What is joy?

Has this ever happened to you? That you forget what brings “joy” to you? And what it means for you to actively choose to feel “joy”? 

I was pondering over this feeling of peace and joy that I have this morning. It is wonderful!  And I noticed that I have allowed other feelings to rise up  on occassion recently, and that I was not consciously taking a choice on the thoughts I want to give time and space to in myself – my “being”.   
You know those thoughts, too, don’t you? Those thoughts of doubt or confusion  that give rise to feelings that can cause you to question things that- in all reality – do not need to be questioned.  It is a choice, to put the knowledge and experience I have “of being me” into action. I know what makes me feel whole. I know I cannot be anyone else other than who I am . I know “I am enough” because I know I will never be perfect and that who and what I am right now is good enough for now. Because I know I am going to be a different person tomorrow than I was yesterday, because of the experiences I am making today.  That is why it is important to be aware of the choices I take today.  

I discovered – once again – that “Joy” can be created. But first, I have to be aware of what it is that gives me joy.  And I can create joy by doing more of that. And to make sure I remember what that is,  I can write those things down in my journal,  so that when a time comes up and I think I am at loss for a choice, I can go back and reread what I wrote. Then, all I have to do is to choose to realign myself with that which gives me joy and fuels my inner strength.

Some of things that gave me joy this weekend: 
I spent time with my horse, grooming him, riding him, then feeling how his muscles were working under me, when I was in the saddle; taking in the rhythm of the sound of his hooves when we were out on the trail in the woods. I didn’t feel joy or worry or anything … I just “was”. 
I walked the dogs in the woods and they played around in a frog pond. They were having the time of their lives splashing around in that green water and it was just a joy to watch them have fun. It wasn’t until I was back at my car that I wondered how I was going to get the three of us back home without them ruining the back with the smell of their soggy wet dog fur. (We did it!)
I spent hours at a party with old friends (both in age and in number of years we have known each other!) and while we were talking, it was as if we were able to pick up the conversation (and the relationship) right where we had left off. And for some, that was  2-, 5- , 10- or even 15 years ago.

Getting lost in the moment is what I discovered is the key to joy.
Being aware that I have a choice -right now- to decide what I will do, or will not do, and that this means that this choice will determine my future moments of joy.  

I can and I do create moments of joy. I am enough.