United Way: Count it all 'joy'
"Joy" is a word we see and hear a lot at this time of year, around the holidays. Per the Oxford English Dictionary, Joy is a feeling or state of great pleasure and happiness. It is the root of joyful, from the Old French joie with its Latin root of gaudere, "rejoice."
My mother always said, “Happiness comes in moments — enjoy the moments.” I always thought the emphasis was on happiness coming in the moments, not always in long-term, sweeping lengths of time. Now I realize she was also saying to enJOY the moments. Being present during those moments and savoring, or enJOYing them, is just as important as recognizing them!
While conducting research for this article, I came across an anonymous quote that sums up how I’ve been feeling about emphasizing joy during the upcoming holidays. Even if I can’t give up gifts and cookies, I think these are laudable goals for the season!
Be present instead of buy presents.
Wrap someone in a hug instead of wrap gifts.
Send love instead of send gifts.
Donate food instead of shop for food.
Make memories instead of make cookies.
Be the light instead of see the light.
I will add one more…
Spread JOY!
There are about 430 references to joy in the Bible. Per the English Standard version, “Joy is lasting, and it satisfies the heart in a unique and marvelous way.” Even in the midst of trials, we are asked to “count it all JOY” to perfect our faith and enhance our lives (James 1:2). Joy seems to be a noble pursuit to follow. I even have a joy sign hanging on our big Christmas tree. I wish you joy this holiday season and in the coming new year.
Please join us in spreading hope and joy during the holiday season and the coming year as we advocate for opportunities for all to have a good, JOYful life. Please “Join Us in a New Way to LIVE UNITED”! We appreciate your support to help fight poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, mental health and substance use disorders, domestic violence, and other important community needs! The United Way funds 11 local Lenawee County agency programs and serves as a donor designation vehicle for 30-plus additional agencies. We also sponsor countywide 2-1-1 services, and coordinate Project Ramp, two annual Health Check events, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), and Day of Action programs and services. All funds raised in Lenawee County stay in Lenawee County.
For more information about JOINING US IN NEW WAYS TO LIVE UNITED, please contact us! Call us at 517-264-6821, email lpipis@unitedwaymlc.org, visit us at 136 E. Maumee St., Ste. 15, Adrian, MI 49221 or visit unitedwaymlc.org. Visit our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok social media platforms, too!
— Laura Schultz Pipis is the Executive Director of the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee counties.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: United Way: Count it all 'joy'
