More Ooze More Joy!

                                                                     

 "Ooze" is not one of the most pleasant words in the English language. It can actually bring some pretty disgusting things to mind. Hopefully we will all think differently after reading through these rallying reminders. 

You may recall my word for the new year is "joy." My motto for the new year is,"Choose Joy." Was my motto not sufficient for these first few months? Well, it was until it wasn't.

It's not that I had mastered this choosing joy thing. Believe me, that was not the case at all! Turning the calendar to March did not allow me enough growth time for that. 

All was sufficient until I saw this lady...this beacon of light...this inspiration...this source of conviction. She caused me to be motivated for more. She made me unsatisfied until I showed more.

Part of my routine is to do a prayer walk each day. There is a beautiful park nearby that I frequent. There is a beautiful lady that also frequents this beautiful park. I am blessed when we travel along similar paths. This lady is precious...she's adorable. She oozes joy!

For anyone who is privileged to pass her on the path, their day will become better. They will be instantly uplifted. As she lifts each foot, she lifts each heart. 

This dear lady doesn't even speak our native tongue. I learned that as I was asking to take her picture. She never seemed to grasp what I was trying to say. It's easier to grasp what she is saying because her body language speaks so loudly. As she passes fellow walkers on her journey, she stops...she smiles the biggest smile... and she waves with exuberance. You can't help but light up when in her light. 

Take a look at the picture below to see her sweet self even though the picture doesn't do her enough justice.

She has become my picture for "oozing joy."

I'm not typically a joy oozer. Are you? If I'm honest with myself and with you, worry and concerns are more what would typically ooze out of me. They can occupy far too much of my mind space. It's time for me to refocus my mind so I can have a change of heart leading me to a call to action.

I want to be oozing more joy wherever I go. Our God knows we all need a large dose of that!

Whatever I ooze can't help but get all over me as well. Smiling at others puts a smile on my face too. So, what is my call to action?

For starters...

My added purpose on my walks is now to bless those I pass. I can say hi to that sweet baby and complement that cute dog. It's not my style to profusely wave...but I can surely conjure up a smile and a hearty hello. It could be the only acknowledgement that recipient will receive in their day. What a privilege if I am the honored one to give a dose of encouragement!

That check-out clerk deserves my genuine interaction, not just a grunt or glare at the credit card machine. I'm capable to carry-out my own groceries, but maybe asking for assistance can lend an opportunity to bless my bagger as I engage them in conversation. Most service personnel wear a name badge. Let that become a badge of honor and a reminder to me. Their name is plainly shown so I can plainly call them by name. Everyone feels valued to hear their name spoken out loud. Is that too hard for me to do more often?! It may take a little more time. It will take a little more intention.

There's no better way for me to gain more joy than to share more joy. I must do so over and over again and again. The simplest of gestures can reap the greatest of rewards. I will reap as well.

Let's all live more joy out loud. Let's all ooze until we can ooze no more. Being filled-up is the first step to being spilled out. No one will mind cleaning up the extra ooze off the floor!

                                                                            

You cannot lose

if you choose to ooze                                                         

on people all around.

Do it on the street

with all you meet.

More joy will then abound.