Journaling, meditating, and sticking with my rituals has helped keep me motivated and focused. Sometimes I forget this. Last week I was extremely anxious. I had fallen out of my routine. After a couple of days, I realized that I needed to be more consistent. After some journaling and a grounding meditation, I felt at peace. I just need to stick to my routine and the joy will follow.
The joy and laughter that accompany memories of past experiences that were not humorous at the time, but upon reflection, bring me (and sometimes others too) giggles and joy!
Joy found me one day,
early in September 2012,
shortly after we moved into this house . . .
the first and hopefully only home we have bought together.
I was happily cleaning and unpacking things in the kitchen,
trying to decide what should go where.
The windows were open
and it was a beautiful day.
The cats were still exploring
and getting used to their new abode,
scouting about in all of the corners and closets,
shelves and counters.
Of course I had several things going on at once,
with plants also waiting to be transplanted to bigger pots,
and I had a quiche in the oven.
I was thinking that I needed to get the counters cleared off
so I could give the floor a good washing,
as there were dust bunnies everywhere,
including clouds of them
caught in the girls’ upward facing and sideways whiskers.
It took very little effort on their part
to charm me with their bright, shiny eyes,
and their cold predator’s hearts.
I happened to look down
and noticed the one of the dust motes
seemed to have moved of its own volition . . .
then it noticeably jumped.
The girls noticed this too,
but I made it to the ‘mote’ before they did
and picked it up.
It took a few minutes
to determine that is was a small toad,
barely an inch and a half long.
He was so coated that he could barely move.
I went to the sink with him
and slowly, gently,
ran lukewarm water over him
and gently detached him from his prison . . .
frightened near to death he was.
I took him out
and let him go under one of the hostas in the garden,
where he would be safer than in the house.
Those moments
gave me immeasurable joy . . .
it made my day,
and is an experience I still treasure
and still feel that same joy
whenever I think of them. 🙂
Loved watching pollywogs metamorphosis, some into toads or some into frogs. My brothers and I would scoop them from a pond near our home, put them in an aquarium, feed, and wait for the magic of life. Thank you for the memory jog, dear Sparrow.
I did that too,
dear Joseph,
when i lived in that little fish house in Maine . . . .
it was wonderful
to see them transform
almost before my very eyes. ♥
This past Thursday the 14th was my birthday.
My daughter & I spent my “big day” visiting the Art Institute in Chicago & many other fun places in the Windy City.
She planned everything, from staying in a fabulous hotel in the Loop to dinner out at an amazing Mediterranean restaurant. My “birthday party” was filled with unexpected delights, surprise, laughter & joy.
And to spend time with my daughter, ( thee best gift I have ever received), made my heart sing. We both were filled with joy. ♥️
Okay, it took me a minute. For me, the word joy or joyful, can be described as in the flow state. Focused on and in the moment and the momentary absence of suffering. I’m currently sitting next to a trail in the high Sierra (with cell reception!) that I have ridden my bike on many times. It’s a truly an amazing spot. The trail is like a ribbon of flowing dirt. I know the feeling of riding past this exact spot and feeling such an overwhelming sensation of joy. Everything coming together. As I sit here now, without my bike, I feel happiness and gratitude. As we pulled up to this campsite last night, I was thinking about a friend that I have ridden this trail with quite a bit, and as we came into cell range, his was the first text to come through.
I swam in a lake and a river on Friday. Definitely brought me joy. It wasn’t a surprise, as swimming in a natural body of water definitely brings me great joy.
As I sit here overlooking an alpine lake with mountains stretching out as far as I can see, I’m grateful to be connected with this wonderful group of humans.
And I have cell service! So strange. 🙏😁
We had another question on joy not that long ago and I commented that I generally refer to daily delights and save the word “joy” for something deeper, more exalting, something that makes me feel like a big bubble is expanding inside my chest and practically lifting me off my feet. Maybe I’m overthinking the vocabulary.
My daily delights are simple ones and joys can be too. When I signed up for improv classes through our parks and rec a year ago in January I didn’t know it would lead to making new friends and ultimately becoming part of a troupe that performs on stage in our little town. That has all been an unexpected joy and I’ve mentioned it before.
This week I reached out to one of the troupe members who seemed a little down and asked if she wanted to do something Saturday. She immediately said yes. Yesterday we ended up having the most wonderful day: running errands together, a walk in a beautiful state park I hadn’t been to before that she knows well so she could show me her favorite ancient “grandfather tree”, going to a nearby little town with a cute downtown where we shopped and went out to dinner. Ended up spending the entire day together and it was delightful (or joyous, for this question). Talked the whole time and deepened this new friendship.
I’m now thinking that I’ll reach out to each individual in the troupe and ask if they want to get coffee or something. We’re very comfortable performing together, with a high level of trust, and yet the rehearsals are always with the entire group. I’d like to have that deeper individual connection as well, at least at some level. More friendship joy to come.
Last week I was able to enjoy 2 nights of respite from my care supporting responsibilities. I was immersed in a facility that has nature all around. A pair of sandhill cranes visited the dining room windows each meal. Just recalling that experience brings renewed joy.
