Hello Joyous Reader:

“AAAAHHHHHHHHH….”

I heard her coming before I saw her.  Her voice rang out over the sound of crashing waves as she ran past me down the beach.  Without breaking her stride, she dropped her towel, then peeled off her cover-up and shed her flip flops one by one leaving a bread crumb-like trail behind her as she flung herself into the ocean.  Arms open wide as if to embrace the entire world, she jumped and laughed and let herself be knocked over by the waves as they rolled to shore. 

As I watched her, I realized I was grinning from ear to ear, taken in by her obvious joy of playing with the waves.  Her exuberance was more like a child than the grown up, responsible and sensible woman that she portrayed most of her days.  My heart felt light just to watch her. 

Then I suddenly noticed a man standing next to my lounge chair.  He put down the display board he was carrying, laden with silver necklaces, bracelets and earrings.  Like the other Mexican beach vendors, he no doubt had been intending to talk me into buying something when his attention was deterred by a woman whooping for joy as she galloped into the ocean.

He turned to me, a look of amazement on his face.  Pushing his hat off his forehead, he pointed to the woman dancing with the surf and said something to me in Spanish. 

I shrugged and grinned back at him.  “Happy?” I said.  Then we both laughed together as we watched.  He turned to pick up his wares shaking his head slightly and still grinning, he walked off down the beach, watching her as he went. 

And that, my friends, is what happens when you are not afraid to express your joy!

You bring strangers together.

You ignite joy in others around you.

You make the world a more joyful place!

Love,