Okay. I have to do it.
Over the past couple of weeks I've celebrated the virtues of the dogs and then the cats, but there's another member of the family who's been patiently wiggling in the wings, waiting for her turn in the spotlight.
Let me tell you about Biscuit, our larger-than-life goldfish.
Biscuit came from humble beginnings. She was a carnival fish who had the good fortune of being won by our neighbor's then 15 year old daughter, Laurel.
Laurel was ecstatic as the little goldfish was presented to her in a water-filled plastic baggie, and promptly named her Biscuit.
When Biscuit got to her new home, her accommodations were upgraded to a cozy two gallon tank, complete with plants and decorative gravel.
Now, I don't know about any of you, but any time I won a coveted goldfish at a carnival it was a matter of days before I'd be in tears at its demise.
But not Biscuit.
I had the pleasure of meeting Biscuit 10 years later when Laurel, now a career woman, was visiting her parents. And since Laurel was going to be doing a lot of moving around for work, it was decided Biscuit would stay put at our neighbors for the time being. And any time our neighbors went out of town, I got to pet sit Biscuit.
And I fell in love!
Her interaction with humans, exuberant wiggles and zest for life was unlike anything I'd ever seen with a fish. Seeing my bond with Biscuit, and Laurel knowing she'd be on the go for a while, everyone decided Biscuit would move in with our tribe.
All pets live their best lives in our home, and Biscuit was no exception. We upgraded her living space to a palatial mega-mansion of a tank. Littlle did we know that goldfish grow to the size of their tank and I think she took it as a personal challenge.
She grew. And grew. And grew some more!
But it's not just her size that amazes people. It's her personality. She doesn't just swim - she performs! She greets anyone who walks by with joyful wiggles, and will hang with whoever is nearby. Everyone is charmed by her antics. Even our electrician, who was installing an outlet near her tank, stopped midway through. "Um.. you're going to think I'm crazy, but I swear your fish is interacting with me!"
Nope. We don't think you're crazy. That's Biscuit. Radiating pure joy through her scales and fins.
Biscuit is the perfect reminder that joy is always there.
Life can feel heavy at times. Stress, responsibilities, and the constant buzz of daily life can weigh us down. It's like a cloudy day - you know the sun is up there somewhere, but you can't see its light or feel its warmth.
And just like the sun, your joy never truly disappears.
It's easy to think that joy is something you need to create, like it's out there waiting for the perfect circumstances to show up.
You tell yourself, "I'll be happy when..." or "I'll feel better if..."
But joy doesn't come from something outside of you. It's not a reward for checking off all the boxes, or something reserved for when life falls perfectly into place.
Joy is already within you. Right now. It's part of who you are.
Life's "clouds" can make us forget this. The deadlines, the to-do lists, the unexpected challenges - they build up, casting shadows that can make us feel that joy is out of reach.
But just as the sun doesn't stop shining on a cloudy day, your joy never stops existing. It's simply waiting for you to remember, and tune in.
And interestingly, when we begin to tune in to our joy, a ripple effect is created. Your inner light begins to shine brighter, and your external experiences begin to level up.
You attract better energy, new opportunities, and even solutions to challenges that once felt overwhelming.
Joy doesn't need big moments or grand gestures. It lives in the simplicity of being present. Watching your pet greet you with unconditional love; letting yourself dance freely to a song you love; taking in the beauty nature has to offer.
When you focus on the small things that bring joy into your life, you align with that deeper part of you. You stop waiting for joy to arrive, because you realize it's been there all along.
The more you lean into your joy, the more you'll see how powerful it is. Click below to connect with your ever-present joy no matter the situation or circumstances. Joy is not a fleeting feeling, but rather a way of being that can transform your life from the inside, out.
Five Minute Fix Guided Meditation #37: Embrace Your Natural Essence of Joy 🌞
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