I think the beauty of twinkle lights is a perfect metaphor for joy.
Joy is not a constant. It comes to us in moments – often ordinary moments. Sometimes we miss out on the bursts of joy because we’re too busy chasing down the extraordinary moments. Other times we’re so afraid of the dark that we don’t dare let ourselves enjoy the light. A joyful life is not a floodlight of joy. That would eventually become unbearable. I believe a joyful life is made up of joyful moments gracefully strung together by trust, gratitude, and inspiration.
– Brene Brown
I am admittedly a Brene Brown fan and have read several of her books. I especially like this quote and have it hanging on the wall over my computer. And I have found myself thinking about her words this holiday season and how it applies to the work we do here at Cancer Patient Services.
For several years now I have spoken to the staff and board about helping our clients and caregivers regain joy in their lives. Hearing the words “you have cancer” is one of the quickest ways of sucking joy out of our life’s vision. Even with all the medical advances and the deaths from cancer declining, getting a cancer diagnosis is one of the most frightening events that can happen to a family. So talking about joy and cancer patients could sound a bit absurd. And honestly, anyone that knows me well knows that I can be a bit absurd…
I agree, however, with Brene Brown when she mentions that “Joy is not a constant. It comes to us in moments – often ordinary moments.” I truly believe joy is a central to our mission at CPS. We don’t expect cancer patients to be constantly or continually joyful, but our goal is to have cancer patients and their families experience moments of joy. So if we can take away the burden of dealing with health insurance paperwork or provide much needed nutrition in the form of Ensure or Boost, then hopefully our clients can have the opportunity to enjoy a joyful moment.
So as we move through this holiday season, I would like to wish all of you the opportunity to experience “Bursts of Joy” with those around you.
Life is not a race; find joy in the journey.
-Carol
Joy is not a constant. It comes to us in moments – often ordinary moments. Sometimes we miss out on the bursts of joy because we’re too busy chasing down the extraordinary moments. Other times we’re so afraid of the dark that we don’t dare let ourselves enjoy the light. A joyful life is not a floodlight of joy. That would eventually become unbearable. I believe a joyful life is made up of joyful moments gracefully strung together by trust, gratitude, and inspiration.
– Brene Brown
I am admittedly a Brene Brown fan and have read several of her books. I especially like this quote and have it hanging on the wall over my computer. And I have found myself thinking about her words this holiday season and how it applies to the work we do here at Cancer Patient Services.
For several years now I have spoken to the staff and board about helping our clients and caregivers regain joy in their lives. Hearing the words “you have cancer” is one of the quickest ways of sucking joy out of our life’s vision. Even with all the medical advances and the deaths from cancer declining, getting a cancer diagnosis is one of the most frightening events that can happen to a family. So talking about joy and cancer patients could sound a bit absurd. And honestly, anyone that knows me well knows that I can be a bit absurd…
I agree, however, with Brene Brown when she mentions that “Joy is not a constant. It comes to us in moments – often ordinary moments.” I truly believe joy is a central to our mission at CPS. We don’t expect cancer patients to be constantly or continually joyful, but our goal is to have cancer patients and their families experience moments of joy. So if we can take away the burden of dealing with health insurance paperwork or provide much needed nutrition in the form of Ensure or Boost, then hopefully our clients can have the opportunity to enjoy a joyful moment.
So as we move through this holiday season, I would like to wish all of you the opportunity to experience “Bursts of Joy” with those around you.
Life is not a race; find joy in the journey.
-Carol
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