The only formula you need

This is a scary post. I am conscious of my inner cynic trying to shut me down. But honestly, if I want to write about joy, do I need to do it with a pseudonym?

One of the main go-to guys for Joy quotes is probably Rumi. I like them all but this one fits nicely right now. “Ever since happiness heard your name, it has been running through the streets trying to find you”.

Let me share a gripe first to put me at ease. Here is a good one.. what to do? The water heater stopped working. It is in the tinyhouse and my tenant now has to shower in the gym, dirty plates piled high in her sink. Her patience is inspiring. My guilt is wrenching. And in my wisdom, I positioned the tankless water heater inside the wall, framed nicely with drywall. So, I have to cut it out, check the fuses, not figure it out, buy another one, replace it, restore the wall frame. Well it is worth a gripe. Especially as the 5-year warrantee that was filed carefully last year, so carefully that I couldn’t find it.

Now that I am warmed up, about Joy.

Switching here to my pseudonym. These darkening, rainy days that usually annoy me because they are so darn short, are actually delighting me. I am sleeping more. That is good. I am dancing much more. That is great. I am working with more beloved humans, fewer hours. That is awesome. I have all my faculties nicely oiled. That is fabulous. I have friends. That is love. I have enough. That is peaceful.

So for the moment, yes, yes .. this too shall pass.. but for the moment, this human is having an unfair helping of joy. And the key maybe this. Yes, it is wonderfully woowoo, but as the pragmatists would say, until it stops working for you, it is true. Still working for me. Still true. This is the proven formula. J = A x P.

Joy = Action x Presence
Curious? So the magic formula only works when you know about it, which is why I need you to pay attention. Write it down on that memory stone in your pocket. If you try it and it doesn’t work, money back guaranteed. Just don't loose the memory stone.

Joy (that little upward curl in the corners of your lips) = Action (doing stuff, all your normal stuff, say..fixing the drywall) x Presence (noticing how wonderfully my hand works this drywall blade, or the tingling in my typing fingers). Finally, touch the stone to confirm that this formula is scienificintly proven.