Simple Joy

There was a light in her eyes that came from the inside out.

The little girl in the shopping cart in front of me in the line at the supermarket smiled. It was a smile reflecting her absolute delight with the cookie she was eating.

Her eyes glowed as she held it up for me to see how perfectly delectable it was. It was as if she was holding it up with unconditional reverence on a gold platter.

I smiled back and clapped my hands in rapt approval of her prize. She beamed and took another bite with a natural, dramatic flourish.

“What a lucky girl you are to have such a good cookie!” I exclaimed.
She nodded her agreement vigorously then beamed another radiant smile.

This little girl was in fully present in her experiences and ecstatic. She was unburdened by self doubt and her worthiness to participate in such unadulterated joy – and, free of concerns about the skyrocketing cost of food and gasoline.

The groceries were packed and loaded in the shopping cart, and her mother said, “Wave good bye to the nice lady, Emily.” She did as instructed. I waved back, my connection to pure, innocent joy disappearing as the automatic door closed behind her. Whoosh.

I turned back to my lack-luster life of broccoli and tofu then my eyes lit on the solution! I, too, could create the innocent bliss that had just whooshed out the door. I picked up a Dove bar from the candy display rack, and put it with my other groceries. Ah, the joy I shall have!

The simple joy of being alive is always being offered to us – in smiles, spontaneous connections and chocolate, of course.