Joy Comes From A Deep Place

I left the city, and moved my young family into the country.

From smelly, noisy, fast London, to Coventry, then to a quiet, beautiful, secluded Welsh valley, surrounded by trees, hills, wildlife, the smells of the country; a wonderful, magical place.

I should have been happy, yes?

But looking out of the window, I cried.

I couldn’t see any of the beauty around me. All I could see was my lack of job and our dwindling finances, my stressed wife and our declining relationship, stressing over my studies to try and graduate.

That period taught me that if my heart was heavy and sad, then it makes no difference what the environment is on the outside of me – I won’t see it or benefit from it.

On the other hand, I have learned in recent years, that if my heart is light and grateful and positive and free and giving and peaceful,

then EVERYTHING is beautiful.

It is possible to see beauty and joy all around, in all of nature, in every situation.

What is it about British people – they insist on moaning about everything. Especially the weather. Even if it’s a good thing, somebody will say: Oh it won’t last.
Fortunately, I don’t surround myself with people like this anymore.

When I meet them, I always counter their negativity with my positivity.

My heart sings despite the weather. Joy doesn’t come from the outside, but from a deep place within.