For many years of my life I was around people who gave joy a bad rap. I was under the basic assumption that joy was childish and immature and something you should “grow out of” ASAP.

Somewhere along the way I got the idea that being serious was more “important” than being joyful, that laughter is frivolous and that having fun is a waste of time. Let me proclaim right here and right now: that concept has been tossed away for good and I don’t plan to revive it. In fact, I’m on a mission to have more joy in my life every day.

In addition to believing the lie that serious is “more important” than having fun, I also believed that “spiritual people” must be serious which I guess has a counter-belief that “silly people” can’t be spiritual. I also publicly renounce that concept immediately. In fact, as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, Erin and I are going to talk about spirituality and joy every week on the Sheri and Erin show starting in 2012. We will be using A Course in Miracles as our book of choice to support our stance that a state of joy and spirituality are synonymous. If all goes as planned we will also laugh out loud at least once each show.

We are on hiatus right now but I did a mini-show to update listeners on our plans. You can listen to it here:

Nothing brings me joy quite like music and this week I got to spend several hours immersed in music history when I visited the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live.

Currently the museum is featuring two main exhibits: George Harrison and James Brown. I spent hours listening to music, playing music, reading history and looking at various wardrobe items of musical greats like Michael Jackson, Cee Lo Green and Barbara Streisand. I wish I could share pictures but photography is not allowed inside the museum. If you want to learn more about the museum, visit grammymuseum.org

There was a lot of celebrating and things to cheer about earlier this week when over 1,000 people showed up for a 5K in Long Beach in support of love, community and making a difference. All told, the event raised $68,350.64 for BeTheMatch.

I was pretty jazzed because I experienced a personal triumph on a number of levels 1) This is the first time in my life I EVER ran for 30 minutes straight. 2) Despite that fact, I placed #8 in my age category and #113 overall. There were 948 people registered for this event. Here’s a video of me crossing the finish line.

It boggles my mind that I ran a 5K and that I placed so high in the rankings.  It brings me joy because it makes me think of possibilities and potential and it makes me think of the power of perception.

3) I exceeded my fundraising goal and that’s because 4) I asked for help. Most of my life I DESPISED asking for help and saw it as a sign of weakness. By the way, I also used to DESPISE running.

When I consider these ideas, I also have to consider that it’s possible to change and that life is a constant string of choices. I am doing my best to choose joy because whether I live 5 more minutes or 45 more years, I want as much of my time as possible spent in a state of joy. What is the purpose of life if it is not to enjoy it?

People who enjoy life and live large are inspiring. It seems like that is why Tanner has been such a strong force in joining together a community.

Over 40 people raised money and got themselves to Long Beach by 9:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning to run in support of his cause. Some ran 1K, some 5K. Some walked.

By the time finalists staggered to the finish line, the sun was beating down on them. Some were wearing hockey jerseys. Yet the mood was jovial and high spirited and there was a sense of gratitude, camaraderie, and accomplishment in the air.

There were smiling faces and children with painted faces and a plethora of energizers available: water, bananas, energy drinks, and cupcakes to name a few.

I don’t know about you, but I think it would be great to spend as much time in positive energy like this as possible.  In fact, I think I’ll put that on my list of goals for 2012 but I’ll get started on it right away.

By the way, have a Happy Thanksgiving and if you’d like to post a comment about something you appreciate or feel grateful for, please do.