Joy To The World

 I have encountered an unusual amount of stress lately. There’s so much going wrong it’s just silly! I’m waiting for someone to jump out and yell,” You got punked! Or you’re on Candid Camera!” I don’t care what era the tester is from. I just wonder, can I still be smiling when it’s over? Each day I wake up with joy in my heart. By the end of the day I feel broken down. I have been thinking less about my circumstances and more about my reactions and the impact on my happiness. I don’t believe life is meant to be pleasant all the time. No pain no gain, right? We grow and learn during the difficult times. I have a million examples of how terrible situations turned out to be awesome! But how long can we feel tortured and keep smiling ? Can we keep our happiness no matter what? What will we do to protect our joy?                                                I heard an old song by Three Dog Night this morning that made me smile. I am going to sing the lyrics in my head during the budget meeting, while the doctor does the medical test and when I am stuck in traffic. At a minimum it’s a fun distraction.                                                           “Sing it now, joy to the world

All the boys and girls

Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea

Joy to you and me”.                               (Repeat as needed….)