It is the day before Thanksgiving and I find myself reflecting on what I am most thankful for in my life. I am most thankful for shared moments of joy. They happen everyday and connect all of us in an undefined way. A moment of joy is hard to define, but it happens when something small done by you or another brings a smile to your face and laughter to your heart.
At home with my family shared moments of joy are plentiful. A good morning hug, a thought or word spoken at the same time, a joke shared, a story told about a day at work or school, or a grateful smile for just being you.
Throughout the day at the Woodson Art Museum, a shared moment of joy can be showing up at work dressed the same as a colleague and agreeing that great minds think alike. A group of colleagues wishing someone a happy birthday in a special way that brings joy to everyone involved. A smile shared with someone I know or a stranger I pass in the gallery. A child discovers something in Art Park and his or her unguarded laughter warms the heart. The look a parent shares with their child as they work together on an art project during Toddler Tuesday. The pride children have as they tell me about the artwork they created during an Art Buddies program. Witnessing the outright laughter and joy as a group of kindergarten children are introduced to freeform chenille stem sculpture.
I am thankful for having the ability to find joy in small moments and the wisdom to know these moments add up to a lifetime of happiness. I thank those who have touched my life because they have created enough moments of joy to cushion some of life’s disappointments. As I reflect on my experiences, I realize life doesn’t need to be perfect to be truly joyous.
