Reinstating Joy List Mondays and Being True to Your Heart

It's been a while since I've done a Joy List Monday post here on my blog. It's been a while since I've written a Joy List at all. There are many reasons for this but none of them make up for the fact that I haven't been embracing that practice.

Miniature roses, roses, garden, container gardening, Tena Rose, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

Joy Lists are part of my mission. One of the free gifts that I send you when you sign up for my newsletter is a DIY Joy Journal for keeping you Joy Lists.

Joy Lists have helped me through difficult times.

They help me to slow down and to be present.

They help me to be mindful and aware.

They instill a sense of gratitude.

I wholeheartedly believe that they're beneficial for everyone.

And yet... I haven't been keeping them.

No wonder I have been feeling scattered and been having trouble being present.

four leaf clover, spring, garden, Joy List Monday, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

I feel called to return to keeping Joy Lists. Here and privately. It's a return to my mission. It's being true to my heart and the heart of My Giant Strawberry.

I do hope you'll join me. Keep a private list in your Joy Journal or publish it on your blog* or share it on Instagram**. However you choose to practice keeping Joy Lists (do it every day!) will bring more joy, stillness and gratitude to your life.

Joy List Monday: 

a weekly ritual
a reminder to stop and pay attention to the little beauties and graces that make life magical and to set aside time for gratitude each day

My Joy List this week:
  • watching bird visitors and listening to birdsong in and around my garden: wrens, robins, chickadees, orioles, goldfinches, sparrows, woodpeckers, swallows...
  • discovering four and five leaf clovers in the grass
  • the fragrance of lilacs
  • harvesting from the garden for dinner
  • lily of the valley from my parents' garden
  • dirt under my fingernails
  • cooking and eating good food with people I love
  • new garden beds and filling them with flowers and herbs and seeds and other plants
  • grilling and eating outside
  • going for long, long walks with Matthias and the dogs
  • sketching in the garden
  • new adventures and projects
  • taking time to do nothing
dutch baby, spring, lily of the valley, joy, joy list Monday, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

Wishing you a beautiful week filled with tiny magics and much joy.



*If you share your list on your blog, please send me a link to your post so I can share in your joy!

**Use #joylistmonday on Instagram

Comments

  1. Well, I read your post and then immediately went and made one of my own based on what I documented today.

    http://tsdailytreasures.blogspot.com/2016/05/joy-list-monday.html

    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you were inspired to create your own list, Tammy! I'm going to have to pop over and read it. Thank you for sharing! Hope you have a great week, too!

      Delete
  2. I thought I left a comment here the other day but must have forgotten to log in again - silly me! I love your joy list Monday's and am pleased that you will be doing them again. I must remember to start doing them myself again too. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry your comment got lost, Simone!

      Yes, daily Joy Lists make a big difference. Hope you'll write some yourself!

      Delete
  3. So glad you remembered to take time to do nothing. Funny how important that seems these days. And thanks for the reminder to make my own joy lists, and how wonderful to have something to look forward to on Mondays!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Tracey. It's hard to do nothing. I'm always so distracted.

      I hope you've written a list or two since you read this. :) I'm glad to have you stopping by to read mine!

      Delete
  4. Yay! I love the Joy List!
    Going for long walks with the ones you love. xx oo
    Carla

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Carla! I thought I'd replied earlier to this, but I guess not.

      Thanks for stopping by. Yes, long walks are wonderful, especially at this time of year!

      :)


      xo

      Delete

Post a Comment