Joy In Every Season

My Dear Friend Jordan Rich of Boston’s WBZ radio asked me to contribute a poem to the “For the Children” booklet to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital. He asked me to write a poem which celebrates children. My cousins used to tell me when I was growing up that I was too serious and that I should be more ‘like a child’. Well, having had polio and then going through innumerable traumatic events, it’s difficult to not take life seriously. But, as Tony Robbins said, “It’s never too late to have a happy childhood”. Through my gift of poetry and through my choices, I can now tap into the childlike joy inside myself – through expressing the joy of gratitude, through the joy of giving and through the sheer joy of just being alive. I feel the joy after coming through a particularly challenging time. I feel the joy of anticipation as I allow my imagination to run free and create my life. I feel the joy in music. I feel the joy in surprises. I feel the joy of getting a Christmas card in the mail. I feel the joy in creating a wonderful holiday card

With the holiday season upon us and just a week away, the focus is on feeling joy but what happens on January 1st 2010? Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza are over. The gifts are unwrapped, the food has been consumed, the rush is over. There’s usually a holiday hangover of one kind or another. This year, why not try something different? Rather than putting all of your joy eggs in one basket at one time of year, why not begin practicing joy every day in every season. Find what makes your heart sing. Release your worries to God. Begin to look at your glass as half full instead of half empty and somebody drank my half. Begin to imagine what you would like to have happen in your life in 2010 and begin by giving thanks for all the blessings of 2009. Begin by giving thanks that you have a computer on which you can read my inspiring article. Give thanks that you met someone who has overcome so many challenges (yup that’s me). Smile please — see aren’t you already feeling joyful. Focus on the unlimited possibilities rather than the limitations of current circumstances. As you imagine – don’t just focus on the external world but focus on creating a more peaceful, joyful, grateful and patient inner state of being.

Here is a ‘teaser’ from the “For the Children” booklet. All proceeds benefit Children’s Hospital. It is overflowing with poetry, inspiration, recipes and comes from the heart of Jordan Rich.

Joy In Every Season
Angels in new fallen snow
Chasing seagulls on the beach
Splashing in the springtime rain
Falling leaves just out of reach
Eyes closed to taste first snowflakes
Building castles in the air
Coaxing earthworms out of mud
Gathering acorns for all to share.
Unbridled joy in every season
Children cherish every day
Their senses tickled and delighted
As nature moves along her way.

My holiday wish for you is that you experience joy in every season and be thankful for all that is and all that is yet to be!

Mary McManus, Boston Marathon finisher, polio and post polio survivor is the author of