As I see it, Joy is the essence of our being. When we live from a place of joy, when we feel joy from the inside out, we are alive, we are connected to God and all that is around us. When we have forgotten what joy feels like, we are the walking dead, we feel disconnected.

If you are having difficulty connecting to what brings you joy, try this exercise:

Close your eyes, center yourself, place your hands upon your heart and ask yourself, “What brings me joy now?" Whatever comes up, allow yourself you feel, sense, hear and smell everything associated with it. It is through our senses we connect best to our feelings. Feel the joy welling up inside of you.

Some of the things that make me smile and glow on the inside are seeing the leaves fall so beautifully from the trees to the ground. Watching their flight as they drift and are lifted by the wind as it takes them wherever it takes them. I love watching the sunrise or sunset. I love being around my son who always make me laughand I realize how blessed I am. I love watching other children play and laugh. I also find great joy in meditating,feeling the incredible connection to all things in the moment.

Sometimes we may be in a place where we cannot name anything that brings us joy. In those times, I suggest you go on a journey back through your own "memory lane" to when you were a child.

What made you laugh then and feel totally alive and joyful inside?

For me, there are two instances that stand out clearly. I still feel the feelings, smell the scents, hear the sounds when I think of them. And always, it brings a big smile to my face.

One distinct memory was of riding bareback on my horse across the newly harvested wheat fields, feeling the power and strength of the horse and as I leaned forward against the horse’s mane. It felt as if the two of us were blending into one. Smelling the sweat of the horse, the fragrance of the field, feeling the joy of the horse being allowed to stretch and run as fast as he wanted to. When I close my eyes, I can still feel to this day the sense of freedom, life, joy and exuberance as if it was happening right now.

The other was a cold and rainy day in the fall when my girlfriend and I got into our bathing suits and brought out our umbrellas and went into the back yard. We ran around most of the afternoon after school pretending to be Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain. We had such a blast and it felt so alive and cleansing to dance and sing in the rain. We were giggling and laughing until our hearts and stomachs felt like they were going to burst. And even though I was grounded when my mom found out, I’d do it all over again. It is still one of the most joyful moments of my life.

Take the time to cherish the simple, joyful moments in your life. Appreciate them as they happen and bring old memories back like old friends.

Be the light you were meant to be while you are here on Earth. Lift you head out of the sand and let your light shine.

- Maria