Joy Feeds the Soul – #JusJoJan

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I woke up in a joyful mood this morning. Everything I have seen, watched, or read seems to have an element of joy contained within it. Is that the law of attraction at work or does joy simply show up on your doorstep when you need it the most?

Last night the moon was bright in the sky. It reflected off the snow so brightly – nature’s nightlight. This morning is a sunny and beautiful winter day. There will be a gradual melting of the snow as the temperatures rise.

I saw this video while I was enjoying my coffee this morning. It made me feel such joy, and joy – like love – should be spread. I hope you find it as inspiring as I did. Plants give off bio rhythms and this device uses those rhythms to generate music. This video is from mushrooms in Hawaii.

I received an email a few days ago. In 2022, our high school graduating class will be celebrating our 50th reunion. Whew! 50 years is a long time. I am ever thankful to have reached this stage in my life. All the aches and pains are minor inconveniences to be able to experience the joys that surround me.

A song popped in my head this morning that I have not thought of in years. I know this song well, and honestly I do not remember it as a hymn. Of course I had to find a version sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford. It makes me happy. Maybe if we all could focus on brightening the corner where we are, the world would be a lighter and brighter place.

HAVE A JOY FILLED DAY!

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Written as part of Linda Hill’s JusJoJan.

Prompt word today (joy) submitted by theindieshe from theindieshe.

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10 Little Things

Day 103

Today I feel light and lighthearted so I want my post to reflect my mood. So, I thought I’d share 10 Little Things that made me happy today.

1. I heard my granddaughter say I love you for the first time today.
2. Hubby and I walked 2 miles in 36 degrees F with a windchill of 30 F. It felt good!
3. I watched the movie Management and fell in love with lots of old songs again.
4. I love hearing my husband strum the guitar.
5. I donated all the things I organized yesterday to our local hospice thrift store.
6. Our salmon did not thaw in time to cook so we had peas and wild rice for dinner!
7. I put clean flannel sheets on my bed and they are covered with cardinals and chickadees.
8. Hubby bought me a throw and it is a beautiful gold color and SO warm.
9. I resolved an issue I had with a short story I’m writing and I love it!
10. The camellia bush in my back yard has a single blossom. In January!

I just love days like today. It’s so easy to get caught up in all the hoopla going on in the world, but I think finding joy and staying light is where I need to be. I will brighten the corner where I live. Hope you can do the same.

And now I leave you with this little nugget. Crank it up loud.

Finding My Groove

Day 87

Tomorrow is the last day of December. It was a difficult month. Tomorrow is also the last day of the year, bringing 2018 to a close. It wasn’t always an easy year, but I don’t want to say it was a bad year because that casts an unwanted shadow on all the joy that 2018 brought into my life.

As I have stated before, I’m not a New Year’s resolution kind of person. I like to think about the coming year and what my hopes, goals, and dreams are for the future. As I have been thinking of how I can make the new year lighter, I think I’ve found a rather nice groove.

What does that mean exactly? It means I feel an aura of contentment. I feel like I know where I am headed. I know what I want to remove from my life. I feel like I am grounded and moving in a positive direction. It’s nice to be able to say that.

As I told a few of my friends when I recall my memories of people I have lost it always brings the same thought to mind. They loved life! I have the chance every day to live the life they can no longer enjoy. I’m not talking about important jobs, big houses or extravagant purchases. I’m talking about the breathing part of life. The place where joy lives.

Joy lives in little things. Today it was watching two Carolina wrens bathing in a puddle the rain left on the top of our patio table. It was delightful.

For me, joy lives in the full moon that lights up the trees, the blaze of orange that rises out of a sunset, and the magic of new-fallen snow. Joy lives in my writing, my friendships and the love of my family. It is my constant companion if I am willing to create space for it.

I am taking a couple of wonderful writing classes. They are inspiring me beyond belief! I have found a few goals I hope to achieve in the early part of 2019. I am excited and filled with anticipation. I have wonderful friends — old and new — and family that loves me. I have a husband that is a kind and gentle soul. How could I not be joyful?

The coming week will be difficult as we honor the life of our Mom. I will add her to the list of people who loved life and would be living it to the fullest. She would be planning the next meal, the next party, the next event or the next trip even before the current one had come to a close. I will honor her by living and loving life as much as she did.

Today I watched a video of a gentleman’s weight loss journey. The video ended with this question:

If you knew success was a certainty, what would you attempt to do?

I am enjoying this groove I’m in. I will have challenges and hurdles but I will look back on 2018 with the knowledge that it brought me more joy than sadness. What more could I ask for?

“Among the greatest tragedies is a person who believes that they aren’t meant to win–by winning I mean find their purpose, passion and joy in life.
They believe that other people have better DNA or happiness genes or something, but that they themselves are missing a critical chromosome.
This is a lie and it is begging to be un-believed.
For the moment we know the truth about ourselves, we can take both responsibility for our own lives and inspired action to create exactly the life which is our birthright.
In other words, you were meant to win. You were created for joy.” 
Jacob Nordby