See the Joy

Salesian Reflection
Eliana Lawrence, ‘27
Padua Academy

As I’m sure you've all heard at least once from our religion teachers, this year's diocesan theme is "Lord, help me to see." Every day, so many things go unnoticed by us. The joys of life often get drowned out by our ocean of worries. With our diocesan theme in mind, I’ve been asking the Lord to help me to see and spread joy in life. A life full of joy is certainly a life worth living. By making a habit of smiling frequently, giving genuine compliments, and loving loudly, I’ve been able to spread joy to those around me.

However, it was a few years ago that this became an intentional choice. After reading The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, I realized the power of a joyful, God-driven mindset. I’ve read it multiple times, and it always leaves me feeling uplifted.

Sometimes all it takes is a shift in perspective. Our patron, St. Francis de Sales, encourages us to find joy through simplicity and genuine connections rather than material pursuits.

So, this year I challenge you to choose to see the good in the world and in those around you. Find the joy in life. Ask the Lord to help you to see and spread the joy in life without holding back. Help us to see the joy in those long days at school. Help us to see the joy in listening to our classmates' presentations. To see the joy in running the mile in gym class, or in writing a research paper. To see joy when you trip up the stairs. Help us to bring out the joy in those around us, to bring joy to Padua.

Lord, help us to see all the opportunities we have to spread joy. And as I’m sure you're all thinking right now, there is a glaring opportunity right in front of us: spreading some joy at Mass by singing loud and proud. Don't leave our music ministry hanging!

So please, if you’ve somehow missed my message, make the effort to be joyful. It will be so worth it. “The key to finding happiness is finding joy in the present moment.”