Everyone knows that when your resistance is low you are more apt to catch something. Usually that is not a good situation. People try to avoid becoming infected or contaminated by others. They usually go out of their way to protect themselves from the contagious person.
There is, however, an exception to this rule. Of all of the things that you might be susceptible to from someone else, by far, the greatest thing you can catch is infectious joy. It is pure pleasure and bliss. You can spot an infected person very easily by their look, by their smile by the twinkle in their eyes and by the way they carry themselves and by their movements. They have a bounce to their step. Another telltale sign is how they make you feel when you are with them and how they make you feel even when you are not with them. Just thinking of them can make you feel joyful.
If you do not already have it, you may be lucky enough to catch it from another person who has it or from the beauty of nature, or from a kindness, or the consideration a stranger has shown you. You can also catch it from a compliment or praise and appreciation. If you know someone who is infected, expose yourself to them and their joy.
When you have a physical infection, the traditional advice is to stay home and stay away from other people. When you are infected with joy the opposite advice holds true. Go out and about and spread it to everyone, everywhere you go. Don’t stay home. Don’t avoid others. Become a carrier. Infect as many people as you can. Get close to them. Touch them. Touch their hand and hug them. Breathe on them and breathe your joy and your delight into them.
Once you are infected, it is the only infection that you will not want to get rid of. It is a true blessing.
Patricia Frank is a Licensed Psychotherapist. She can be reached at 305-788-4864, 212 308-0309.
