Another thought on that subject, Susan: I kind of think it is not an earned phenomenon; perhaps it comes through what is sometimes called 'grace'. All I know is that in my experience this joy -bubbling, upwelling, inexplicable joy - comes at unpredictable almost random moments.

Once it happened in the mountains when I was left alone while my partner drove down the steep, windy road to a town 70 miles away to get something he needed.

I spent the afternoon saturated with feeling. I felt as important as the hawk flying free far below me, as important as that boulder stuck in the dust, as important as the very dust. I felt completely at one.

Thanks for this thought for the day, kat.