Joy 20/82: Stand For

I love it when things you don't expect come from places you wouldn't expect them.  Copyblogger is all about blogging but it somehow manages to weave a healthy dose of life philosophy into the mix.  Yesterday's post included this quote from Madonna:  I stand for freedom of expression, doing what you believe in, and going after your dreams.

I'm not exactly a Madonna fan but I love her statement and think we should all be able to state so clearly and succinctly what we stand for.  So I decided to write my "stand for" statement.  Here it is (elaborated on, of course) and I'd love to hear yours.

I stand for joy ... it is our divine gift, the creative life force breathing through each one of us. 

It is there when we love and laugh and learn.
It is there when we sing and dance and play.
It is there when we share and listen and pray.
It is also there when we weep and falter and fail.

In the midst of loss, there is the joy of having loved.
In the midst of defeat, there is the joy of having tried.
In the midst of shame, there is the joy of being human.
in the midst of error, there is the joy of learning.
In the midst of anger, there is the joy of passion.
In the midst of fear, there is the joy of abundance.
In the midst of hunger, there is the joy of desire.
In the midst of illness, there is the joy of compassion.
In the midst of disaster, there is the joy of sharing.

In violence, there is anger without joy.
In greed, there is hunger without joy.
In hate, there is self-pride without joy.

In war, violence, greed and hate form a joyless team.

Madonna also says:  I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.
Maybe I am a fan.

About the image:  Detail from a Niki de Saint Phalle mosaic.