The Key to Joy

A wise sage once said

"The key to joy is being easily pleased"

I have so many expectations

I want this

I want that

I am taught to want

by the ads who tell me

I don't have what I want

and need

I don't have enough

enough stuff

enough money

enough love

enough of anything

I am taught that I don't have enough

by my ego (not in the bad sense, just this "self" I have constructed)

that tells me 

I am not enough

that I must have more ability

more talent

more power

more influence

more 

more

more

and yet

there is so much

right there

in front of my eyes

if I will just see

there is the love of a friend 

the silly smile of my granddaughter

a walk at the zoo with my daughter

and her wonderful husband

there is a little black girl

with a mom with stage four cancer

who calls me Grampa  Steve

there are new friends

and old friends

there is the brilliance of the sky

there is Mount Joseph 

soaring into that brilliant blue

there is Kramer (my cat)

snuggling against me,

glad that I am home

if I just accept the life

as it comes my way

if I am just easily pleased

I can have so much joy

 

This does not means there are not hurts, and disappointments

This does not mean challenges need to be denied

life is what it is

 

but 

God is everywhere

and gifts 

are waiting

quietly