Incandescent Joy – The 3rd of October 2007 – Evanston, Illinois

(found with “It’s October 3rd” written on it because it was October 3rd)

Dear Maxine,

I beg for relief even as I don’t want it.

Joy, Maxine, joy, joy, joy. Incandescent, illuminating, warming joy.

That is the answer.

The kind of joy that gets fuelled somehow by adrenaline and makes the fingers tremble and the eyes twitch and the lips smile.

That is the answer.

Fear and anger can always motivate, but nothing comes close to the energy and the focus one can derive from the purest of joys.

That is the answer.

You can hate, Maxine, and you can hate all you want – hate until your heart blackens and gives way and external machines are needed to keep the blood flowing through your veins. You can hate all you want, and I’ll tell you that it will get you places, very far places, places that are very and incredibly interesting.

But do not forget what joy can do. Perhaps it’s just as damaging, and it’s definitely more elusive, but do not forget what joy can do. It can bring you to those same places, very far places, places that are very and incredibly interesting, and it can bring you there with the same alacrity and pace.

The only difference, as far as I can see, is that on one journey you’ll have your eyebrows narrowed and your face all pulled and contorted by a frown. On one journey people will stand around you, but leaning away in awe and admiration and respect.

On the other journey you’ll have your face open and smiling and bright, beaming with the same kind of light that burning in your gut. People will stand around you, but leaning towards you in awe and admiration and respect.

So joy, Maxine, just don’t forget it. Don’t shut it out.

Find the joy, in fact. Find it, and let it draw you out.

Delightfully,

Kevin

 

Check out more responses to the 10 Minute Challenge here:

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  119. http://jayhouse.wordpress.com/2014/10/03/this-is-free-writing/
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  121. http://amidnightblog.wordpress.com/2014/10/02/daily-prompt-senior-year/
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