The joyful mind occupies my mind. In my case, it seems to occur when I least expect it. Something happens, I feel immense joy, and the feeling creates a joyful mind. The state lasts for a few minutes or even a full hour.<\/p>\n
I suppose one can pay for a joyful mind, but that seems unlikely for me. Cultivation of a joyful mind, however, is possible. I believe I can cultivate a joyful mind or at least try to initiate one. Going to the beach is such a method of initiation for me.<\/p>\n
The other morning, I saw a squirrel on the South Jetty and I was astonished at how much joy quickly reverberated through me. The joyful mind built up to skyscraper heights in a second.<\/p>\n
After the squirrel vanished into the rocks, I sat down on the sand and listed everything I could think of that creates a joyful mind within me.<\/p>\n
Here it is:<\/p>\n
Writing this list of joy.<\/p>\n
A good walk with my friend Joe and listening to him discuss the various potions he invents to heal himself and others (myself included).<\/p>\n
Discovering an old and out-of-print book that delights me and informs my thinking and writing. The latest discovery: West Coast Shells<\/i>, first published in 1877.<\/p>\n
Building a driftwood fort.<\/p>\n
Rescuing forlorn paper from thrift stores.<\/p>\n
Building a driftwood sculpture and decorating with beach treasures (pictured here).<\/p>\n
Walking with Bonnie and Clyde.<\/p>\n
Distributing my books in street libraries and returning to find them gone.<\/p>\n
Hearing Russian spoken in nature.<\/p>\n
Sipping Calvados with my two best friends.<\/p>\n
Teaching writing workshops.<\/p>\n
Reading names and equations of love carved into the walls of beachfront cliffs.<\/p>\n
Documenting Oregon Tavern Age life.<\/p>\n
Encountering anything related to elk, including scat.<\/p>\n
Finding Virgin Corduroy Garments (good band name!)<\/p>\n
Inventing absurd band names.<\/p>\n
Hearing that someone has renounced social media.<\/p>\n
Finding keyhole limpets.<\/p>\n
Watching deer in my back yard.<\/p>\n
Watching deer eat my tomatoes.<\/p>\n
Making soup on a rainy day.<\/p>\n
Eating breakfast with gulls.<\/p>\n
Writing hand-written letters.<\/p>\n
Receiving hand-written letters.<\/p>\n
Seeing someone change her mind.<\/p>\n
Meeting someone with a curious mind.<\/p>\n
Reuniting with someone who was once a major part of my life.<\/p>\n
Watching men fish for surf perch.<\/p>\n
Meeting new people who care about the world.<\/p>\n
Generating a new idea to save me from marginalization and financial ruin. (I got one today while watching the squirrel.)<\/p>\n
Seeing someone dance on the beach to \u201cLA Woman\u201d by the Doors.<\/p>\n
Writing a love story that was pure truth.<\/p>\n
Meeting someone who hasn’t written me off.<\/p>\n
Hearing from a former student that I taught them something valuable.<\/p>\n
Watching Youngs Bay.<\/p>\n
(If you found this post enjoyable, thought provoking or enlightening, please consider supporting a writer at work by making a financial contribution to this blog or by purchasing an NSP book.) <\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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