In all this turmoil, recognizing and highlighting moments of joy is more important than ever. Admittedly not being myself for the last two months, if not longer, I am diving into a book title “Write Yourself Happy” and dedicating at least 15 minutes a day to do just that.
That may be easier for some than others but finding time to sit down and not feel guilty about not doing the other stuff that needs done is hard for me. Not impossible but so hard it’s rarely done and I regret that. We’re supposed to not live with regrets but I do.
The first prompt, if you will, is to write about joy. Something that is bringing you joy in whatever moment you find yourself in. Today, I notice it a lot more. The sun shining down on my arms, wearing a t-shirt for the first time in many, many months. Breathing in fresh air while the birds chirp and my dog sits stoically beside me.
I found joy in rescuing a slug from drying out on this hot day. Joy in the happiness my photo of a visiting owl is bringing fellow nature loves. So much joy in listening to my husband patiently teach our son something he is passionate about and the ahha! moments my son is realizing. Joy is in the moment of finding and listening to a great book (Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty) while the breeze lifts leaves and drops them silently.
Joy today is fitting into a sweater I haven’t been able to wear for a year or more. Joy is breathe and reminds me of a wonderful book by a beautiful person – Kiss the Joy As It Flies by Sheree Fitch. And the progress my son is making with his YouTube channel for book reviews, and Twitter account! The way I could share my love of reading with him and desire to celebrate authors and good books.
Joy is the people who connect and ask you how you are feeling, wanting an honest answer and the people who you want to give it to, to share it with. And today, what truly brings me joy, is being able to share with all of you even if it’s virtually.
So if you’re not your best self these days I do recommend highlighting the small bits of joy you are experiencing and see how they multiply.
Please consider commenting with your moments of joy, no matter how small you think they may be.
And, as always, thanks for reading!
Sarah Butland