Greetings!

Hello Joy Spreaders. I'm the lucky man in the Joy Fairy's home and heart. Most people call me Jim, but she gets away with Angel Boy.

First of all, let me say a big hearty thanks for all the kind words, congratulations, gifts, and general acceptance into the "joy family". I know why The Joy Fairy loves her work. Now, on to the joy letter. I have big shoes to fill.

 Where is that space within us that allows us to register joy? It is of course our "Joy box". Let me explain. 

We are all born with a "joybox". Some experts say we are able to experience "Joy" before birth. As infants, we smile and giggle at small delights. Comfort comes easily, when we are young. Yet it's easy to forget. 

I imagine a container within that houses all the joy I could ever need. Whenever I open the box - Oh great wonder, Joy is mine. It is extremely easy when we are young to open up to this joy. Yet I have come to understand that this "joybox" has a Siamese twin. Co-joined is another container of the same size. This "box" houses assumptions, worries and fear. 

The discovery I want to share is that the two boxes have only ONE lid. Only one can be opened at a time. So I am the one who chooses to unleash either the joy or the worries & fears.

There is no amount of bad news, negativity, or disappointment that can take away the joy. It still resides within. Even when my circumstances are not immediately gratifying or pleasurable, I am still capable of opening the
"joybox".

Conversely, no matter how good or fortunate my circumstances, if I choose to worry and make assumptions based upon fear, I cannot find the joy.

What each one of us has to decide is what side of the box am I going to open? What do I allow to fill me? The choice is mine, mine,- all mine. 

I know on which days life has more enjoyment and I feel much better. Can you guess which box I choose to open?

Let me challenge you to Open the "JOYBOX".  

Words to ponder:

 There's a wonder in the way we're always free, 

to change the world by changing how we see.
 - Cynki Craven