With joy we are open to new experiences and new possibilities. And really – if happiness is not one of our goals – what on earth are we doing? If there is no joy in your day, perhaps it’s time to look for it – seek out ways to bring it to the surface. We can find whatever we are open to discovering.  

The strength that she speaks of is really the effort required to begin creating after, often years after, you’ve been told that you cannot write or paint or sing or whatever.  It is strength to ignore the inner critic and the often noisier external ones.