Wiley's Wisdom

Joy: From the Ground Up

A Baby Laughing January 22, 2014

I’ve never been too big a fan of mirrors. I know barking and cowering are fairly common canine responses to them, but I do neither of these things. Instead I feel nothing. Emotionally indifferent I guess you could say. In general I don’t particularly care for the effect I know they can have on people, especially women.

So I choose to direct my attention elsewhere. I prefer to find joy. From the ground up, it was easy to find today. It happened on my living room floor with my other baby pal Alexis (daughter of mom’s friend Jessica). There we were staring at each other when it happened. She laughed.

If joy had a sound, a baby laughing would be it. It’s not the first time I’ve experienced such things, but each time it happens teaches me a new lesson about true and sincere happiness.Joy.

Today it taught me joy doesn’t come from a mirror. It simply can’t. But if you reflect joy, if you put it out there in front of you, it is likely to reflect right back at you. I mean no disrespect to mirrors. They serve their purpose and that’s all well and good.

But I do think people place too much value on that reflection staring back at them. Dogs bark and cower. People get sad or frustrated. Me? I’m indifferent to the mirrors. I would much rather focus on the person than the reflection anyway.

See the action unfold: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=569872490057&l=334242941458658880

Advertisement
 

39 Responses to “A Baby Laughing”

  1. Sandy Says:

    Playing with Alexis is good practice – and she clearly adores you!

    • She laughs like that every time I see her. And she stares at me – her eyes follow me all over the place. Soon she will be crawling after me…and soon after that Carter will be crawling after her. Ah, how the world turns. πŸ˜‰
      Lots of love,
      Wiles

  2. huntmode Says:

    Your Mama has a question on her FB page about who won the staring contest. I said for staying power, Alexis won hands down. She stayed put. But, you, Wyles, you were the champ, each giggle, guffle, chuckle, and piercing decibel of Alexis’ laughter brought out the champ in you! In six months, when Carter Joseph will pull the same, you will be champion, Wyles, I know it! πŸ™‚

  3. utesmile Says:

    How sweet… just think you have that to come with Carter too….. what joy!

    • I know! I am struggling to think about that without wishing too much for today to be done – you know what I mean? It’s a delicate balance having something to look forward to while still enjoying the present that is the present. πŸ™‚
      Lots of love to you dear friend!
      Wiles

  4. We are definitely heart-pals, Wiles. I am also indifferent to mirrors. Mom tries to make me get excited about them saying, “Who’s that?” And “Look at that doggie!” And “Get him! Get that pretty dog!” I stare at her staring at me through the mirror. If I could speak, I’d say, “You’re an idiot.” But I leave it to my face to say it all for me. That laughing baby is a perfect reflection of what you put into the world.

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

    • You made me giggle with your story, dear Cupcake. My mom does the same thing with the mirror, trying so hard to get me to react in some way. Silly moms. πŸ™‚ Thank you for your kind words about what I put into the world – I’m touched as always.
      Lots of love,
      Wiles

  5. fredrieka Says:

    hahaha happy face

  6. What a brilliant video – clearly need to see more! Won’t be long before she’s on the move!

  7. The best think is that you can keep her laughing in your memories and you can enjoy it again and again, whenever you need it :o)

  8. […] A Baby Laughing | Wiley’s Wisdom […]

  9. […] A Baby Laughing | Wiley’s Wisdom […]

  10. […] A Baby Laughing | Wiley’s Wisdom […]

  11. […] A Baby Laughing | Wiley’s Wisdom […]

  12. writetowag Says:

    Awwwwww to the max!!!! I can feel the JOY!!!!

  13. […] DOOR 147. Mirror, Mirror | 365 Days of Thank You 148. Riding the Number Line | field of thorns 149. A Baby Laughing | Wiley’s Wisdom 150. Daily prompt: Priorities | helen meikle’s scribblefest 151. On mirrors and clichΓ©s | […]

  14. Reblogged this on Wiley's Wisdom and commented:

    If joy had a sound, a baby laughing would be it.


Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out /  Change )

Connecting to %s