Misery and Joy

It is a mystery to me sometimes how misery and joy can co-exist, and how joy, or happiness, can reduce one to tears.  There is so much of both misery and joy in life; the trick is to never completely lose the awareness of all one's blessings.

I know, I know, nauseatingly Pollyanna-ish statement; sorry. But it is one of my deepest beliefs, cloying or not.

Today a few simple e-mails reminded me of all I have to be grateful for, the new human connections I have formed, a reminder of the positive difference I can make in a human life, and the positive difference others can make in mine.

This is all very vague intentionally; specificity will blow anonymity.  But to say that my life has been enriched by new connections, new acquaintanceships, new community over the last several years, would be an ungrateful understatement, and the last thing I want to be is ungrateful.  So, as always, thanks God, and please keep sticking with me when I hit the rough spots.  Somehow, the line in the hymn comes to mind:  "I once was lost, but now am found" . . . I am continually getting lost, and thank God, continually getting found.