STORYTIME TAPESTRY

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Special Treat ??“ Carol Roach

Oct 26, 2005? 

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Joyful Day

Carol Roach

July 2005

Today I scatter the joy - what beautiful words. I have never felt these words so profoundly as I do today ??“ this day, not yesterday, not tomorrow but this day.? 

Why are these words so profound, so personal, and so meaningful for me today? Why is today any different from any other?

Many psychologists and psychiatrists, including Dr. Milton Erickson, whom I respect tremendously state, to fully understand the depths of one emotion, you must feel the depths of its polar opposite.?  In other words, if you are to truly appreciate joy, you must have felt sorrow etc. This idea is widespread among some religions as well.?  Last night at my kabala lesson we came across the same context in relation to the human condition.

In my case, I have had a very bad three weeks fraught with both psychological and physical stress. I had to make the very painful decision to cut certain people out of my life because they are not a positive influence in my life at this time.? 

I have been suffering from the effects of a record breaking, extremely hot and humid summer never before seen in Eastern Canada. The heat was so bad, I did not go out of my house at all. I do not have air conditioning.?  The fans only served to re-circulate hot disgusting air.?  I was not able to sleep at night.?  My eternal body thermostat was thrown out of whack. No sooner did one heat wave end but another began.? 

My circadian rhyme was off balance. I was tired during the day and restless at night.?  As if that was not enough, I woke up six days ago in extreme pain.?  I had been sleeping on my left side, something I never do.?  I always sleep on my stomach.?  The pain radiated down the left side of my body for three days.?  I could barely sit. The pain was so bad, I could not sleep on my stomach at night and so I had to sleep on my right side.?  As a result the pain simply shifted sides as I did.?  This time the pain was even more intense.?  I could not lie down at all.?  I sat up on the coach and tried to doze off.

I was sleeping for only two hours at a time. I was still putting out my newsletter faithfully and keeping up my role as mentor and counselor to a few people I have been working with for awhile now.?  The pain was worst than any pain I have ever experienced in my life, I was sleep deprived and mentally as well as physically exhausted.? 

Today I woke up fresh, no pain, and finally having a complete night??™s sleep.?  The difference I felt can best be described by first walking out of a sauna bath and jumping into an ice cold mountain stream.? 

On the psychological side, my mind is fresh, alert, and my heart is happy once more.?  I truly feel joy as I have never felt it before.?  I rejoice in the fact that I am pain free. I am thankful that I had a great night??™s sleep.?  I am so pleased this day is beautiful, not hot or humid.?  A gentle refreshing breeze blows through my window and engulfs my soul.?  My heart is over flowing with joy; wonderful joy.

There is so much joy I cannot keep it to myself.?  I scatter the joy by singing.?  I love singing.? 

I scatter the joy by doing some much needed housework.?  I was not physically able to do it before.?  I am thankful today that I can!

I scatter the joy by taking a shower and washing my hair ??“ oh to simply bask in the moment; not worrying about falling and further injuring myself.?  It is amazing how we take these wonderful experiences such as being physically capable of taking a shower for granted.? 

I scatter the joy by writing this piece; my writing; my life??™s passion. While in pain was not in a place where I could be creative.?  My mind was pre-occupied and my creative juices were put on hold until now.?  Today I am so happy to scatter the joy by being able to share my life experiences with you.

I scatter the joy by making a plan for this evening.?  I will connect with a friend I have not spoken to in a long time.?  Perhaps I might connect with two or three over the telephone. I will scatter the joy by letting them know just how important they are to me and how much I truly care for them.

I scatter the joy by holding on to this very euphoric moment.?  I choose not to let a single negative thought ruin this wonderful day!

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Carol Roach

winterose@videotron.ca

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A Native of Montreal, Quebec, Carol is a graduate of Concordia, and McGill University.?  She holds a bachelor in psychology and a Masters in counselling psychology.?  Carol Roach is a published writer and newsletter editor.?  You can purchase her book: Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey at www.publishamerica.com, or www.amazon.com.?  You can also go to your local bookstore and order it there as well.?  Carol??™s second book: Angels Watching Over is currently looking for a home. Stay tuned for details. ? 

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If you are interested in other stories feel free to join her newsletter: Storytime Tapestry at: http://subs.zinester.com/98907 , or email her directly at winterose@videotron.ca and she will be glad to accommodate you.?  Carol enjoys email and responds to every inquiry.