Some kinds of joy land in your lap; you don’t have to do a thing. Just sit there and be delighted as it bounces all over you; however, other times, you might have to be a bit more proactive and make up your mind to just “git after it.” If you know what I mean.

Such was the case the time my mom and I were at the Virginia State Fair, and passed by a photo stand where you could get your picture taken with a real chimpanzee for a mere five dollars.

Her name was Tootsie, and when I caught sight of her and that irresistible offer, I begged, “mom, Mom, please can we have our picture taken with the chimp? Pleeeeease?” But my mother resisted.

“Aw, come on, Mom. It’ll be fun. Just this once?” I whined.

Still she declined, and we missed our opportunity. Until I resurrected another one. Twenty years later. And this one had a sweet, unexpected bonus…eleven years after that.

It’s just proof of this: you never know what kind of a delightful ripple effect can appear when you’re proactive about creating the space for joy to spring up.

Here’s to a little inspiration to “Git after it”!