Ode to Joy
I was writing this morning when I randomly thought of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy.” I played it while I finished my coffee, then looked up its history: considered one of the most triumphant, joy-filled pieces ever composed. The official anthem of the European Union. Written by a man who was deaf.
When Beethoven premiered the symphony, he couldn't hear the audience. Someone had to turn him around to see the standing ovation.
He composed joy he couldn't hear. And I thought: what if that was our ambition too? Not just to get through the day, but to compose it deliberately, with joy as the objective.
This is where scripting comes in. Every morning, I write my day before it happens. Present tense. My perfect day described.
I organize it loosely around the parts of my life that matter most:
Body — How do I want to feel physically? Rested, energized, nourished. Maybe it's a walk, a nap, drinking enough water.
Connection — Who do I want to be present with today? A conversation with a friend. Laughing with my daughter. Really listening to someone.
Work — What would make today feel meaningful, not just productive? One contribution that matters. Leaving a room better than I found it.
Joy — What simple pleasure am I claiming? A great cup of coffee. The new restaurant in town. Binge-watching a show. Often the smallest things.
We don't control everything but we control more than we think.
I'd like to perform my own Ode to Joy each day. What better way to honor the life we've been given than to compose it on purpose?