I am very fortunate to be able to say that 2017 was a JOYful year! There are many examples of obvious JOYs, such as time with family and friends spent around dinner tables and living rooms and camp fire and chiminea and fireplace fires, too! There were turkeys and veggies and marshmallows and chocolate shared. We sang songs and played games and watched favorite teams and programs. Little rituals, when one would find my family gathered with neighbors enjoying, "Sheldon Night," most Thursdays last year. Simple daily meals and weekly gatherings are so important for celebrating ourselves and each other. There are major events which can easily be described as JOYful. Most recently, would be the magic of Christmas for a child, even if that child is growing up and knows who Santa's helpers are. I love the exclamations and smiles and loving joy that I am lucky enough to experience at the holidays.
Another form of joy is the joy of achievement. The difference between this kind of JOY and the more obvious ones is the struggles and challenges one must overcome to reach the peak experience. It can be harder to identify the joy in the daily difficulties which are part of the big achievement. One example of this is counting snacks and breakfast items to fulfill grant requirements so that hungry children can get nourishing food without cost to them or their families. A better example is working through the daily outward manifestations of early childhood trauma to be there when a youngster gets his first good grade or finally finds that she loves reading! It is easy to forget that the daily struggles add up to a joyful peak experience. I am certain that all struggles can lead to a JOYful experience, if we allow them to do so.
Discovering the JOY in the struggle is what this year of JOY is about for me. I am in the process of developing gratitude for each struggle, challenge and difficulty as the part of the climb to the achievement of the bigger JOYs in life. I think by finding the tiny particle of positive momentum is what crafting a JOY-full life is all about.
It is already working! This morning, my kiddo challenged me, nearly accused me, of not doing a fair share of the chores in our home. Using an accusatory tone, he asked, "What did you shovel on Christmas day?" (We had about 15 inches of white Christmas!) I stayed calm, but it was very hard. My impish voice tempted me to not do anything for a few days, and see how that worked out. But the loving voice suggested that I answer the question. So, fighting back the peri-menopausal tears, I told him that after spending the day preparing gifts and food keeping pathways clear, I dug out both of the cars in our driveway. Since they were only white hills with drifts halfway up the doors, this was a challenge which took more than 2 hours. (The immediate joy in this was not having to dig them out early the next morning!) He had done a bit of clearing, as needed to get around the house, but he did not work on his chosen responsibility of clearing exterior steps and deck walk ways which serve as emergency exits. Now, in subzero weather, he has to take the task in very small increments. After doing the first 15 minute section of this task, he came inside and asked for ideas of tasks he could do in the house. Then, he listened carefully and he is taking action, even as I write. I think the impish voice would have set us both up for a very rough day of hurt feelings all around.
This JOY is the culmination of many struggles and my mindfulness practice and his desire to earn the freedoms that responsible actions bring. There is the added JOY of tidying up together. For a quick JOY break check out Housework by Carol Channing as she reads it in this YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCVR04-Mtng from Free To Be You and Me by Marlo Thomas and Friends.
There is always evidence to prove what we are looking for, that's why I am looking for JOY!
“Where Attention goes Energy flows; Where Intention goes Energy flows!” ― James Redfield
What are you looking for? Share it in the comments below!
Intending a Joyful New Year for all of us!!!
Another form of joy is the joy of achievement. The difference between this kind of JOY and the more obvious ones is the struggles and challenges one must overcome to reach the peak experience. It can be harder to identify the joy in the daily difficulties which are part of the big achievement. One example of this is counting snacks and breakfast items to fulfill grant requirements so that hungry children can get nourishing food without cost to them or their families. A better example is working through the daily outward manifestations of early childhood trauma to be there when a youngster gets his first good grade or finally finds that she loves reading! It is easy to forget that the daily struggles add up to a joyful peak experience. I am certain that all struggles can lead to a JOYful experience, if we allow them to do so.
Discovering the JOY in the struggle is what this year of JOY is about for me. I am in the process of developing gratitude for each struggle, challenge and difficulty as the part of the climb to the achievement of the bigger JOYs in life. I think by finding the tiny particle of positive momentum is what crafting a JOY-full life is all about.
It is already working! This morning, my kiddo challenged me, nearly accused me, of not doing a fair share of the chores in our home. Using an accusatory tone, he asked, "What did you shovel on Christmas day?" (We had about 15 inches of white Christmas!) I stayed calm, but it was very hard. My impish voice tempted me to not do anything for a few days, and see how that worked out. But the loving voice suggested that I answer the question. So, fighting back the peri-menopausal tears, I told him that after spending the day preparing gifts and food keeping pathways clear, I dug out both of the cars in our driveway. Since they were only white hills with drifts halfway up the doors, this was a challenge which took more than 2 hours. (The immediate joy in this was not having to dig them out early the next morning!) He had done a bit of clearing, as needed to get around the house, but he did not work on his chosen responsibility of clearing exterior steps and deck walk ways which serve as emergency exits. Now, in subzero weather, he has to take the task in very small increments. After doing the first 15 minute section of this task, he came inside and asked for ideas of tasks he could do in the house. Then, he listened carefully and he is taking action, even as I write. I think the impish voice would have set us both up for a very rough day of hurt feelings all around.
This JOY is the culmination of many struggles and my mindfulness practice and his desire to earn the freedoms that responsible actions bring. There is the added JOY of tidying up together. For a quick JOY break check out Housework by Carol Channing as she reads it in this YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCVR04-Mtng from Free To Be You and Me by Marlo Thomas and Friends.
There is always evidence to prove what we are looking for, that's why I am looking for JOY!
“Where Attention goes Energy flows; Where Intention goes Energy flows!” ― James Redfield
What are you looking for? Share it in the comments below!
Intending a Joyful New Year for all of us!!!
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