I love the topic of joy and not just at the holiday season. One reason is simply because the word “joy” brings the memory of a very dear friend to mind, a friend whose name was Joy. She died on Valentine’s Day two years ago and seldom does a day go by that she isn’t remembered by me. She had a lot of joy in her life. Unfortunately, it was blended with a lot of pain. That’s all too common, isn’t it. However, when I think about Joy my heart feels lighter, and that’s the crux of this post, in fact: making our hearts lighter.
Scientific research has established that even one person experiencing the emotion of joy can be instrumental in enhancing the level of joy felt by others, particularly those in close proximity but even those on the other side of the globe. I have referred to this before as the butterfly effect. It’s a powerful concept and true. For instance, one person in your neighborhood can “unknowingly” lift the spirit of the entire neighborhood. The emotional “joy” wave that emanates from one transfers to the many.
The minister at my church made a point of sharing this as part of his message recently. I had been familiar with this idea; in fact have been a strong proponent of it in the workshops I lead; but his reiteration of it heightened my commitment to the practice of feeling it, thus spreading it. Not only now, in this season of joy, but everyday.
I have made a point of saying in many posts over the years that whatever we are thinking and how ever we are feeling “speaks” loudly and quite pointedly to people everywhere. Remembering this makes us aware of the responsibility we have for bettering the world we share with others. Unfortunately, we have an equal amount of power to lower the level of joy in others if we are caught in a negative emotion. That, too, we will emanate.
There is a research organization in California called HeartMath. Companies hire them to help trouble shoot and then resolve communication problems in the work place. Part of their research, like what I shared already, revealed that when employees were led to release any negative interior feelings they had about certain people or situations, replacing them with fond memories, any collection of fond memories, the work environment markedly improved. Its effectiveness was profound because it was such a simple idea and could be practiced quietly and subtly, resulting in better job performance and, thus more successful companies.
Adding to the joy of the world we share with others is a great “job description,” isn’t it? Perhaps you are wondering what you can do now to establish you as a maker of “joy” wherever you go. Try wearing a smile, particularly wear that smile when you are standing in a line waiting to be checked out at the grocery. Engage in conversations with strangers, allowing them to know you are aware of their presence. Discovering that we “have truly been seen,” definitely lifts the spirit of others. Saying a quiet prayer for a friend, a total stranger, or a whole neighborhood of strangers eventually breaks down the barriers that keep us separate, lonely and fearful. The demonstrations of joy, thus the opportunities to impact the world we share with others, are calling to us; perhaps now more than ever before. Let’s “try on” this new job description and watch the world we inhabit change. Shall we?
