Joy lives outside the Cocoon

Joy lives outside the cocoon
 
(Joy)
It’s in a cup of coffee in the morning,  
minus the drink addled brain fog of “only going for one” the night before.  
For me, it’s waking up sober full of energy and possibilities.
 
Joy is getting lost in literature, galaxy hopping on the Star Trek Enterprise, riding shotgun with Han Solo on the Milennium Falcon ot accompanying Frodo to Mordor, I’d keep the ring by the way...
 
Joy is in a clean house, no dishes in the sink, all the washing done, no hoovering left, windows sparkling, the garden cut and manicured.
 
Joy is in finishing that list you made, getting the fence painted, cracks mended, remembering to leave out the bins.
 
Joy is in the toast landing butter side up. It is found in having purpose, in setting goals, chasing dreams, losing first time around but choosing to go again.
Joy in trying, and I’m referring here to the journey, not the destination. Reaching the end is not the fun part, it’s the heroes quest to get you there that is important.
 
Joy is in losing a few pounds, feeling in control, summoning up the discipline not to lay waste to the full packet of biscuits.... taco chips, battered sausage, snack box with burger sauce, the full 2 litre of coke.
 
Joy in mischief, in the rain bucketing down on their trip that you weren’t invited to.
 
Joy in family, that whole unconditional love thing...
 
Finding the wallet you lost..
 
Finding my Mothers latest hiding place for the sweets and biscuits that she insists she is not buying anymore.  
 
Joy in road trips, in Art, Mona Lisa’s smile, Van Goghs Daffodils, Banksy’s street crime art.
 
Joy is in the cessation of comparing yourself to others, in making comparisons you unleash a never ending competition of who is stronger, fitter, funnier... compete only with yourself, even you can’t lose a one horse race.
 
Joy is in the fire catching using your final match.
 
Joy is in music, Smashing Pumpkins – Tonight, Tonight, Nirvana – Smells like teen spirit, Johnny Cash Hurt, music controls your emotions, it is a weapon, use it.
 
Joy is a puncture free cycle.  
 
It’s realising before it’s too late that you have the petrol nozzle inside your diesel car. It’s in remembering to turn off the immersion as you leave the house on a two week foreign holiday.
 
Joy is in learning, everyday can be a school day, old dogs actually learn new tricks.
 
Joy is in shock value.., Fuck you.... but also in forgiveness, sorry I just wanted to shock you.
 
Joy is feeling the wheels touch back down on the runway.
 
Joy is in having the courage to live, explore, experiment. Let your kids graze their knees, it’s a rite of passage.
 
Finally, joy is in emerging from the cocoons we all bury ourselves in, although they are cosy and we feel secure there.. it puts a limit on your possibilities. Joy lives outside the cocoon.