Simple joys in daily living

If I get too far down, I have to make myself leave my home and go out, around people in public. I used to hate being in public, but that's changed.

I find there are many moments of joy in talking with strangers. It might be the person in front of me in a grocery store line, a waiter at a restaurant, someone at the post office. It begins when I remind myself to show kindness and interest in another person.

And it actually works. Joy follows even the most basic exchange.

I need to do this more often, as it seems so many things cloud my spirit with doubt, worry, even anger. So much divides us, makes us all mistrustful and hostile; I'm no exception. To reach across the divides from time to time and connect with another human being on the level of basic civility is a good thing. I sense God's presence in it. And I thank Him for it.