Our greatest joy.

I’m still less than a quarter of the way through The Book of Joy, but maybe that’s precisely because there’s so much goodness in there that needs to be digested.

Every chapter has something to offer (and a book review is due), but the chapter that’s really impacted me lately is the one called “Our Greatest Joy.” In this chapter, the Archbishop Desmond Tutu says, “ultimately our greatest joy is when we seek to do good for others.”

Pause and reflect.

The book goes on to describe a “virtuous cycle” — “The more we turn toward others, the more joy we experience, and the more joy we experience, the more we can bring joy we can bring to others.”

This past week I tried it out a couple times. Instead of focusing on me, me, me, I did what I could to help others. I feel comfortable, even good when I take care of myself, but when I made time to listen to a friend or help my mom or get a friend to the airport at the asscrack of dawn, I felt joy. Even on limited sleep.

I would suggest you try it, but only if you do it with a giving heart. Think of someone you want to see smile, take action, and then let me know if you get the joy you deserve.