I’m so glad for you to get some rest, Yram! And the crane visits sound wonderful. I live in a state that has a sandhill crane festival each year as they come through on their migratory path. One of these years I want to go to that.
I practiced something brought up yesterday. I suffer from negativity. Today, as was suggested I let it expand to its full life. Let it get in every nook and corner of my mind. It evaporated! It’ll come again but I have a way to deal with it. Thanks for the suggestion!
I was hot and tired after a sweaty run on Saturday. My husband and I were in a town known for its small beach and swimming dock. I was feeling too blah to jump in, but after he did it, I followed … and the water was cold, but so refreshing. Swimming back to the beach, I was surrounded by laughing families, dogs, and people just enjoying summer. The wood on the dock was warm on my feet. Jumping in a lake is almost a guaranteed moment of joy, how do I forget every time?
I had an unexpected joy last night while walking the dog. I noticed something caught his attention and looking closer I saw a young doe munching on bushes on the golf course.
While driving home from a hectic week Friday, I drove my usual path. To my surprise a small strip of alfalfa on the highway had been mowed. I love that smell! My stress vanished and I had a wonderful smile the rest of my drive. Blessings on a restful Sunday 🌻☮️
Last night – had a nice dinner with my son and his gf (she had made a delicious beef stew, I picked up dessert – a tasty mango key lime pie and cherry pie) then we watched Hellraiser and talked about all the scary movies we plan on watching for Halloween spooky season.
Joy continues to surprise me on this path. From my friend texting me a few weeks ago asking if I’d be interested in teaching somewhere he also teaches to my husband showing me the photo memories on his phone yesterday, showing pictures of his from the night we went dancing on the Folly Beach Pier… that was the night we fell in love. It was fun thinking back on that and also on how far we’ve come in a short 6 years together.
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Journaling, meditating, and sticking with my rituals has helped keep me motivated and focused. Sometimes I forget this. Last week I was extremely anxious. I had fallen out of my routine. After a couple of days, I realized that I needed to be more consistent. After some journaling and a grounding meditation, I felt at peace. I just need to stick to my routine and the joy will follow.
The joy and laughter that accompany memories of past experiences that were not humorous at the time, but upon reflection, bring me (and sometimes others too) giggles and joy!
Joy found me one day,
early in September 2012,
shortly after we moved into this house . . .
the first and hopefully only home we have bought together.
I was happily cleaning and unpacking things in the kitchen,
trying to decide what should go where.
The windows were open
and it was a beautiful day.
The cats were still exploring
and getting used to their new abode,
scouting about in all of the corners and closets,
shelves and counters.
Of course I had several things going on at once,
with plants also waiting to be transplanted to bigger pots,
and I had a quiche in the oven.
I was thinking that I needed to get the counters cleared off
so I could give the floor a good washing,
as there were dust bunnies everywhere,
including clouds of them
caught in the girls’ upward facing and sideways whiskers.
It took very little effort on their part
to charm me with their bright, shiny eyes,
and their cold predator’s hearts.
I happened to look down
and noticed the one of the dust motes
seemed to have moved of its own volition . . .
then it noticeably jumped.
The girls noticed this too,
but I made it to the ‘mote’ before they did
and picked it up.
It took a few minutes
to determine that is was a small toad,
barely an inch and a half long.
He was so coated that he could barely move.
I went to the sink with him
and slowly, gently,
ran lukewarm water over him
and gently detached him from his prison . . .
frightened near to death he was.
I took him out
and let him go under one of the hostas in the garden,
where he would be safer than in the house.
Those moments
gave me immeasurable joy . . .
it made my day,
and is an experience I still treasure
and still feel that same joy
whenever I think of them. 🙂
Dear Sparrow, how sweet & kind the way you lovingly cared for “Mr. Toad”. Your story touched my heart. 😊♥️
Mr. Toad 🙂
was a vulnerable being
in desperate need of rescuing,
dear PKR . . .
how could I not help? ♥
Loved watching pollywogs metamorphosis, some into toads or some into frogs. My brothers and I would scoop them from a pond near our home, put them in an aquarium, feed, and wait for the magic of life. Thank you for the memory jog, dear Sparrow.
I did that too,
dear Joseph,
when i lived in that little fish house in Maine . . . .
it was wonderful
to see them transform
almost before my very eyes. ♥
This past Thursday the 14th was my birthday.
My daughter & I spent my “big day” visiting the Art Institute in Chicago & many other fun places in the Windy City.
She planned everything, from staying in a fabulous hotel in the Loop to dinner out at an amazing Mediterranean restaurant. My “birthday party” was filled with unexpected delights, surprise, laughter & joy.
And to spend time with my daughter, ( thee best gift I have ever received), made my heart sing. We both were filled with joy. ♥️
That sounds delightful. Happy Birthday and many more.
Happy belated birthday PKR. I’m so glad you had a wonderful time with your daughter.
What a special Birthday spent with your daughter! Happy Birthday!!
