Bridge of joy

The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference.

– Audre Lorde (1934-1992), Caribbean-American author and activist

The Joy of God

The love of God in the heart is like sunshine.
It shines out at the eyes and brightens the face,
and makes even very plain people beautiful.

– from The Beautiful Tree of Life, a collection of Christian writings published by B. F. Johnson and Co., 1892.