The source of our joy

Nafha Maani Ebrahimi

What you need to know:

It is important to listen to people who need some moral support, one may be able to help off-load some of the burden on their shoulders, maybe giving good advice or lending a helping hand.

There are days when one wakes up and there is this feeling that its not going to be a good day. It is interesting that this feeling can set the mood for the whole day, one where everything can go wrong.
With decades of experience in my bag, I can confirm that we can make or break that day with our own conduct. A positive attitude will for sure come to our aid, especially when circumstances of that day are not favourable, while these conditions are not in our hand, our attitude is.

The most important outcome is the reflection of our joy on others, family, friends and colleagues at work. They say laughter is contagious, so are good vibes and positive energy. How many times have you tried to run away from a situation where someone was nagging relentlessly about something? How often did you divert your path not to meet a colleague who only reflects a negative attitude?
It is important to listen to people who need some moral support, one may be able to help off-load some of the burden on their shoulders, maybe giving good advice or lending a helping hand. However, psychologists advice that this should not become a norm, and that we must all learn to deal with our issues rather than off-loading them on other people, and who knows, they may have their own burdens of life.

While, to a certain degree, I agree with this, I think we should continue to go out of our way to help those who genuinely need help, how else can we live as one human family? One of my favourite quotes, that is quite therapeutic and soothing, is found in a compilation of the Baha’i Faith, called the Hidden Words: “O Son of Man, Rejoice in the gladness of thine heart, that thou mayest be worthy to meet Me and mirror forth My beauty”.

With these words, my search for sources of joy comes to a very interesting find, search not far, it is much closer: in my own heart! Disappointments and let downs can come form the closest people, the same person who is the source of my happiness today, can cause me sadness at some point, material joy can go away, but my heart is with me. Working on one’s spiritual capacity, service to humanity and contentment are the heart’s joys plus many more.