# data[].attributes.body
Joy - often wary,
playing hide and seek with us.
May we all find it.

# data[].attributes.body
For all of my messiness,
imperfections, and crazy fears
You love me, still!

CM

# data[].attributes.body
surprising moments
an unexpected smile
a moment of self-acceptance

# data[].attributes.body
Among someone else's words;
I search for the elusive;
coming home to my body, I discover rejoicing.
HilaryC

# data[].attributes.headline
Joy           From bright blue skies double rainbows      Dip and pour their palette onto green grass.        Arcs of color that dissolve my grey lows.        dm

# data[].attributes.subject
Joy           From bright blue skies double rainbows      Dip and pour their palette onto green grass.        Arcs of color that dissolve my grey lows.        dm

# data[].attributes.body
It’s under here somewhere

I saw a flicker yesterday

A gasp of oxygen

# data[].attributes.body
Some days my joy is tainted by guilt—too aware, so much suffering and injustice

Other days the joy is tinged with fear—too high too long; the happiness is hollowing, the crash is coming

But today’s joy is unblemished—headed to bed with a new collection of smiles, feeling a satisfied tiredness borne of laughter and connection

# data[].attributes.body
Bask in joy

(When it comes)

Like a flower lifting its face to the sun.

# data[].attributes.body
May joy be unto itself. In itself. Of itself.
Joy is too important to wait for morning.
Too powerful to be subject to time and circumstance.

# data[].attributes.body
Finally – joy!

A favorite hymn line – justice and joy - fills my heart

Joy makes doing justice work possible

# data[].attributes.body
Such joy
Heart soaring
Eyes smarting
Family hugging
Dog trying to join in
Remember
Anticipate.

# data[].attributes.body
I saw you today!
Your eyes smiled right at me.
Oh how you’ve been missed!

# data[].attributes.body
It is homecoming
It is the arms of my children around me
Those rare moments when anxiety leaves
and I feel safe

# data[].attributes.body
Sunshine glides up my stomach

Every time someone says they care for me

I wish I could store its yellow-brightness for later

# data[].attributes.headline
Illusive              And then              The sun is brilliant 

# data[].attributes.subject
Illusive              And then              The sun is brilliant 

# data[].attributes.body
the smell of warmth and sweetness
shriek of laughter breaks through the still
morning air alive and free

# data[].attributes.body
Joy comes unbidden
Greenfinch on a budding branch
Singing to the sun

# data[].attributes.body
Joy creeps in with the grey light of dawn
to eyes red-raw with tears and sleepless
with grief. It makes no false promises.

# data[].attributes.body
There is a soul-surfacy sort of contentment that masquerades as joy, and many are fooled. / There is a soul-penetrating sort of love that is headed in the right direction. / There is a soul-center sort of grace that is the source --and destination-- of all joy.

--Mark Nielsen

# data[].attributes.body
that wont always be
sunshine, flowers, good woods walk
secret recipe

- KJM

# data[].attributes.body
There is a soul-surface feeling of pleasure that masquerades as joy. / There is a soul-penetrating grace that creates joy, drives the heart to rest or dance. / There is a soul-center

# data[].attributes.body
May the God of hope
Fill us with all joy and peace
Through Spirit's power

WDRplus

# data[].attributes.body
sudden pleasure fills my cells

heart expands to my fingertips and toes

A quick intake of breath, a long, delicious sigh

# data[].attributes.body
Who has a right to joy?
We need a rite of joy.
Write joy. The unspeakable can be seen.

# data[].attributes.body
joy in the moonrise
joy in the sun
joy in the sleeping dog’s snore
joy in acceptance that I cannot stop pain, decay, madness -
the sudden or gradual loss of all that I love
joy in discovering that grief and love our sisters

# data[].attributes.body
Feet rippling still water,

breaking the surface, yet

finding it cool and constant below.

Joy, my wellspring -

submerged, I still have my life's breath,

I am radiant in respite.

Surrendering distress, at rest,

I am held aloft, afloat

until I set my feet on solid ground.

-ae

# data[].attributes.body
To see God's love in the bursting forth of spring bulbs
In the warm air blowing over an expanse of old, dirty snow
In the smiling eyes of walkers enjoying the sunny outside
That is Joy.
GM

# data[].attributes.body
these days i'm dancing with myself
on a frozen pond, naked after a shower--
my hips and smile access a lightness, a joy not present before

# data[].attributes.body
joy is a practice, a commitment to life, even in its mess
also, sometimes joy just comes—-a wave, a burst—-unbidden but so welcome
Norah’s laugh, love wrapped around me in the night, the moon still full and high when i slid out of bed to write.

-akb