This week, the calendar will turn from June to July, and while the week ahead will be building to to the 4th of July, I am not ready to let June go without reflecting on this short, simple poem by Larry Morris:
June is the Joy of God!
One can argue, of course, that the Joy of God is here all year long, available daily, available now in this moment, not exclusive to the month of June. Still, there is a Grace to the lens of June, and our recognition of spring that has now shifted into summer. Human emotions are far from a steady receptivity to Life as Joy. Given wars, earthquakes, fires, and deadly disease that fuel the news, how can we think about, let alone actually feel, a Joyous Universe?
Consider our human capacity to choose meaning. We give meaning to events. I am giving meaning--deep meaning--to a 6 word poem. That meaning makes me more aware of Life around me, not just the routine of days, or the jarring of world events. When I choose to see the tasks in front of me, or reflect back on the day's events, or remember conversations and/or interactions with others, placing them all in the frame of "God's Joy", the axis of meaning shifts.
We are fed by the meaning we consume. Bitter, hopeless consumption, will make your life feel bitter and hopeless. Allowing yourself a space of Joy, regardless of world events, brings renewed reassurance of Life as essential Goodness. This essential Goodness goes beyond separate self interest; it enfolds to include your concern and care of others.
Experiencing Joy in this sense, is a short cut. Paradoxically, Joy isn't something you can fabricate. You can't make yourself feel joy. Start instead by giving God, or the Universe, the freedom to be Joyful. Our fears and deep concerns about ourselves and those we care for, and our concerns about the future--our future, and world events--can harden our spiritual life. We look for understanding, yet easily turn to blame. Instead, stay open to a wondrous awareness of Joy all around you, here, where you are. As Tagore wrote, "And joy is everywhere; it is in the earth's green covering of grass; in the blue serenity of the sky." The Joy I am writing about is not your private, personal Joy. It is your your recognition, your participation, your enfoldment in the Joy of Life. So it is not a struggle. It comes to you, Joyously. July is also, the Joy of God. (Susan Nettleton)
For Poetry: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/12686/keep-me-fully-glad https://emilydickinsonpublicdomain.com/2026/01/12/tis-so-much-joy-tis-so-much-joy/ https://openheartproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Mind-Wanting-More-by-Holly-Hughes.pdf