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A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Rabbi Warren Elf

Good morning.

Did you know that today is National Joy Germ Day, a day to spread happiness?

The idea behind calling it 鈥渏oy germ鈥� was because germs spread from person to person so readily. So it seemed a good idea that happiness should also be highly infectious. And that鈥檚 what National Joy Germ Day is all about!

The day suggests there are various ways that we can emit the joy bug, and today we are encouraged to utilise all of our energy doing it. We can start by smiling and generally being nice to people.

There are so many things in the middle of winter, with shorter days, less sunshine, colder temperatures, that contribute to us feeling less happy, even sad, depressed and lethargic. We may have post-holiday season blues.

There are so many things to make us angry or afraid, worried or insecure, or feeling helpless.

Nachman of Bratzlav, a leading Chasidic Rabbi, said: There are those who suffer terrible distress and are unable to tell what they feel in their hearts, and they go their way and suffer and suffer. But if they meet someone with a laughing face, they can revive them with their joy. And to revive a person is no slight thing.

I always try to see the positive in any situation. I have faith that there is always hope and opportunity, although I recognise that they are sometimes difficult to see or feel. I believe it is always possible to bring respite and comfort where it is needed.

So my prayer today is that we can always bring happiness to the world around us. I pray that we can find ways to help those around us to see something positive, even in desperate situations; that we treasure and appreciate the good things and find ways to overcome the bad. I pray today I can spread some joy!

Amen.

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