Chasing Down the Muse: Joy persists in world challenged by despondency
“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.”
— Karl Barth
Walking under a cerulean blue sky with its smattering of light cloud cover, I breathe in the cool, autumn morning air. Sighing, I let the air out with a whoosh and breathe deeply again.
Just below me the tidal movement of waves sounds in rhythmic splashing against the shore. Terns frolic overhead as they cackle with laughter, and a soft, susurrus breeze moves through the towering palm fronds above.
I am awash in the joy of this beautiful morning and filled with gratitude. All in the family are well.
We recently celebrated my mother’s 99th birthday. Husband’s ablation (a heart procedure) was highly successful.
Kids are healthy and doing well. Grandkids are great.
There’s a roof over our heads, and food on the table, and the bills are all paid.
But ...
The world is out of whack. Something akin to survivor’s guilt niggles at me, even as I enjoy all of this beauty and good fortune. The visions of violence that creep into the corners of my mind from so many recent events blindside me even in moments of bliss.
Random shootings in theaters and schools here in the United States, terrorist bombings abroad, horrific treatment of citizens by militant groups in so many different countries around the world, murderous drug cartels, the desperation that evolves into courage for Syrian refugees. All of these and more.
Add in the scourges of drug abuse and homelessness and extremes of climate that seem never-ending. There seems no reasonable explanation. At times, it simply seems overwhelming.
And yet ...
Joy persists.
Returning to writing this piece after a couple of days of other busyness, the wind no longer murmurs in the trees, but rather gusts. The sea is filled with rollicking whitecaps and sends waves crashing onto the sand.
Like the weather, everything changes. Is this what aids in the existence and persistence of joy in spite of the violence and evil in the world? Does the very fact of change somehow give us hope? Whether a shift in the winds or a shift in perspective is causal, I choose to give thanks for the joys in my own life and pray that others may as well.
For me, the splendors of nature, a child’s spontaneous laughter, the appearance of a hummingbird at my window spark immediate thoughts of gratitude and joy. The heartache does not disappear, but we can only do so much.
Living a life of integrity and compassion, holding onto the joys and acknowledging the sorrows, yet not giving way to fear, these are a good place to start.
I hope we can all choose to be grateful for the gifts and enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving!
Laguna Beach resident CHERRIL DOTY is an artist, writer and teacher who embraces the mystery and magic of all that is life. You can reach her at cherril@cherrildoty.com.