Some words take courage

One requires a choice

Joy in Flight © Kathryn LeRoy

Hello friend,

What is courage, and why do we need it?

Created in Canva  © Kathryn LeRoy

“Letting ourselves be seen” that’s the hard part. Instead, we hide behind armor, a shield to protect our deepest feelings. But we also close the door to life’s beautiful moments that bring joy, reflect kindness, and expand love.

When my children were toddlers, I countered whining and tantrums with a warning to “put on a happy face” or go to your room. The approach worked most of the time, but some outbreaks needed a hug or comfort—time to just be in those feelings.

Joy Hovers © Kathryn LeRoy

I view happiness as a result of external positive circumstances or events. In times of stress, challenges, or tragedy, I am not happy. But joy lives inside me and always remains an option regardless of what happens around me.

The poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, described it this way, “The soul’s joy lies in doing.”

I do something. I choose joy and make it a practice building that muscle by cultivating small joys every day.

The musician, Nick Cave, answers questions from his readers in his weekly post, “The Red Hand Files.” One week, he received a challenge from one of his readers, “Ask us a question.”  So, Nick asked:

“Where or how do you find your joy?”

Well over 2,000 people responded to Cave’s question. He received everything from a simple one-word answer, “Golf,” to lengthy essays on how joy makes a difference in the quality of life.

Courage is contagious. What if we started an epidemic of joy?

“Where or how do you find your joy?”

Setting Moon At Sunrise © Kathryn LeRoy

Joy waits, clings, and asks the world one question.

If you’re looking for ideas to build a joy habit, Nick Cave posted the first 500. Take a look and be inspired.

Songs for courage, but especially joy: Joy to the World, Walking on Sunshine, and Joy

We need joy as we need air. We need love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share.
—Maya Angelou

A joy shared is a joy doubled.”
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Love Shares © Kathryn LeRoy

If you would like to read more from me, visit my website. I’ll be there waiting for you.

With gratitude,

Kathryn

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