Some places where I feel joy are:
in the garden
walking in nature
listening to beautiful music
working with people
being with friends
where are yours?
How would your life be different if you believed joy was the purpose of being alive?
What stands in the way of you experiencing more joy?
It can be removed!
Seems such a “radical” thought that joy could be the reason for our living. In Catholic school I learned that self sacrifice was love and this was the purpose of living. I will continue to contemplate that newer outlook. When I take days to just experience joy I feel I am “wasting” my life. I am questioning that belief today as well. Thanks for a great topic. And I know I need to develop more places in life to experience joy. Smelling fall leaves on a walk is great joy.
Yesterday I had a client cancel, which left me with an unexpected “day off.” Since I am on call 7 days a week, this was, in itself, a source of joy. I decided it was exactly the time I needed to dig out a big bush that was in the way of a planned garden expansion. With the help of two friends who subsequently inherited the bush, I got the job done. It was heavy and dirty. At times it was back-breaking. But I found myself grinning. By the end of the day I had also weeded the whole area, dead-headed anything in need, and generally cleaned the area–ready for something wonderful and new. I will be bringing in 500 pounds of sand to lighten the soil. Then I can add compost. The plants will mostly be divisions or cuttings–so more work. But every time I drive in my driveway, I smile. And neighbors walking by do too. When I glance out the window and see a little goldfinch swinging back and forth on a seedhead of echinacea, I smile. And when a toad takes up residence near the bird-bath, I smile. Isn’t it wonderful that we have so many opportunities to use our creativity to make joy, both for ourselves and others.
What fun Natalie!