Blogrimage Day 1: Joy

So I am jumping in on this a little late, but I'm going to try it anyhow. Last year I started writing on beauty, but it failed as quickly as I got started. I tend to get my mind so wrapped into what I'm writing about, that I forget to write and then run out of time! So as a verbose person, I will attempt to keep my blogs short, to the point and simple. I really want to get into the habit of writing and expressing my thoughts, ideas and opinions. Maybe someday I really will "blog." For now, the blogrimage inspires!

I laugh. A lot. And loud. Anyone who knows me, knows this about me. In many of the places I have worked I have had coworkers comment about my laugh and how they always know where I am when they hear my laugh. All through my life, in fact, there have been people who have commented on my laugh: whether it be loud, amusing, delightful, annoying or just flat out irritating, I've heard it all. I went through a season in my life where I was easily hurt by people and was easily wounded when people commented on my laugh. It led me to consciously make an effort not to laugh. Not an easy thing - and not a good thing by any means. I finally came out of that and learned to recognize that my laughter is part of me and who I was made to be, though there are still times it bruises when people mention it.

It's a strange thing, laughter. What is it that makes us feel so good in side to simply laugh? I remember so many times with my sister getting into hysterical laughing fits and crying out of the joy of ... even nothing! Some of the most amazing times of my life I have enjoyed while laughing. I find the times I feel the most at ease and satisfied with my life is when I'm laughing or having a smile on my face. But why? In the same way, laughter can also be repulsive to some - even offensive. What is it about laughter ... about joy???

I am dedicating this blogrimage to "joy" - happiness, smiling, laughter, radiance, joyfulness, euphoric-ness, beaming-ness, jumping-over-the-moon-ness ... all of it. It may mean a discussion on something I've experiences, something that has brought me joy, something that has made others laugh, or just the general nature of the state of "being happy." Wherever it takes me, I am excited. This is something I've wanted to understand and study for a while now. So what really IS it about joy? I can't wait to find out