Count It All Joy

I was born into a beautiful family. A one of a kind mother, a father who has a heart bigger than anyone I know, two older brothers; my personal superheros, and later on in life, a wonderfully goofy sister in law. Through many trials and tragic losses my family has remained the strongest, most joyful group of people I have ever met. They surrounded me with love that has no limits, and still continue to do so today, as they teach me to provide this immense love for others. I believe that my family was placed together on this earth so that we could show the world what unstoppable joy and passion for life looks like, despite the bumps in the road. My siblings and I are fortunate enough to have a dad who brought us up with one specific motto that would come to teach us how to possibly change the small corner of the world we live in: “Count it all joy”. I can remember specific times when my family has used this saying. Some of my favorites being when an entire container of something yucky ends up in someone’s lap, “Count it all joy!” Uh oh, I failed my math test again, “Count it all joy!”. In both of these situations and many others like it we have a good laugh, and move on with courage and motivation to try again. These moments have become some of my most favorite memories that stick with me and uplift me in the not-so-joyful times. The ability to take on life with an optimistic point of view at all times has changed the way I treat both others and myself. On a more serious note, this saying has helped me and my family through some of the heaviest greif, and unforgivable pain. When faced head on with the pain and weight of the world my family has overcome in the most incredible, and powerful ways. They have taught me the importance of prayer, and how to use this in order to find that glimpse of hope needed to move forward. Being able to find joy in these times, and being surrounded by a family who is willing to give me a piece of their joy when I have seemed to lose my own is one the most amazing, and encouraging feelings I have yet to find in my lifetime. This motto, while being incredible and opening up so many doors in my life has put me to the test. I am often times put into situations that I would rather not label joyful. It takes a lot of strength and courage to find happiness in times that, at the moment, seem to be nothing but sadness, anger, and anxiety. But finding the joy, even a tiny spec of it, in times of trouble results in a flicker of hope, and eventually, over time, a glimmer of positivity in the midst of the darkness. With the heaviest of hearts, we still remind each other to find the joy. After all, we still have each other, and that is enough.

Photo on Foter.com