Bit-of-Joy #3
Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are. – Marianne Williamson
My favorite part of this quote is the phrase ‘what happens to us’ because joy is more than a feeling, rather it is a state of being that envelopes us when we look for the good in life. We recognize the good, we express gratitude — and joy arrives like a gift at the door.
Often we spend our lives chasing – success, wealth, happiness – but if we breathe a simple ‘gratitude’ into the present moment – joy arrives like a gift at the door.
Nature and smiling baby faces often remind me – what reminds you?
I like this one a lot, Janet. Your two things remind me. So do open, unscheduled days and the perfect comment or passage in a book at the exact right moment.
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Ah yes – the synchronicity of reading something at the perfect moment!
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Yes! This. Joy is what happens to you when you practice gratitude. Being out in nature does it for me, every time. I love that you are doing this Janet, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
Deb
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Glad this one clicked for you! Marianne Williamson has some great stuff!
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Hi Janet, Nature for me brings me joy. I find joy in the sunrise or sunset when I go for my regular runs or when I sit on our balcony at the Coast and just watch the ocean waves roll in and out. A brilliant blue sky. Most of all my grandson, Ethan who is now 4, taught me to find joy again. I’ve minded him each Wednesday since he was born and I discovered life through his eyes. My newest grandson Elliot is 5 weeks old and when I look at both him and his older brother Ethan my heart just swells with joy. Have a beautiful day, Janet.
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Water is fabulous isn’t it! While I don’t live close enough to the ocean to watch waves roll, I’m fortunate to live a few miles from Lake Michigan. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and just down the block from the bay. I took it for granted but have realized with the years that I thrive near water: ocean, lake, river, babbling brook….and children, always children.
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all of the above – last night driving off with the family to watch the grandson in a performance of ‘the faraway tree’ we saw the most beautiful sunset that took over all the sky with radiant golden hues and pinks and amazing wintery cloud formations – all our spirits lifted with the sight and then the beauty of the children so earnest in their performing – I like that we can recognise joy when it knocks at the door….
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Sounds like a beautiful evening! If you are seeing wintery clouds you must be in Australia? We enjoyed 95 degrees to watch the July 4th Fireworks last night.
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