Looking for Joy -- Joy List Monday
It's Monday, again.
And it sure feels like it.
We all have days like this, when the joy gets eclipsed by everything else that isn't joy. Nothing big. Nothing important. Little things that are irritating. Or annoying. Or frustrating.
But the joy and beauty are still here.
The other day I read something that was a good reminder of this. I don't remember where I read it, but it went something like this: even on cloudy days the sun is still shining -- we just can't see it because the clouds are in the way.
Although we don't have any control over the literal clouds in the sky, we can control our reactions and perceptions. When all the other stuff clouds our view of life's beauty and joy we can pause and look for the beauty and joy.
I started Joy List Monday for just this reason. Some weeks I don't need it as much as others.
This is one of the others.
Won't you join me?
And it sure feels like it.
We all have days like this, when the joy gets eclipsed by everything else that isn't joy. Nothing big. Nothing important. Little things that are irritating. Or annoying. Or frustrating.
But the joy and beauty are still here.
The other day I read something that was a good reminder of this. I don't remember where I read it, but it went something like this: even on cloudy days the sun is still shining -- we just can't see it because the clouds are in the way.
Although we don't have any control over the literal clouds in the sky, we can control our reactions and perceptions. When all the other stuff clouds our view of life's beauty and joy we can pause and look for the beauty and joy.
I started Joy List Monday for just this reason. Some weeks I don't need it as much as others.
This is one of the others.
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
- Stopping to watch a robin in the birch tree in the back yard and taking time to listen to his singing
- A fun outing with my parents
- Getting my studio organized
- Seeing more of the photos from the Handmade Joy Exchange
- Lying on the sofa covered with cats
- Working on my first assignment for MATS Assignment Bootcamp
- Homemade pizza (made for me by my sweetie)
- The first day of spring
- Noticing pansy flowers emerging from the melting snow
- My birthday coming this week (and plans for taking the day off)
I hope your week is filled with joy.
I am sorry you are having a down day Anne. I am glad that it isn't a big thing eclipsing your joy. I have been experiencing anxiety for days and hopefully it will be over by Wednesday! The MATS bootcamp looks really interesting and I hope you have fun with it and don't feel pressured. I have one of Lilla's books called 'I just want to make things'. The photo of kitty by window is great! I am glad that you get covered with cats on the sofa! My joy list today is:
ReplyDeleteReceiving my handmade joy exchange from Denmark!
Finishing a pile of ironing.
Going out with my walking group after a few weeks absence.
The garden turning more green as we head towards spring season.
Seeing bulbs pop up which I planted last fall.
I hope you have a lovely stress free birthday week Anne. :)
Hi, Simone. We all have ups and downs, don't we? The downs make us appreciate the ups so much more.
DeleteI'm enjoying Bootcamp and I'm not feeling pressured at all. At first I was afraid I'd feel intimidated, but it's been fun and encouraging so far!
Thanks for sharing your Joy List! Sounds great to me. I hope you have a wonderful birthday yourself!!
I like the quote about the sun always shining. . .I've heard that one before, and I feel it's so good to remember. My Joy List today (sorry, I'm a day late):
ReplyDelete9 hours of sleep last night.
A pretty hand crocheted doily given to me by an elderly friend from church ("something to put under a vase with flowers").
Breakfast of quinoa with figs, banana, walnuts, unsweetened shredded coconut, splashed with vanilla coconut milk (so healthy and so yummy).
15 minutes of exercise.
Now I'm rested, fueled up and ready to create!
Hope you're having a great Tuesday, my friend!
Hugs, Nancy
9 hours of sleep sounds heavenly!! If only my four legged family would let me sleep that long!
DeleteI adore doilies and how sweet to receive one from a friend.
Your breakfast sounds delicious -- I love quinoa, but I haven't made it for breakfast before. I'll have to remind myself to do so!
Hope you're having a great week!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI do hear ya. My youngest son has been in a slump. The same old days, the same old routine. The time change did not help, lost that hour of sleep.
I had him write out a Joy List. xx oo I know it made him smile.
You are inspiration Anne.
Happy Birthday,
Carla
Oh, that is wonderful, Carla! It brings me so much joy to imagine you making your son write a joy list!
DeleteThanks for your sweet words and birthday wishes, too.
Have a wonderful week! (Isn't your birthday around here somewhere? I thought I remembered that ours were close to one another -- even if it's not I'm sending you birthday wishes today!!).