Joy Cometh in the Morning

No, I have not folded back into the church despite that tid bit from Psalm 30...I simply like the sentiment that it evokes. Religious white washing aside, and let us be clear, all of the "faiths" have multiple skeletons in and out of closets to deal with, doesn't mean I have to throw out the baby with the bathwater to glean something positive or inspirational from 'the word of god'. Those of free mind and will will take what they want from teachings and scripture and I really don't see anything wrong with that, atheists don't have the market cornered on intelligence do they? So allow me to be uplifted by hymns such as Amazing Grace and Be Not Afraid or taking inspiration from said Psalm above...got it? Good.

A dear friend related a quote she thought I would appreciate, being a lover of quotes and trying to live my life in the light as opposed to commiserating with the soul sucking negative Nelly's in this world, "comparison is the thief of joy" Google tells me that this quote is attributed to Theodore Roosevelt...bravo sir. I'm sure his face wasn't carved into Mt Rushmore for this quote, you know he was a president and all, it is none the less a great theme for the day. And not just the day but for life in general really...and one that I subscribe to of course.

I may have related this story previously but since it really dovetails nicely with my thoughts for today it bears repeating. A few years back while working as Supreme Leader of the Culinary Division of Oak Island Resort I happened to be in one of my best friends office chit chatting as I was known to do from time to time. Side bar here - my staff knew if I wasn't in the main kitchen I was probably down in her office. I guess I was sitting there bitching about one thing or another, going on about what ever may have been pissing me off at the time. After a few minutes of this she got up, walked her ABBA loving ass to her door, slammed it shut and simply reamed me...verbally. In essence she kicked my ass for being in such a negative mood over the past few months that she couldn't handle it anymore. How this wasn't me and I needed to get my act together but quick. Errrrrr.....you're right of course, it wasn't me and thankfully hasn't been me since then. You see, I had let someone else and their negativity drag me down to their level...I was falling into the old trap of letting the darkness rule the day. Her butt kicking snapped me out of it and thank you for very much for that, your ABBA Greatest Hits CD is in the mail by the way my friend. Thank you.

We have a choice. What kind of day will you have today? Will it be happy or not? Simple really and for me it has to do with knowing that tomorrow will be a better day. And the day after better still...joy cometh in the morning, unless of course you're in negative town doing all those things that keep you stuck there. Be it comparing yourself to others, looking for someone to blame for your lot in life or any of the myriad of actions and reactions that keep us in the dark. Shortly after said butt kicking this song came to the rescue for me, specifically these lyrics from Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls

"The best thing you've ever done for me

Is to help me take my life less seriously, it's only life after all

Well darkness has a hunger that's insatiable

And lightness has a call that's hard to hear"

I won't be joining you in that cesspool of bitching and yearning for the greener grass, it's not greener grass it's just a different shade of green. If you want my help or simply need someone to talk to...I'm your man, but I won't be joining you down there save to help you out if you so wish.

For my friends going through things tough, seen or unseen, remember that joy will come. It'll be a matter of time and effort, it won't always be easy or just, but it will come..if you decide that you want it to come. Choose to be happy. I do and despite the crap ass crap that sometimes happens I am a happier person today than yesterday...will you join me?

Ciao
D