Joy

It’s the time at the end of summer when people start getting excited about pumpkin spice and all things fall. The nights are getting cooler and the days are getting shorter. The mosquitoes are getting thicker and many of us welcome the first freeze. Apples and pears are starting to ripen so it’s only a matter of time before apple cider is bubbling on the stove. These things bring many people joy.

I’ve noticed something about this time too. The naysayers come out to mock the people that are excited for pumpkin spice. Yes, there are always going to be haters. Maybe you’re one of them. But why steal other people’s joy?

I went to a yoga teacher training one weekend with Nischala Joy Devi. She was talking about the Yoga Sutras and how they say not to steal other people’s joy. Say you’re sitting somewhere enjoying the fresh air. Another person comes along and lights up a cigar. Yes, smoking is bad for you, but they probably already know that and smoke cigars because it brings them joy.

So you’ve reached a dilemma. Your joy is being ruined because you’re not able to enjoy the fresh air without the stench of cigar smoke in the air. If you ask the other person to stop smoking, you’ll steal their joy. So the best thing to do would be to find a compromise where you can both be joyful.

Maybe you’re not into pumpkin spice lattes. That’s okay. You don’t have to be. But for goodness sakes, if you’re not, let others have their joy.