When we think about the divine or a higher power, we often look for it in grand miracles, thunderous voices, or profound moments of silence. But Pierre Teilhard de Chardin offers us a much more tender way to find connection through the concept of joy. He suggests that joy isn't just a fleeting emotion or a happy accident; it is an infallible sign, a reliable compass pointing toward something much greater than ourselves. To me, this means that whenever we feel that sudden, unexplainable spark of delight, we are actually touching the hem of the infinite.
In our busy, everyday lives, it is so easy to overlook these small flickers of light. We get caught up in the heavy lifting of existence—the chores, the deadlines, and the endless to-do lists. We start to view joy as a luxury we can only afford once everything is perfect. But if joy is a sign of a divine presence, then it isn't waiting for us at the finish line; it is woven into the very fabric of our ordinary moments. It is found in the warmth of a morning coffee, the way sunlight hits a dusty floor, or the sound of a loved one's laughter.
I remember a particularly grey Tuesday a few months ago when everything felt quite heavy. I was sitting on my porch, feeling stuck in a bit of a rut, when a tiny, bright yellow duckling waddled past my feet, completely unbother of the gloom. In that split second, a wave of pure, silly delight washed over me. I couldn't help but giggle. In that moment, I felt a profound sense of peace, as if the universe was whispering that everything was okay. It was a tiny, joyful spark that felt much more powerful than the heavy clouds surrounding me.
This reminds us to keep our eyes peeled for those small, glowing embers of happiness. We don't need to go on a pilgrimage to find something sacred; we just need to be present enough to notice the joy that is already dancing around us. When we embrace these moments, we aren't just being happy; we are practicing a form of prayer and connection to the universe.
Today, I want to encourage you to look for your own small signs. As you move through your day, try to pause whenever you feel a tiny lift in your spirit. Instead of brushing it off as something trivial, hold onto it for a second. Ask yourself what that joy is trying to tell you about the beauty that exists all around you.