Ctrl+ F: joy

A poem about coming back to joy again and again, oh and again

An ode to small joy and big joy and joy hiding in everything

The top left seat on the bus

Surrendering to the rain

The window seat that faces the countryside on the train

A cup of coffee made by someone who knows what they are doing

Slow mornings in bed

Dancing until your body is the music

Standing in a protest knowing that there are so many more people trying for a better world

Pen hitting paper and your hand flowing freely

A pair of jeans that feel like they were made for you

A shower where you have long enough to sing

Feeling ready to let someone in

Butter beans as a main and potatoes as an entree

A walk that makes you notice nature again

Time with your mum

Sitting still enough that you feel connected to the ground

A wood fire crackling

Hearing lyrics that perfectly describes something you are feeling

A book that you get so lost in that you forget about your phone

Your friend telling you they got the thing they wanted

Tea and biscuits to the sound of the rain

A long hug where your whole body softens

Sun on the small of your back

Holding a handstand long enough that you find peace upside down

A long walk on a sunny winters day

Dinner with your best friend over a wine and sharing plate

Falling asleep without a screen and  getting up without an alarm

Realising you have come this far

Being up to watch the sun rise

A kiss that makes you feel alive

A vintage treasure that you find

Standing at your friends weddings and knowing they found their person

Getting excited over the idea of meeting your person

A dog that’s happy to see you and a cat sitting in your lap

Being at a concert and realising you know all the words to a song

A run that recalibrates your brain

Holding someone’s hand until it gets so sweaty you have to pull away

Returning to an old hobby and your subconscious remembering it for you

Knowing that as long as our hearts hold more love than fear for we are capable of change

Feeling at home in your life again

Laying in the sea as the waves carry you

Helping a stranger in the street

Meeting your friends babies and seeing them reflected in eachother and realising you love them just as much

The first flowers of spring

Being on the beach to watch the sun set

Trusting that if there are enough people who will choose love over fear, it will always be okay

A baby that won’t stop smiling at you

Softening into the wind

Knowing that there are a million miracles happening right now even if you can’t see them

A hug with someone that loves you

The freedom of a plan free Saturday

Wiping pastry dust off your chin

Celebrating each others wins

An inner knowing that joy will always find its way back to you

If you know to look for it in everything