"If solid happiness we prize,
Within our breast this jewel lies,
And they are fools who roam,
The world has nothing to bestow;
From our own selves our joys must flow,
And that dear hut, our home."
---Nathaniel Cotton
(Author of One Day at a Time)
I stepped outside my door today to drop a letter in the
mailbox for pick up. Across the street, kitty corner from where I live, somewhere across the 8 foot fence was the sweet sound of a girl, about 2 - 3 years old. All she sung was la, la, la, la, la... I recognized quickly the tune to do, re, mi, fa, so; however, she was singing, la, la, la, to the key of cc, dd, ee, f, g, a, b, c, etc. She was consistent in her notes and sounded beautiful. I took time to enjoy some of my flowers as I enjoyed the morning concert with soft breezes coming down from my tree. Instantly, I was reminded how joyful home could be.
When I think about our history from people around the globe, I think about the places they lived and the legacy they left behind. Perhaps there was a cabin on the mountain side where rabbits and wild animals entertained some little boy or girl who inspired them to become interested in science, biology, botany, and that child discovered a cure for a disease that plagued the nation then.... Once upon a time, there were people just like you and I, who were faced with life challenges but in their world some little kid was content and happy singing la, la, la, la, la.
Meanwhile, one day at a time, we take the bull by the horns and we learn how to cope, adapt, discover the quiet that rests inside ourselves. It really is up to us to find our joys and let them flow in hopes there is more kindness, less bull, more joy, less 'boy, oh boy,' greater accomplishments and less condemnations. For you see, I've been thinking about sending out a kinder host to get inside the body and to change the world to become a kinder and better place. Will you join me? I'd love to experience more joy and know that joy is coming from you! ---Patricia Feager
