In a comment to this site, Joanne asked me to write about ???purpose and the daily manifestation of joy.??? I thought I would start with Joy. I have to be a little careful here, because it is a small word that people expect a big emotional experience from. It is learning to appreciate the smaller joys to be found in the now that is the real ‘daily manifestation of joy’. I have tried to capture it thus:

AN ODE TO JOY IN THE NOW

Amidst the unending demands of day to day life

Please help me to be aware of your constant presence

From your small forms like a single cloud in a vast, blue sky

To the large forms like the antics and laughter of the innocent child

Keep me in touch with that same child within me that enjoys to joke and laugh

And remind me to appreciate the good things of my life which I tend to take for granted

Help me to leave my fears in the future where they may or may not come to be

While doing what I can today to prevent their outcome

So that I may return to my appreciation of your eternal presence in the now

Help me to learn what I need to from the pain and sadness of the past

Such that they no longer need to haunt me in the present

So that I may return to my appreciation of your eternal presence in the now

Allow me to receive the care of those who are so kind as to offer this treasure

Appreciating the very full value of your presence at these times

Finally, help me to remember how to be the best that I can be, for that is you within me.

by George Blair-West