It sounds like a wonderful way
to spend your birthday,
dear PKR . . .
a day you will never forget.
Thank you for sharing it with us. ♥
Happy Birthday, PKR!
Okay, it took me a minute. For me, the word joy or joyful, can be described as in the flow state. Focused on and in the moment and the momentary absence of suffering. I’m currently sitting next to a trail in the high Sierra (with cell reception!) that I have ridden my bike on many times. It’s a truly an amazing spot. The trail is like a ribbon of flowing dirt. I know the feeling of riding past this exact spot and feeling such an overwhelming sensation of joy. Everything coming together. As I sit here now, without my bike, I feel happiness and gratitude. As we pulled up to this campsite last night, I was thinking about a friend that I have ridden this trail with quite a bit, and as we came into cell range, his was the first text to come through.
I swam in a lake and a river on Friday. Definitely brought me joy. It wasn’t a surprise, as swimming in a natural body of water definitely brings me great joy.
As I sit here overlooking an alpine lake with mountains stretching out as far as I can see, I’m grateful to be connected with this wonderful group of humans.
And I have cell service! So strange. 🙏😁
I think too,
dear Charlie,
that ‘joy can be the absence of suffering.’
I have felt ‘out of body’ before,
when suffering suddenly stops. ♥
We had another question on joy not that long ago and I commented that I generally refer to daily delights and save the word “joy” for something deeper, more exalting, something that makes me feel like a big bubble is expanding inside my chest and practically lifting me off my feet. Maybe I’m overthinking the vocabulary.
My daily delights are simple ones and joys can be too. When I signed up for improv classes through our parks and rec a year ago in January I didn’t know it would lead to making new friends and ultimately becoming part of a troupe that performs on stage in our little town. That has all been an unexpected joy and I’ve mentioned it before.
This week I reached out to one of the troupe members who seemed a little down and asked if she wanted to do something Saturday. She immediately said yes. Yesterday we ended up having the most wonderful day: running errands together, a walk in a beautiful state park I hadn’t been to before that she knows well so she could show me her favorite ancient “grandfather tree”, going to a nearby little town with a cute downtown where we shopped and went out to dinner. Ended up spending the entire day together and it was delightful (or joyous, for this question). Talked the whole time and deepened this new friendship.
I’m now thinking that I’ll reach out to each individual in the troupe and ask if they want to get coffee or something. We’re very comfortable performing together, with a high level of trust, and yet the rehearsals are always with the entire group. I’d like to have that deeper individual connection as well, at least at some level. More friendship joy to come.
Last week I was able to enjoy 2 nights of respite from my care supporting responsibilities. I was immersed in a facility that has nature all around. A pair of sandhill cranes visited the dining room windows each meal. Just recalling that experience brings renewed joy.
I’m so glad for you to get some rest, Yram! And the crane visits sound wonderful. I live in a state that has a sandhill crane festival each year as they come through on their migratory path. One of these years I want to go to that.
I practiced something brought up yesterday. I suffer from negativity. Today, as was suggested I let it expand to its full life. Let it get in every nook and corner of my mind. It evaporated! It’ll come again but I have a way to deal with it. Thanks for the suggestion!
I read once that we have to train our minds, it is natural to have negative thoughts
Joy is always there when I have eyes to see and ears to hear.
I was hot and tired after a sweaty run on Saturday. My husband and I were in a town known for its small beach and swimming dock. I was feeling too blah to jump in, but after he did it, I followed … and the water was cold, but so refreshing. Swimming back to the beach, I was surrounded by laughing families, dogs, and people just enjoying summer. The wood on the dock was warm on my feet. Jumping in a lake is almost a guaranteed moment of joy, how do I forget every time?
I had an unexpected joy last night while walking the dog. I noticed something caught his attention and looking closer I saw a young doe munching on bushes on the golf course.
While driving home from a hectic week Friday, I drove my usual path. To my surprise a small strip of alfalfa on the highway had been mowed. I love that smell! My stress vanished and I had a wonderful smile the rest of my drive. Blessings on a restful Sunday 🌻☮️
Nothing like the smell of mown hay🌱☀️
no idea why my response did not post..
You can contact Gratefulness,
dear Michele,
and they can find it for you . . .
this happened to me once.
Last night – had a nice dinner with my son and his gf (she had made a delicious beef stew, I picked up dessert – a tasty mango key lime pie and cherry pie) then we watched Hellraiser and talked about all the scary movies we plan on watching for Halloween spooky season.
https://nationaltoday.com/black-cat-appreciation-day/
https://nationaltoday.com/national-massachusetts-day/
https://nationaltoday.com/national-thrift-shop-day/
Joy continues to surprise me on this path. From my friend texting me a few weeks ago asking if I’d be interested in teaching somewhere he also teaches to my husband showing me the photo memories on his phone yesterday, showing pictures of his from the night we went dancing on the Folly Beach Pier… that was the night we fell in love. It was fun thinking back on that and also on how far we’ve come in a short 6 years together.
May joy surprise us all today and every day.