Joy
The theme for this episode is joy.
If you liked what you heard, share it with a friend. Thanks for listening. See you on your next visit to the pond.
My Haiku & Reflections
Drifting butterfly
Visit to the river’s side
Moving at life’s pace
I once heard joy described as something akin to farming. It’s something you have to cultivate and work at on a regular basis for it to bloom and bare fruit. In other words, joy can happen spontaneously, but it can also be created.
I’ve found that cultivating joy is a mindfulness practice. It’s being present, noticing big and small things with curiosity and without judgment.
Lately, I’ve been finding joy in taking mindful walks where I observe nature. To my fortune, most of these walks have taken place in Chiang Mai, Thailand where there is an abundance of nature, even within the city. There are plenty of butterflies, geckos, frogs, snakes, lizards, trees, bushes, and flowers.
As I walk I observe these creatures going about their day. Butterflies flutter about. Geckos perch on walls, hunting for their next snack. And plants reach for the sunshine.
It’s a pleasant reminder of how life is everywhere. And that joy can be found everywhere. These moments are free for the taking, no bank account or credit card required, we just have to remember to slow down and take note of them.
This seems especially true when you consider our own short-lived lives. We see the butterfly as having a short existence, but so too does Earth see us as having a short existence. Aiming to cultivate joy as often as possible will make this short existence feel like an eternity.
That’s the lesson I take from this haiku. I’d love to hear how you cultivate joy in your daily life. Send your thoughts to thehaikupond (at) gmail (dot) com.
Featured Haiku & PoetsFrom David Thorndale on IG as davidthorndale: yellow umbrella discovering so many wonderful puddle
From Zahra Mughis on TW as ZahraScribbles & IG as instalogbyzahra: retro beats remembering how we laughed
From Mona Bedi: reunion the way you touch my scars
From Lisbeth Ho on Facebook as Elisabeth Holidaya: sit at mom’s lap gazing at the full moon a heart warmth
From Staci b on IG as staciinyourpocket: Give way to chaos. Find the magic in the mess. Lean forward in joy.
From Kati Mohr on IG as pi.and.anne: the little bare-bum scoops water with its shoes spills water with its shoes
From Haiku Nocturnal on Twitter as HaikuNocturnal: Your beautiful curse, Only you can’t see your smile; But I can share mine
From Linda Hawkins on TW as lindamayhawkins: Everyone is fed Supply is manifested Grateful hearts applaud
From Charissa Hooyman on TW as CharissaHooyman: A tiny body Born of sweetness and beauty Innocence and love
From Christina Chin at haikuzyg.blogspot.com: so much laughter old schoolmates gather in zoom.
From Michele Wong on TW as meaning_filled: children are good fruit with glassy eyes & rhyming songs skies of laughing kites
From Mark Hitri on TW as HitriMark & on IG as the_cellopoet: it is a true joy to plant a tree in who’s shade you will never sit
From Linda M. Crate on Twitter as thysilverdoe & on IG as authorlindamcrate: as the chaos dies the warmth of love circles close friendship saves her.
From Foal Poetry on IG as foalpoetry: You will never know No words could ever express what you mean to me
From Melody Wang on TW & IG as MelodyOfMusings: alluring soundbath accompanies me on this meditative path
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