It's been a tough start to this week. But as the days keep moving, I'm learning we must go as well. Today at work we gathered with a group of eager elementary kiddos. It's hard not to laugh around them. Together we worked on art that encouraged them to "think outside of the box." I noticed it was challenging for some of the students to even start for fear of their work not looking exactly like the example we showed at the start of class. Overall, it's ok because they enjoyed the project. But it got me to thinking of times when I stayed inside a certain frame of mind and focused on the circumstances only. They are things happening that are heartbreaking, yes and honestly a smile can feel like guilt has grip around me. I had walked out the building after we wrapped with my friend to pack the car and go home but I realized I left my jacket inside the classroom. So, I ran back into the school, and as I walked down the narrow hallway, I begin hearing a woman's voice singing at the top of her lungs. I rounded the corner and noticed it was this sweet older woman cleaning the girl's bathroom. She was by herself, doing her job and smiling from ear to ear belting this tune. She was full of joy. When I met her eyes- I shouted, "you betta sing!" and she let out this deep laugh from the pit of her belly...and kept singing. I heard her all the way down the hall on my way out of the building. I think now of the losses, pain and disappointments she must have experienced in her life thus far but still there was such a beautiful sound she released in that small elementary school bathroom, that echoed into the halls and is what caused me to follow the sound. And I smiled. So, REJOICE. So that joy can find you.