This morning while walking outside in the early morning, the sparkling of fresh fallen snowflakes, blinking like tiny crystals all around, as if reflecting the sparkling stars above me aroused a sense of deep joy.
Snow flurries all day today covers the ground with a beautiful blanket of snow. I work from home on Fridays and although very cold today, I know our boy Stanley (Family dog) wants to go for a walk. Brings me joy seeing how excited he is to go for a walk and sniff out so many places on our journey for 30 mins of my lunch break.
When my children were young, I told them their dog Coco was reading the newspaper when she was sniffing all about. My daughter has told her two children the same!
I didn’t make it to the Daily Question this morning. Was dealing with some physical issues but rading everyone’s response this eveing has brought me joy. Thak you all for being here.
We had snow and ice for a few days this week. In our west coast city, that means that many things shut down, and people stay home ! It has been and is a delight to walk in unploughed or gently ploughed streets, to observe and sometimes connect with people at walk and / or play, and to stumble upon snow people, forts and sometimes their happy creators in process! I love the quiet, peaceful slowing down … It feels a bit like Christmas in January, which is pure joy and delight in my wee world …
As I sit today in Apalachicola National Forest…I watch my cat in the sun sitting in the windshield of our motorhome…reaching for the sun! What joy that brings me!! My dog, Clancy laying in the sun in our patch of the campground…nothing makes him happier than the sun!! Nora, my other cat sleeping soundly on our bed…My hot cup of tea this morning, reading emails from my nieces… Coming here to this site and reading the reflections of all the wonderful people that visit here on a daily basis…all of you are a very important part of my day. When someone who is a “regular” doesn’t respond to the day’s question..I worry ….and wonder if they are OK. The sun is shining through the trees…and all is quiet…yes simple and delightful joys!!
When I gather with my family, there’s a feeling of joy in everybody’s laughs, everybody’s stories. Over there, I don’t have to look for joy; it’s already there. I am waiting for a chance to cherish my family this year.
I am finding unexpected joy in an onslaught of birds suddenly playing in my backyard. The yard is deep with snow, and there is plenty of snow on the evergreens, but that isn’t stopping them. It has been awhile since I’ve seen a single bird out there. A fun treat on a frigid day!
I may be overthinking this. “Joy” is a big word to me. Feeling joyful is more rare than finding delight, which I find in simple things every time and everywhere I look for it. It’s there waiting for me to experience it. I’ve mentioned before that I record a daily list of delights thanks to reading Ross Gay’s A Book of Delights. These are always simple things: an apricot sunset over the hills, emerald moss blanketing a stump like a shawl thrown over its shoulders, the flavors of something delicious, the sounds of water or wind, unexpectedly encountering a friend in downtown and engaging in spontaneous shopping and talking together, the soft fur under my cat’s chin and the way he stretches it up when I’m rubbing it and leans into the skritching.
Joy is a step up. I most consistently find joy in riding my bike because I feel so free and have the sensations of my body moving me through the world at a speed above walking, but still slow enough to enjoy the world around me. I’m connected in a way that driving can never provide and free to stop and look at something or talk to someone in a way that riding transit doesn’t allow.
I occasionally have a sensation I describe as a “joy bubble”: the feeling rising in my chest like something that could burst forth in rainbows. The first time I felt that I was walking through autumn leaves with golden maples arching overhead and a setting like that still often brings it forth. It’s spontaneous and unpredictable and I celebrate it.
I agree with Robin Ann and Nannette – your descriptive words takes you right there along with you. I look forward to your responses each day here. (and everyone else’s too, lol )
So many things.
A hot shower
Curling up under the blanket on a cold night with a good old fashioned hot water bottle
Reading
A cup of coffee
The breeze on my face and watching the leaves dance, especially the early green leaves of spring
A bright sunny day and sunlight pouring in the room even if it’s bitterly cold outside
This website and the community it brings with it
For me, it’s always the simple stuff and
the list is long. Off the top of my head…
Making diner with my wife, petting my cats,
my morning coffee, texting my sister,
a warm morning or evening on the patio,
fresh cleaned sheets, the smell of toast,
birds at dawn, checking things off of my
to-do list, and maybe this isn’t so simple,
but, pondering and responding, and reading
others responses to the Daily Question.
Thank you all for showing up and sharing
here. 🙏
I get pleasure/joy out of making lists. It can be a to do list, a list of books 📚movies I may or may not read or view,
and grocery list.
Thank you for the question! I will be more aware.
A specific example of finding joy for me is transforming spaces that are messes into spaces that are functional, efficient, and beautiful. It might be a shelf, the inside of my car, shining up my bike after a muddy ride, or an entire room. I can be totally in the flow in the process, and en”joy” the outcome.
Sitting here on this website, drinking coffee and listening to healing music. Feeling the energetic benefits of my meditation during and after. Babies smiling at me. Catching a piece of a rainbow in the sky.
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This morning while walking outside in the early morning, the sparkling of fresh fallen snowflakes, blinking like tiny crystals all around, as if reflecting the sparkling stars above me aroused a sense of deep joy.
Snow flurries all day today covers the ground with a beautiful blanket of snow. I work from home on Fridays and although very cold today, I know our boy Stanley (Family dog) wants to go for a walk. Brings me joy seeing how excited he is to go for a walk and sniff out so many places on our journey for 30 mins of my lunch break.
