“The joy note in life is the real note. It is higher than pleasure or even happiness. No man can have this joy without being his best and giving his best to others, meeting life undaunted and unafraid, facing bravely its trials, its sorrows, its cares, its tragedy, its pain and its loss. These are real things to us, that dull and deaden and silence the joy note in even the bravest for a time, but they do not last forever. Much of them comes from our own wrong-doing, our own blindness, thoughtlessness and unknowing, from the wrong or weakness of those around us or from the evils of the larger world of humanity.
Life is not easy, but we can make it easier. The joy note will help, it will give us clearer heads and truer hearts….
We start out in the morning not realizing that we have been born anew, have a new start in life as though it were a new first birthday. Of course there are some mortgages left over from yesterday, but there are some dividends as well. Why should we take up our burdens of cares, worries, fears, duties and responsibilities as though we were hoisting to our shoulder the groaning, heavy pack of a peddler? We grow round-shouldered, and old and bent, physically, mentally, morally, emotionally and spiritually in peddling our pack of woes to others, instead of scattering sunshine and smiles, laughter and roses, joyous service and gladsome inspiration along the road that others may find them.” ~ William George Jordan
I’ve often wondered what it would be like were all those who manage to bring joy into our complicated and often confusing world to hang up their hats one day. Would it quickly turn into a cold and desolate winter, where inspiration was hard to come by? Or would the vacuum be cause for others who don’t normally share the load to step up to the plate and start giving more of themselves?
My guess is that we would have another dark age, where suspicion and superstition eclipse trust and truth.
Gregory Hake 
On the other hand, wouldn’t it be wonderful if those that were joyless decided to take up joy’s banner and begin living life as if each day were new? I feel like in this example, as in others, there is the opportunity for such amazing progress that is stymied by an inability to get out act together, either as individuals or collectively. However, as if the joyful people hung up their hats, we have no problem allowing entropy to take over, bringing things to the lowest possible level. We have break this cycle where we move to the worst by default, and begin seeing life as a joyful possibility, where it is easy to find the best in things.
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So many qualities are inherent in joy – victory, promise, wonder, praise, gratefulness…all included in a proclamation of the supremacy of the freshness and potency of life. The instruments of our bodies, minds and hearts are designed to resonate with these qualities, to broadcast them generously and consistently. We certainly note the dark shadows and agony of the world as it has become, but in a sense that should galvanize our motivation to proclaim the radiance of joy wherever there is an opening to express it. Your emphasis is appreciated!
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I think our higher nature becomes audible when the joy note is sounded. The voices of conscience or inspiration can be heard. I think it might be the different drummer that leads us upward in any situation.
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The age of trust and truth is now. This is an incredible advantage for us and the very reason we don’t have to just soldier on. There is inspiration, like your blog, in books or people, all around us that can reignite our joy, even if we have but a little spark left. This is the time to give time, attention and effort to something other than filling our own spaces, that is the fuel for warmth and joy. Thanks for the reminder of what counts!
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I think this is such an important post, especially as we move into one of the seasons of the year which ironically has the highest rates for depression and suicide. I definitely accept the charge to be a joy bringer!
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