Patty Mayeux Blog

In honor of Labor Day, here is a repost from a while back. I hope you enjoy…

Of all the things you choose to do each day, I hope joy is your companion. Sing while you wash the dishes. Fling flour while baking, then dance when you clean up the mess. May you have opportunities to create beauty in spontaneous, outrageous, joy-infused ways.

Not long ago I attended a concert by Houston-based The Suffers. What fun it was to dance in the aisle, remembering what my mom always told me: “No one watches the bad dancers.” I sat down to rest but soon stood up, not to dance but to cheer on a woman who went to the front of the crowd and swayed like there only existed in her world the music that made her body move. I was in awe of her grace, but mostly I was envious of her confidence to stand in front of hundreds of strangers and give them the gift of her art. Later, I ran into her in the bathroom, and I was able to express my appreciation. The image of her dancing is one I return to, especially when I am feeling shy or insecure. Whatever task I face, difficult or fun, I’ll remember to ask joy to hold my hand and smile while I work.