The Optimism

You can feel it in the air and it is almost electric.  It is everywhere you go.  What is it? It is optimism.  The optimism of this year, 2018 to be exact. So many of my friends, most everyone I know, has had a really hard couple of years. 2016 and 2017 were terrible.  And, at the risk of sounding brash and trashy – those years can suck it.

Now everyone I know is saying how great this year is and will be.  Every one I talk to has said how great it is, how many great things are happening, and how many exciting things are in the pipeline for later in the year.

And it is a breath of fresh air.  After everyone was seemingly stuck in the muck and mire of the past few years, this optimism is what is needed.  There is new energy, there is excitement, there  are smiles and plans being made.  Everyone is ready, we have all had enough. And it is great to hear the good news from all my friends.  It is wonderful to share good news.

It is almost impossible to describe the energy, or the feeling of joy that comes from seeing and hearing my friends and loved ones tell me their good news. Business is exploding, opportunities are plentiful, ideas are flowing, plans are being made, love is blooming, and so much more.  And it is time.  After many hard times, it is time for the winds of change.

I remember many years ago the energy was very similar. Many people, myself included, felt an optimism about the world, life and the future.  We felt that anything was possible. It was recognizing the light after the dark. It was knowing that everything is cyclical, so the good was on it’s way.

So pop the champagne, because it is here.  And more is coming.

 

 

The Joy

“Be strong, Ada. I have tremendous respect for you as one of the most deeply honest and loving people I have ever met. I know those traits, and a few well-chosen friends, will lead you back to joy soon enough.”

I recieved this message not quite a year ago from someone I had not heard from in a very long time. This person could always read my mood and what kind of day I had within 3 seconds of seeing me.

And at the time I read the message, I cried. Because it was such a beautiful message of encouragement and hope, but also because joy seemd so far away. I could not even imagine how, when or where the joy might return. I seemed light years away.

When I would get discouraged, overwhelmed and lost, I would read that message and just hold on and pray. Pray so hard through the tears and beg for the joy.

And finally, the joy is here, not just over the horizon or around the corner, but at my feet, close enough to touch. I can see it, smell it, feel ot, taste it. After hundreds of prayers, thousands of baby steps and millions of heart beats, I feel joy bubbling up from eceey part of me. Still very aware of the darkenss, and I still have my moments, but I know I never have to go through anything like that again.

So thank you for that message, friend. And you were right. While life isn’t perfect, it is joyful. And it is getting better every minute.

“I have a heart full of deep contentment, and joy. So much joy. I know this is all sappy but after the past two years I get to have this and I get to enjoy this.”