Today I went to a movie called, “The Bucket List”. The bucket list is all the things you want to do before you kick the bucket. It sounds a little maudlin, however I think the concept has great value. The first thing that went on the bucket list was to “witness something majestic”. As the movie continued on there were many things crossed off as they were accomplished. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman played the two main characters and they went to the Himalayas to witness something majestic. When they got there, they discovered they were too late in the season, the storms had moved in and there was nothing to see until spring. They left without ever seeing what they came for.
Having gotten drawn into the movie I felt sadness that they didn’t witness something majestic. I really wanted them to see the mountain in all its glory. However, when I began to think about it, there was majesty all around them. Indeed, there is majesty everywhere.
They went to the Himalayas to find something majestic. They flew over the polar ice cap to get there and never noticed its majesty. They visited the pyramids to mark that off their list, however never noticed the majesty of the pyramids. They went on a safari where there were plains and animals stretched out as far as they could see and while they marked that off their list, they never saw the majesty.
They talked about the Buddhists; that they believe when they get to heaven, they are asked two questions. “Have you found your joy?” and “Have you brought joy to others?” While my beliefs are different than those of the Buddhists, I feel those are extremely important questions. What would the world be like if those two things were on all of our bucket lists?
Have I found my joy? I believe I have and simply understanding that joy is available was a big step to finding it. I have a background of abuse and although it took many years, I have found my way home. Home is where my joy is. It isn’t my physical home; but it is home in my heart where I love myself unconditionally, regardless of what other people think. In my heart where I have contentment with how far I have come and excitement for how far I still have to go. My heart is where my happiness comes from as I go through my day creating the life I choose. My heart is where I truly know I am okay.
Have I brought joy to others? Absolutely I have! I have my family, which includes my husband and our dogs, and they love and appreciate me. I do many things for them as I go through my day. I have friends I spend precious time with who are as grateful for me as I am for them. We share our thoughts, ideas and dreams. I have my clients who find their purpose in life and that brings them great joy. I participate in Pet Therapy; my volunteer opportunity of choice. There is healing for people we spend time with and their happiness is expressed time and time again. We create smiles everywhere we go, whether it is for patients, visiting family or staff members. I evaluate handler teams and am a member of the board of directors for our registry so other people can bring joy to others; as well as themselves.
How about you? Have you found your joy? Have you brought joy to others?
If you have, congratulations. If you are still looking for your joy, or how to bring joy to others, look into your present heart, you’ll find it there!
