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Walking under the stars at night. Reading a poem, a sentence, a word. Having an animal sitting beside me.
Apart from a few saints here or there maybe? When I was 40, my daughter was born. I don’t know if the rest of the world knows this, but that cataclysmic event rearranged the universe entirely. A vintage handbags melbourne much overused and battered word that doesn’t even begin to explain the oh so simple yet deeply difficult task of simply being.

At other times reaching, as we say, with the breeze on the beam, the bow and 85 tons of oak shouldering waves aside. We have to take care because there can be times when the wind and tides can teach us that without humility we will surely and deservedly get our arses kicked. Unlike most modern humans we often aren’t able to go where we want when we want. Sometimes we have to stand and get pelted by the wind and the rain but by negotiating and collaborating with Nature we can rediscover our place in the actual order of things. We may get to where we set out for, we may get to somewhere else.
I have never been so bitter, so angry, so despondent with the world these past few years.The other morning, after a particularly bleak visit to the social security office, I was sat on the bus home, forced to be patient with my anger and sadness. From the window I saw an older lady sat on a busted step in an old industrial park, an old golden retriever with a vet's cone around it's neck sat by her side, laughing on a video call to who knows who. We passed the local bus that transports the old and less able to where they want or need to be, and inside sat a solitary old man, in total and solemn dignity, and I wept again with joy. Joy at the abundance of life, at the warmth of it, and how it is all there to behold, if only I have the patience.

There is also an enormous amount of 'Weltschmerz'. What are people doing to each other? To animals, to our lovely planet?
But it’s spring already in south Victoria and despite the recent wild storms and sadness of damaged trees, the little birds are nesting again in my bush garden. The purest joy fills me as I watch a mother grey fantail sit on 3 tiny eggs in a nest resembling an icecream cone and perfectly shaped for her little body. I  do find the joy in my busy life, in the small things and gestures people could have. I also lead a full and privileged life, and I increasingly find joy in the little things. Sharing a favourite song with my teenage sons.
And they also help us to understand that loss is a natural part of life, and that there is nobody or nothing in particular to blame for loss, and that the way to get through these difficult times is to rage, and to mourn, and to accept, and to embrace life. Constantly during these past years we have been ground down by loss, and forgotten what joy is. The day begins with the remembering of tragedy, the first thought on waking is of our son, the final thought before sleep, and many days he fills the seconds and minutes and hours in between too. Except when we are distracted by the necessities of survival. Which sometimes offers glimpses of how he was before, and which gives hope, yes, but scrapes at the scar tissues and reopens the emotional wounds. It will be a life's journey, for him, for us.But.

Going to gigs such as Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds and being a part of a greater shared story brings me joy! Little things, big things, to do list things, patting cat things. All different examples I hope shine a light for you on the simplicity and fleeting moments of joy.
Whatever, whenever, focus on the very core inside your Self, your unadulterated, untouchable Self, the one that’s not been besmirched by life, the Self you came in with and become aware that your Creator is gazing at you with unconditional love. Wait and you’ll feel the seed sprout. Whenever she wants, she seeks me out and finds me. Usually, when she needs me, can you imagine? Now, all of a sudden, Joy needs me!!! And, even more, alternatively, of course, I can take a look around the cosmos and see her.

And to literally call her on the phone every day and talk to her. Or big things, like going on fun adventures together. Taking her on fun little excursions. Pointing to a cow and saying cowwww. Making up words and then using them for years in our own special vocabulary that leaves people scratching their heads. I know someday I won’t have the ability to do these things with her anymore, so I savor every moment.
Can you find some time during these serious situations to find peace and joy in something. Something that can make you laugh...I think laughter is so vital! I find joy in anything or anyone who can make me laugh. My only son also brings me immense joy...

They are, we are so vulnerable an in order to experience joy I must make peace with this truth.What brings me joy? There is 3-year-old who fills my top pocket with dinosaurs and feeds them cheese. When something makes me feel completely myself and simultaneously at one with the universe, then I feel joy. I felt it at the total solar eclipse in April and immediately began researching the times and locations of future eclipses. Unfortunately, it quickly became obvious that I cannot afford to chase the moon's shadow. I'm not so sure I agree with you, Nick, that joy is something you have to seek out.
Music can transport me to another time and place. I find joy in contemplating the thin but resilient threads that hold the world together. When I sit on my porch and watch the butterflies and birds visit my flower garden, and my dogs are lounging nearby, and my family may not be with me but they feel near, I feel connected to all these things.
Following that same spark of "Ooooh!" that locomotives, volcanoes, dinosaurs, and eventually rock music ignited and seeing where those associations lead. Remembering what it feels like and diving into it.And then being open once again to the grace of joy that naturally flows forward from that relationship. I often forget how I find my Joy but then I spend a couple of hours creating – painting or drawing. If I go for a run the same day I feel more joy.