10/18/2024
I was the middle of a nap yesterday afternoon, when the house started vibrating with the booming sound of planes and helicopters flying low over our house. When this happens, it usually means that there is a fire. (We must be on a flight path for aerial fire fighters. So far this year, we’ve seen 21 fires from our home, which means that a lot of planes have flown directly over our home.)
I got up and looked out the window and saw the smoke from this latest fire. (Here is a photo the I took out the window - it was called the Glenhaven Fire.)
Every fire breaks my heart because I can only begin to imagine the people, animals and plants that are affected. (Luckily using 747s, planes, helicopters - including Sikorskys - and ground support, they eventually got the fire out.)
As I watched the flames and smoke, I could hear the national news in the next room. My husband was watching news on television. The news sounded devastating on so many levels. My heart was heavy watching the fire and hearing the news.
But then I shifted my focus. Out my window, I could see a deer in our small orchard eating apples off the ground. I watched a dozen hummingbirds hovering around my feeders. They all seemed completely unconcerned by the planes, fire, and daunting news.
I inhaled deeply and relaxed. Simply changing my focus changed everything. In the moment I realized that my angst wasn't helping anyone, but potentially my joy could.
Focusing on joy doesn’t mean that you don’t take action to help and support others when needed. It doesn’t mean that you have blinders on about what is occurring in the world. Allowing joy in actually makes one more effective, as fear can paralyze you and joy can help activate you to action. So here's to focusing on joy.
In this moment, I’m holding you in my heart and sending you the soft peace of a deer eating apples for you to have a gracious and loving day. Your joy can change the world.