Pres. Monson's words, "find joy in the journey---now" are more than sound advice, they are good medicine. Some days like today when stress seems thick, JOY is found in the simple everyday things---
- a husband adjusting his tight schedule so that I don't have to take 3 kids to the dentist at 8am
- a son who got a burst of energy an hour before bedtime and did nothing but happily clean (seriously miraculous!)
- a daughter who noticed my furrowed brow and kindly asked, "What's wrong?"
- a daughter who rushed up to say, "I love you" and gave me a kiss on the cheek (countless times throughout the day)
- a daughter who found scores of things to ("WooHoo!") cheer about
- a son who sat on my lap and forced me to have a moment of calm & happy in between long stretches of housework
- a "thank you" note from a neighbor
- glancing over the 2009 family calendar in iPhoto I spent many late nights creating (it should arrive tomorrow) and feeling so blessed to belong to a wonderful, supportive extended family
- making black bean soup (with plenty of bacon) for dinner, and loving that together time, silliness and all.
Here's a thought....find at least one joy (as a recipient or giver of kindness) every day this year and see how 2009 turns out to be. I may not blog my "joys" every day, but I do plan on finding joy every day and seeing where that leads me. My guess is that the economy will continue to be the pits for some time, but life is going to feel meaningful, and even better over time. I think it's no small thing that Pres. Monson spoke these words when he did. "Find joy in the journey...now."
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10 comments:
I love this idea... going to blog it. Reminds me of Pollyanna and playing the Glad game.
Yes, so true! Sometimes we have "blah" moments but there is ALWAYS joy found in each day too. So I have to share a sweet joy moment with you. It's going in Mia's journal blog today: Yesterday I started crying, I don't cry extremely often (maybe Jon would disagree) but Mia saw me and I don't think she knew what to do, Mom crying? Jon said she went to touch me but instead she ran away into the kitchen to grab a dishtowel off the counter. She came back and wiped away my tears. Then she gave me a kiss on the lips (with a closed mouth--a miracle) and a big hug. I was all cheered up! It is sure easy to find joy as a mom!
Ange, that Mia is TOO sweet. Thanks for sharing!
It's so easy to find that joy with so many little ones, isn't it?!
What a great post! Sometimes life is hard, and its nice when we can find little joys along the way!
Just what I needed to hear today. Thanks.
Excellent idea! I think I am going to do this more often and record more of these moments in my blog as well. Thanks for this wonderful idea! I don't ever want to forget these moments 20 years from now.
I love your thoughts on enjoying the small things. There are so many of them if we only take the time to look.
Great post! And next time Thomas has a burst of energy to clean, put him on a plane and send him my way ;)
Rebecca --
I just spent some time visiting your blog -- it just feels good to be here.
I too love President Monson's talk -- of all those given this conference this was the one that spoke most deeply to me.
Thanks for making your virtual home such a a welcome place.
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