A Simple Act of Joy

I was driving home recently when I discovered something very unique and powerful. It was a simple act of joy from a guy who probably had the most boring and unrewarding job on the planet. He was holding a road sign and directing traffic past a construction crew. As each car passed, he smiled and danced, waving his arms and moving his body to an unheard beat. I laughed a little and briefly wondered if he was on meth.

For days in a row, I drove past this same scene. No, the dancer wasn’t a druggie, but rather a guy who found a way to make the best of having to stand for hours in the cold, switching a sign from slow to stop.

At first, he was the only guy dancing, but after a couple of days, the guy on the other end of the lane started dancing with his sign too. They always made me feel good, so each time I drove past them, I would smile and wave, moving my own body around in a seated dance.

The state of the world these days is rather disconcerting, so the value of this young man’s simple act of joy really hit me. So many people are going about their day in distress and here is this man choosing to be joyful instead, and unwittingly causing others to join his little party.

I have so much appreciation for what he was doing. I doubt he put any real thought into it, but in his determination to uplift himself he positioned himself to uplift others. He certainly uplifted me.

The profound impact of his actions probably escapes most people, but let me point out the important lessons I gleaned from him.

1. He reminded me that we always have a choice to feel good, no matter what.
2. If you don’t love your situation, then you need to look for ways to make it fun.
3. Uplifting others starts with uplifting yourself (you can’t give away what you don’t have).
4. Leadership is about setting a positive example.
5. Attitude is everything.
6. It’s okay to get your freak on now and then. That’s when you’ve got the most healing power.
7. Everyone needs someone to interrupt their inner demon.
8. Joy is contagious and is the only contagion worth contracting.
9. Joy is the only contagion worthy of your attention.
10. A generous spirit pays you dividends (you get what you give).
11. A generous spirit inspires generosity in others.
12. If you act more enthusiastic, you will become more enthusiastic.
13. Revisiting a good feeling memory is way better than revisiting a bad feeling memory.
14. Joy reverberates for as long as you let it and can be recalled at any moment.
15. Life doesn't give you meaning. You give meaning to life!
16. A job is as important as you want it to be.
17. Small things have great impact.

After passing this road sign dancer so many days in a row, it occurred to me that the guys could all use a treat, so I did what any self-respecting Canadian would do and brought them coffee and doughnuts. The dancer was wildly appreciative. That made me feel even better. I thanked him for making the world a better place and then went happily on with my day.

Whenever I need to reach for a good feeling thought, The Road Sign Dancer will be high on my list. The power of his joy goes on and on.

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