Finding Joy

"In the most subtle of things, may you find real joy in living." -Morgan Harper Nichols

While spending time with these boys in India, they taught me something about joy- it is not based on one's circumstances but what you set your focus on. They decided to set their focus on the subtle things, maybe what one could describe as the ordinary moments. Every day spent with them, it was rare to not find one smiling, laughing, or sharing whatever they had. This clip shows the joy they would find in a song or a car ride or possibly even just sharing this moment with us. They chose joy. When we were together, that was enough.

Another time in a day where we had free time, some of the boys and I were playing badminton in an old auditorium. They were elated to be able to play. Some of these boys have been through more hardship than others will experience probably their entire lives, and yet they mastered the art of finding joy in the most ordinary moments. I still have a keepsake of a plastic lavender-colored flower a boy named Peter had found in that auditorium floor as we swept aside some of the debris on the floor of this unused auditorium/make-shift badminton court. This flower is a symbol of their undeniable joy, which they are able to spread just through their smiles.

Above any material thing we could have brought them, they were the happiest with quality time. Everyone has the capability to give quality time to a loved one or someone in need; therefore everyone has the capability to find joy.