It didn’t come with a bang. No music swelled. No sky cracked open.
They were washing dishes.
The plate was warm in their hands, the sponge soft and worn. Water ran over their skin, carrying the faint scent of lemon soap.
And then—a fullness.
Not excitement. Not pleasure. Just fullness. Like everything in the world had silently exhaled and taken its place.
The sunlight through the window landed on the counter, and it wasn’t beautiful. It was what it was. A rectangle of light. And it was enough.
They didn’t smile. There was no need to. The moment didn’t ask for a performance.
This joy didn’t rise from winning anything. It wasn’t the satisfaction of being right, or the thrill of being wanted. It wasn’t tied to any outcome at all.
It wasn’t even happiness.
It was closer to stillness.
And strangely, it was most present when nothing was happening.
Sitting in traffic. Hearing the kettle begin to boil. Watching dust hang in the air like quiet confetti.
Once, these moments had been ignored. Filler. Time between the real parts. Now they shimmered. Not because they were extraordinary, but because they asked for nothing.
And maybe that was it.
Maybe joy is what remains when life is no longer required to entertain you.
There had been so many years of reaching. For meaning, for ecstasy, for passion. As if joy was a prize that waited at the end of effort.
But this joy didn’t need to be earned. It arrived in absence. In the absence of needing something else.
And it had a flavor. Not sweet. Not salty. Something like clear water after a long walk.
Sometimes it came with tears. Not from sadness. From awe. Awe that this —this totally ordinary, ridiculous, fleeting life—was here. Was happening. And didn’t need to be different.
There was no need to capture it. No urge to write it down. Even the thought of sharing it seemed funny. Like trying to mail someone the feeling of wind on your face.
It just was.
Later that day, someone asked if they were doing okay.
"Yes," they said, and meant it.
Not because everything was perfect. Because nothing needed to be.
And that, they were beginning to see, was the secret.
Joy doesn’t require pleasure. It doesn’t resist pain.
It simply arrives when there is nothing left to chase.
And sometimes, it shows up while doing the dishes.
For more pointers and suggestions, check out this link to vince-bot using the website as its knowledge base.
Vince Schubert YouTube Channel
Free online meetups every Saturday at 9 pm (Sydney Australia time) 
and one each Monday 7 am ( Sydney Australia time) 
and each Wednesday at 4 pm (Sydney Australia time) 
and every Friday 7 am (Sydney time) - never published.
You can check your local time here:
Or visit the website for countdown timers to each meeting.
Please note that it's always the same time on the same link. Arriving late and leaving early is fine.
Click here to Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86991485768?pwd=WkIvNk9zS1Q0VlVMR3lENW12Um5DQT09
Here is a link to all of the published recordings. 
Audio files can be found here:
There is also paid 1on1 (& also 2 on 1) guiding here: With vince &/or Marius
Although the website still requires a lot of work, there are resources here; WakingUpWithVince.com
..and more here; WakingUpWithMarius
Given the multitude of small costs (that add up to something significant) required to produce these offerings, please consider donating whatever you can comfortably afford. Moneys over and above running costs are directed to the establishment of Suan Jai Sanctuary.
..and remember - lots of little bits make a big bit. ❤️



Joy now.
Ecstasy now.
Peace now.
Perfection is now.
The master finds perfection now.
Wisdom now.
It’s always, and already here in the heart space; we just might be more interested in thought forms, beliefs, and going on a journey.