to engage in new things and situations. Almost just waiting for a chance to smile and connect, eager to engage, happy to delight. If only we could remain so simply open to joy. Open to others instead of concerned they may take advantage or wonder what their motive. Just open to what comes and truly receptive to connecting.

On this thanksgiving I commit to approach others as Jordan approaches the world. In wonder, open to any engagement, offering a smile so genuine and appreciative. Being open and clearly looking for the joy in connecting with others in such a basic way. A child smiles as though to say, the light in me sees the light in you. That is basically what Namaste means. It is a soul connection, a deep hello with heart and kindness. Wouldn't the whole world be a different place if we sought to just connect and smile at others. If there is no reciprocity in the engagement or way to work with them, no need to be annoyed or disgusted. Just move on to the next situation open to engage and find the next bit of free joy. No tarrying or judgement, no disrespect, just a happy moving on to find one whom does have something to offer and recieve. Genuine joy in communing. Genuine thanks for the attention. Free joy to carry you as you move this this journey called life.