For some reason I am starting to feel some joy in my life. I can't explain it, but I see joy everywhere. I went to the grocery store, forgot my reusable plastic bags to carry my groceries in, but I was overcome with happiness that the store would sell me another one for $1.49. How lucky I am I, right? I brought a few items to the self checkout and joyously swiped item after Item. A bag of chips, $5.99! I am so happy! I expected $3.99 at most but I am glad I can hand over 2 more dollars of my hard earned money to someone else. Their joy make me feel joy. After checking out all my items, I get a total amount due, $119.34. At first I thought, are you kidding me!? This used to cost me 49 bucks at most. Then I realized, it's not about me. I am lucky enough to have a credit card to charge my essentials so I can pay in installments later. Oh, happy days!
On my way home I stopped for gas. In NJ we don't pump our own gas, it is against the law. But how good is it that this creates jobs for recent immigrants, legal and illegal? More reason to feel joy. I filled up with regular and the total comes to $70. In 2020, it costs me about $45 but I am overcome by joy that I got a 3.2% increase in social security this year. Of course most of that was taken up by the massive increase in the cost of Medicare, but I feel joy that the 3.2% is helping a little.
To my fellow Americans, feel the joy. See the good unburdened by all the bad. Even indigence can be a joyful Just laugh it off, especially in awkward moments. I good cackle wipes unburdens you from your present.