The ninth in our ten-part series, An Espresso of Breath – exploring the still moments between inhale and exhale, between sip and soul.
Joy: Now
Breathing. Brewing. Moments. Momentum. Peace. Joy. Yes, joy.
I’m aware. Perhaps, this one takes a little longer to brew inside of you. It isn’t an easy fill. But, just like practicing the “God” shot? It is worth the sweet moments of it.
Somehow and somewhere along the way, for so many of us, joy became suspect – too playful, too frivolous, too much. We second-guess it, shove it out, justify it, hide it, and even apologize for it. When we do experience it, guilt often follows: “Do I really deserve that?”
Now: Joy. Just breathe out and in. A beautiful thing occurs when you breathe into this moment: joy refuses to stay away. Real joy – the kind that isn’t about right, perfect, or done, the kind that isn’t about accolades, awards, or achievements.
Real joy – the kind that is in the now of this very moment, the kind when your heart remembers its own rhythm and your soul turns into your own light, the kind made of coming home to your real inner being.
This kind of joy? It so often shows itself in small, yet magnificent ways – in that simple, yet exquisite way. Breathe now: the rising of the orange, pink, and purple sun in the early morning dawn; the snuggling in of a precious furry baby; the wafting of vanilla, of cinnamon or nutmeg; the glimmer of bright light or a dancing shadow; those giggles that bubble out of nowhere and just can’t be contained; the crackling of logs burning in a bonfire; that favorite, cozy sweater; the warm embrace of an old friend; the first taste of a fresh donut with your brew; the anticipation of your favorite song as you hit ‘play;’ the beauty of water flowing freely in a path of its own; that sustained eye contact with someone who ‘just knows.’
Perhaps, joy swells now in the sudden sweetness of just being exactly where you are. Or, in the crafting of that “God” shot – rare and so perfect – it is as if heaven leans into to sip with you. Yes, smile now. That is something to really be joyous in.
All in a moment – joy is not only possible, it is here now. Here now inside of breathing, inside of brewing, inside of being.
Breathe Out Now.
Just breathe all the way out and feel the joy of releasing and emptying in order to fill.
Breathe In Now.
Just breathe all the way in and feel the joy that is all yours for the moment, and the next one, too.
In Breath and Being, Heidi
— Written by Heidi M. Weiker, Sister, Storyteller, and Voice of Stillness at Espresso Momenti