Joy

One of the reasons I love having a little kid like David is his
incredible ability to share joy. He’s so expressive with his happiness
that it’s contagious. Last week, we went to the Google Halloween party
and they had an inflatable cauldron where a witch came in and out of it
and each time the witch came out, David shrieked with joy. Pure,
unadulterated joy. It was so amazing that everyone around him was
laughing at his intensity.

It’s funny how such things become socially unacceptable over time. It’s
sad how we don’t feel (or at least) express that kind of happiness
anymore. I honestly can’t remember the last time I felt that good and I
wonder if I ever expressed myself the way he does. But this is sort of
why I wish it was okay to be straightforward with people. Not only is
expressing outlandish joy pooh-poohed upon, but so is telling people you
think they’re great. If you say things like that you must either be
hitting on the person or have an ulterior motive.

Some days I wish it was okay to tell people that you think they’re
awesome and interesting and you’re glad they’re in your life. Like an
official “go tell people you like that you like them” day or something.
I wish people knew how to take compliments and say thank you. I wish
people heard you and believed you and it actually made them feel good. I
certainly value the bad more than the good. When someone compliments me,
they mustn’t know what they are talking about and when they bash me,
they must be right. But I wish I was good at listening and hearing, too.
Even if just for one day.

National express-joy-like-a-toddler and take-compliments-well day.