The definition of joy

I once read a definition of Joy:

‘Joy isn’t like happiness which is based upon happenings or whether things are going well or not. No, joy remains even amidst the suffering. Joy is not happiness. Joy is an emotion that’s acquired by the anticipation, acquisition or even the expectation of something great or wonderful. It could be described as exhilaration, delight, sheer gladness, and can result from a great success or a very beautiful or wonderful experience like a wedding or graduation. Joy is a gift.’

I love this. I love it because it breathes hope to me - it highlights that joy can be found even when we might feel an emotion like disappointment. Our feelings often run in parallel, like train tracks. When things don’t quite happen the way we want them to, we can still have and find joy in the circumstance. Some times its easy to feel it but some times it is a conscious choice. On this day, I was challenged by Charlie and Max. I was challenged by their choice to be joyful and to laugh despite interrupted plans. 

Like with most weddings, months of careful planning had gone in to their wedding - the outfits, their beautiful venue, their honeymoon. And like many girls, I am sure Charlie had thought of this day long before she was even asked to marry Max. A broken thumb in a cast and a sky full of rain resulted in yes - a beautiful wedding outfit that featured something that didn't exactly compliment it, longed for shots that couldn't happen and a cancelled honeymoon too but how did they react? With grace, laughter and well, joy! 

Max and Charlie are one of the most joyful, positive couples I have ever met. They met every challenge with acceptance and with the ability to look beyond what they had wished for. In fact, they embraced it. If a cast needed to be worn, then a bright pink one it would be! That's what I loved about this day: the challenge to accept, embrace and make the best of the circumstance. 

Thank you Max and Charlie, not only for having us, but for helping to challenge us to be the best version of ourselves that we can be! You guys rock. 

P.s And you know what, the sun came out, the cast made a story to tell and the cancellation of the honeymoon meant they could have an extra minimoon in before going on the real one! Happy days :)