In the busy world we live in, people are constantly thinking about the following: Their careers, other people, posting pictures on instagram, getting ahead, thinking about the future, building their resume, etc. But what we all should be contemplating is how we are to spend our finite time (here on earth) figuring out ways to throw our heads back with pure Joy with a capital "J." My daughter, who is now 15 months old, is the master of head tilting and joy receiving/giving. We know when she feels pure bliss when she runs down the sidewalk and throws her head back with a huge smile or she throws her head back to look at the blue skies when she is swinging. Her life is filled with the simplest of things: her baby friend, mama, baba, apple juice, milk, tasty snacks, two great naps per day, at least four outside "playdates" per day (we are outside way more than we are inside), lots of diverse story books and many friendly hellos to the fellow dogs of the neighborhood. 

People always say, "What it would take to be a kid again." Aren't kids just the daily reminder JOY can be attained simply by changing our mindset and how we think about life's obstacles. Life can be painful (yes), stressful (yes) and sometimes it feels we are running an endless race (yes) but really, depending on how you live it, all we really need is a little head tilting joy, nature, a curious eye and a wonder about the world with such love that snuffing out JOY is simply not an option. Somehow, in the murky waters we call life, we lose our ability to find that "throw your head back" kind of bliss. 

Find it! And if you cannot find, try searching in a new place, in a new space or take some time just to think about your thinking. Even thinking about JOY and how to attain it is a start. Just another lesson in our year outside the neighborhood. The trolley ride that keeps on giving.