In the grocery store today, I saw a couple who were having a wonderful time together as they shopped – laughing and hugging while they looked over the produce displays. I realized, as I watched them for a moment, that I was sharing in their happiness. The joy they were feeling was coming across to me and I was participating in it. It was as though I was part of their gladness and it was a part of me. I continued shopping with a contented smile on my face.

I thought about it as I was riding my bike home, and it occurred to me that I shouldn’t have been surprised to share so fully in someone’s joy. After all, joy is not a material thing that can be “owned” and “kept” by people. Gladness cannot be hoarded, roped off, and locked up. A feeling like happiness is infinite and available to one and all, as free as the air we breathe.

I breathed in a lot of it in the grocery store today, and, as usual, it was good for my health.

-- July 29, 2007