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Daily Question, December 24

What can babies teach us about joy?

  • Debbie D

    Seems like others have covered it, but I can just think of being in the moment and enjoying the senses.

  • Mary Pat

    I have similar thoughts to those who have already reflected on this question.....It seems to me that babies have a joy without hesitation, and all their emotions have no filters. Experiences in life have taught me that emotions are much more complex...except for one thing: fireworks. They are not for everyone, but for those that enjoy them they are filled with awe and joy.
    Have you ever observed people watching fireworks? It appears to me to be that same type of joy; instantaneous, witho...

    I have similar thoughts to those who have already reflected on this question…..It seems to me that babies have a joy without hesitation, and all their emotions have no filters. Experiences in life have taught me that emotions are much more complex…except for one thing: fireworks. They are not for everyone, but for those that enjoy them they are filled with awe and joy.
    Have you ever observed people watching fireworks? It appears to me to be that same type of joy; instantaneous, without a thought to evaluate anything at all, but to just let the feeling of joy fill your senses and delight in it. Maybe that is why I love them so much…..we just delight in them, and tap into that kind of joy once again….

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    • Debbie D

      Great observation, Mary Pat. I can just picture a group of people looking up at fireworks; with mouths open, sparkling eyes, and not aware of anyone around them. Talk about being in the moment!!

      • Mary Pat

        Debbie! Yesterday I did not go outside at all, as I was working on that closet…this week is another busy one, but I am determined to get you some pictures….what kind do you want? The sky, the sun, trees…..give me some ideas…..my grandson will be here on Wednesday, and we will probably go for a walk in our Open Space, so put your order in! ;)))

        • Debbie D

          Hi Mary Pat, thanks for remembering. How about a sunny sky – or sky with trees. And you are doing amazingly with your cleaning out! I am happy for you! <3

  • Michael

    That with a little awareness we can go back. Be open, let go. Seriousness does not come into play and is less than it is made out to be.

  • Pilgrim

    Present moment awareness and spontaneity.

  • Kevin

    As adults, we marvel at how babies unabashedly express any number of emotions in response to their surroundings without hesitation. Regarding joy, I wonder how it would feel, and be received, if I allowed myself to do the same thing, without applying the filter of pre-thinking much of the time? I am aware that I do express joy spontaneously in certain settings and less so in other situations. For better or worse, I suggest it’s a consequence of being an adult.

    • Ed Schulte

      Indeed infants are referred to as the "Wise old Souls" because they still have their light or "Clouds of Glory" with them, brought with them from the Source.

      But Br David and Anselin Grin prepared a wonderful handbook for Adults to review and contemplate on how they can get their "Clouds of Glory" back in their current life time. (I am now thinking this would be a very appropriate for the up coming American Thanksgiving because it connects Joy with gratitude. )

      From ‘Faith beyond Bel...

      Indeed infants are referred to as the “Wise old Souls” because they still have their light or “Clouds of Glory” with them, brought with them from the Source.

      But Br David and Anselin Grin prepared a wonderful handbook for Adults to review and contemplate on how they can get their “Clouds of Glory” back in their current life time. (I am now thinking this would be a very appropriate for the up coming American Thanksgiving because it connects Joy with gratitude. )

      From ‘Faith beyond Belief: Spirituality for our Time’…..Brother Davis and Anselin Grun

      The connection between joy and gratitude is a fact of experience. We all know people will have everything they need to be happy and still are miserable, because they end the others, online something different, or want more of the same, and so on. But we also know people have very little or have to fight their way through life with great difficulty and yet they radiate joy. They don’t have any luck, but they have Joy—even in unhappiness.

      If we look carefully at the difference between the miserable and those who enjoy life we see that it is gratitude. The unhappy rich unhappy because they are not grateful for what they have. The happy poor are joyful in their misfortune because, in spite of everything, they are thankful. Gratitude is the key to Joy, and Joy is the happiness that does not depend on whether something makes us happy or not.

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  • Ed Schulte

    they remind us that Joy has no opposite therefore no reason to BE anything but itself.

  • Ose

    They express joy and any other emotion directly, unconditionally, without filtering; expressing truly how they feel. Their joy then is immediately “infecting”, I cannot do other than embrace the joy offered and become joyful myself. Thank you for the reminder! I will offer such direct and unconditional joy to the ones I encounter today.

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