Ten years ago, my son was born. I remember the morning well. Like every proud parent, I distinctly recall picking up the telephone and calling each of our family members and closest friends to share with them the exciting announcement. The joy in our lives was bubbling over. And I could not wait to include others in the moment.
I learned a valuable life lesson that morning: Joy is meant to be shared with others. In fact, our joy becomes more complete when it is shared with others. The moment was one I will never forget… but having others to share in it brought even more excitement.
This truth about the important of sharing joy with others can easily be seen in life’s most exciting moments. But the experience of sharing joy can also be seen in smaller moments:
- When we find a great new restaurant, we recommend it.
- When we read a lovely new book, we share it.
- When we discover a better way to live, we invite others.
The practice of sharing new things with others improves their lives. It allows them to discover the same joy. But it also enhances ours as well. It makes our joy complete. It bring new fullness to our lives. And it is one of the reasons I included an entire chapter about sharing our story with others in our book, Simplify.
Simply put, joy is meant to be shared. It is unselfish on every level to invite others to experience the same.
When we began intentionally living with fewer possessions, we discovered a better way to live. We discovered less debt, more time, more freedom… more joy. And we love the opportunity to confidently invite others to discover the same. Their lives can be improved. And our joy is made more complete.
Sharing really does simplify your life – especially when shared with the right people!
Really enjoyed reading this post. Expecting my first child I’m really resonating with the joy of sharing. Life is good!
Thank you!
Joshua,
I really enjoyed this. I find joy in my children as well and from the first sentence, I had a smile on my face.
Thank you!
Joshua, you are so right. Where is the pleasure in having a great moment without sharing it with others? When you have good news, you want others to know. Thanks for the reminder. It’s all about relationships.
I love sharing with my friends and family – be it recipes, memories, ideas, time etc. My husband and I try to instill a sense of unconditional sharing in our two young children however we still have ALOT of work to do on that front :)
Wonderful post. As I was reading thisthe thought “life is meant to be shared” ran through my head.
Thank you
Dan Garner
Http:// zenpresence.com
Joshua: I know this post is all about “sharing” (and I’m in total agreement with you on that subject).
However…my two favorite words from this post (found in the last paragraph) are these: intentional. living.
Touche my friend, touche!
Keep sharing your minimalistic experiences with us. You are a wonderful resource to us.
Joshua,
I’m sharing this with you because I think you’ll “get it”. It is something I shared in my ministry for years.
[1Jn 1:1] What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—(Personal experience!) [2] and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— [3] what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. [4] These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
Notice in verse 4 whose joy is complete! There is joy in the telling of our personal experiences. Thanks for sharing your joy with us.
Thanks for this Joshua, I think you just helped me uncover another layer in the story I’m trying to put together about my deceased father. He loved to learn and loved to share his love of learning with others, and his second career as a teacher allowed him to do that every day. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m here to share.
Sounds like your father gave you a strong foundation from which to continue searching.