The theme of this third week of Advent is anticipating and experiencing joy. These days, joy is frequently frightened away by the turmoil around us – in our world, our country, even with friends and family. Cynically, joy is relegated to some fantastical fairytale. We find it tempting to agree with Herman Melville: “There are certain queer times and occasions in this strange mixed affair we call life when a person takes the whole universe for a vast practical joke.”
Arthur Schopenhauer said: “The longer you live, the more you realize that suffering is the rule, not the exception.” Life is in fact punctuated by unhappiness. History is a dossier of power and greed, producing fear and despair. Reflecting on the religions and philosophies of the world it is clear that coping with the harshness of the world is one of their central concerns – light and hope are their defenses against the gloom – the winter seasons of life.
Camus wrote: “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there lays within me an invincible summer.” While reflecting on his often troubled life he discovered that all was not winter, there were glimmers of summer. That is our path to finding joy.
It is then, in light and hope that we find the peace that leads to joy. It is in learning contentment and gratitude, connecting with others, focusing on whatever good we can find, as opposed to the bogey man of oppression and fear, that cultivates joy. For in the end, much of joy is our own choice of what we think about, in whatever situation we may find ourselves.
“It is not joy that makes us grateful. It is gratefulness that makes us joyful.” David Steindl-Rast.
These days just a bit less of the news and some considering of all we have to be grateful for brings us a bit less despair, gives some hope and peace, which helps with finding joy. What brings you joy these day?
theTravelsketcher 
As I read this, I am home with covid. I’ve had periods of feeling like I’m missing out on holiday things. But today I’m reflecting on how having a break from all the busyness is a gift. Just being in my home drinking my tea listening to beautiful music, brings me closer to the real joy of the season. Terri
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Terri, thank you so much for the nice thoughts and words. It helps that we find joy in the hope we have in our faith.
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Waking up every morning
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Very true, we need the little reminders.
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Way back as a teenager loved to sit back and try to make sense of Albert Camus . . . harking back I don’t think I would have survived parts of my life if I also did not feel that ‘invincible summer’ . . .
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Yes, so true.
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Terry – I reposted this to a number of friends . . . especially after the racist Hannukah attack in Bondi a few days back Australia is somewhat reeling as to the realities in life . . .
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And I send all my warm thoughts. I hate all of this, so know you have supportive folks up here.
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Beautiful sketch and post. What brings me joy these days? Signs of summer, my favourite season of the year.
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You strike me as people who find joy in life, good for you.
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We do try!
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Joy comes to me when I value my needs over my wants.
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Those things we think we need, but don’t, can sure cause stress
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A perspective to remember – and perfect quotes. I think age also gives us this reflection as we are on our downward slopes. And, along with age comes experience – we know the truth of “plus ca change, plus c’est le meme chose” – it just varies but we can see our patterns, those of others, those of the past in parallel with the present. Yet, inside us, we must choose to find the joy and happiness that can be so overshadowed by external, larger sources. Friends, family, a flower can all bring us gratitude and appreciation. When we lose these, we lose it all.
BTW, I love this painting!
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Thanks so much and oui, things do stay the same. Thank you about the painting, if you would like a printable copy let me know.
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