When my children were young, I told them their dog Coco was reading the newspaper when she was sniffing all about. My daughter has told her two children the same!
I didn’t make it to the Daily Question this morning. Was dealing with some physical issues but rading everyone’s response this eveing has brought me joy. Thak you all for being here.
Wishing you comfort and healing Carol.
Soothing thoughts and kindness your way Carol.
We had snow and ice for a few days this week. In our west coast city, that means that many things shut down, and people stay home ! It has been and is a delight to walk in unploughed or gently ploughed streets, to observe and sometimes connect with people at walk and / or play, and to stumble upon snow people, forts and sometimes their happy creators in process! I love the quiet, peaceful slowing down … It feels a bit like Christmas in January, which is pure joy and delight in my wee world …
As I sit today in Apalachicola National Forest…I watch my cat in the sun sitting in the windshield of our motorhome…reaching for the sun! What joy that brings me!! My dog, Clancy laying in the sun in our patch of the campground…nothing makes him happier than the sun!! Nora, my other cat sleeping soundly on our bed…My hot cup of tea this morning, reading emails from my nieces… Coming here to this site and reading the reflections of all the wonderful people that visit here on a daily basis…all of you are a very important part of my day. When someone who is a “regular” doesn’t respond to the day’s question..I worry ….and wonder if they are OK. The sun is shining through the trees…and all is quiet…yes simple and delightful joys!!
Nannette, I love reading your Reflection today from the Apalachicola National Forest…. Sounds so peaceful! Enjoy!
When I gather with my family, there’s a feeling of joy in everybody’s laughs, everybody’s stories. Over there, I don’t have to look for joy; it’s already there. I am waiting for a chance to cherish my family this year.
Watching snow falling gently outside my window right now.
I am finding unexpected joy in an onslaught of birds suddenly playing in my backyard. The yard is deep with snow, and there is plenty of snow on the evergreens, but that isn’t stopping them. It has been awhile since I’ve seen a single bird out there. A fun treat on a frigid day!
I may be overthinking this. “Joy” is a big word to me. Feeling joyful is more rare than finding delight, which I find in simple things every time and everywhere I look for it. It’s there waiting for me to experience it. I’ve mentioned before that I record a daily list of delights thanks to reading Ross Gay’s A Book of Delights. These are always simple things: an apricot sunset over the hills, emerald moss blanketing a stump like a shawl thrown over its shoulders, the flavors of something delicious, the sounds of water or wind, unexpectedly encountering a friend in downtown and engaging in spontaneous shopping and talking together, the soft fur under my cat’s chin and the way he stretches it up when I’m rubbing it and leans into the skritching.
Joy is a step up. I most consistently find joy in riding my bike because I feel so free and have the sensations of my body moving me through the world at a speed above walking, but still slow enough to enjoy the world around me. I’m connected in a way that driving can never provide and free to stop and look at something or talk to someone in a way that riding transit doesn’t allow.
I occasionally have a sensation I describe as a “joy bubble”: the feeling rising in my chest like something that could burst forth in rainbows. The first time I felt that I was walking through autumn leaves with golden maples arching overhead and a setting like that still often brings it forth. It’s spontaneous and unpredictable and I celebrate it.
Very poetic.
I agree with Robin Ann and Nannette – your descriptive words takes you right there along with you. I look forward to your responses each day here. (and everyone else’s too, lol )
Thank you for your upbeat reflection today! Like Nannette said it brings Joy to read it : )
Barb, Your delight in the use of words, descriptions delights me…and brings much joy!! Thank you!
So many things.
A hot shower
Curling up under the blanket on a cold night with a good old fashioned hot water bottle
Reading
A cup of coffee
The breeze on my face and watching the leaves dance, especially the early green leaves of spring
A bright sunny day and sunlight pouring in the room even if it’s bitterly cold outside
This website and the community it brings with it
For me, it’s always the simple stuff and
the list is long. Off the top of my head…
Making diner with my wife, petting my cats,
my morning coffee, texting my sister,
a warm morning or evening on the patio,
fresh cleaned sheets, the smell of toast,
birds at dawn, checking things off of my
to-do list, and maybe this isn’t so simple,
but, pondering and responding, and reading
others responses to the Daily Question.
Thank you all for showing up and sharing
here. 🙏
smell of toast – good one, I love American cheese on toast or sometimes peanut butter.
I get pleasure/joy out of making lists. It can be a to do list, a list of books 📚movies I may or may not read or view,
and grocery list.
Thank you for the question! I will be more aware.
I make lists too:)
Me too! I joke that my whole life is in excel sheets!
Often the mundane brings joy—I love cleaning. Not just because of the repetitive nature. I know I’ll enjoy the result of the effort.
A specific example of finding joy for me is transforming spaces that are messes into spaces that are functional, efficient, and beautiful. It might be a shelf, the inside of my car, shining up my bike after a muddy ride, or an entire room. I can be totally in the flow in the process, and en”joy” the outcome.
Sitting here on this website, drinking coffee and listening to healing music. Feeling the energetic benefits of my meditation during and after. Babies smiling at me. Catching a piece of a rainbow in the sky.