# @breyeschow on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CrBMoliufNO
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/18916916-breyeschow-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/501e40337b.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-04-14T13:45:06.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Bruce Reyes-Chow (@breyeschow) — https://gondola.cc/breyeschow

## Caption

#WeeklyWord — joy

While it is essential to name the pain and struggle around us, this week, I found myself experiencing unexpected joy at the most seemingly insignificant thing, pebble ice. It may be silly, but there is something about pebble ice that is perfection and apparently brings me joy to see and experience.

That moment got me thinking about joy and how too often we buy into the myth that joy is something to be earned, as if joy is the reward for a job well done or payment for services rendered. Yes, the "joy versus happiness" debate could be had here, but I instead challenge us all to name and claim the free and abundant joy that is woven throughout our day.

Somewhere today, there is something joyful to see, hear, touch, taste, smell, or otherwise experience that is not transactional in nature or based on some warped commitment to sacrifice and obligation. For me, today, my joy comes from hummingbird sightings, sunshine on my face, and pebble ice in my Diet Coke. Tomorrow may reveal a different cornucopia of joyful experiences, and I am committed not to letting them pass by.

Today I hope joy makes itself known to you and, in turn, that you embrace that joy with the abandon it demands.
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joy

joy is woven throughout our day

joy is contentment of the body
joy is thriving of the soul
joy is fullness of the heart
joy is expansiveness of the mind 

joy is found in the mundane and the magnificent
hummingbirds, first sun of spring, blossoms,
family recipes, sauce off the spoon, pebble ice,
justice known, grace received, affection offered

joy is free and abundant
our labor may provide access to some things
but joy is never earned
claim, know, and believe the joy 

Generally published on Wednesdays, each Weekly Word is brought to you thanks to #Patreon supporters who underwrite my time. Feel free to share, repost, tweet, and use as you feel moved, and tag @breyeschow on the socials.
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#weeklyword #joy

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## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bruce Reyes-Chow | @breyeschow | https://gondola.cc/breyeschow | Writer/Author |

## Tags

weeklyword, joy, patreon

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