Every day is a gift. Fill this day with joy.
As I began the month with a double-take of Bit-of-Joy #1 and #2, I end the month with a triple-take for #29, #30, #31 — but I leave you with one final quote, partly because I’m exhausted from my current road trip and partly because this one quote sums it up well.
For me, recognizing that ‘every day is a gift’ emphasizes that each day is filled with potential, opportunity, and promise — even when things feel tough and life is difficult – every day is pregnant with hope.
The phrase ‘fill this day’ reminds me that what we do with each day is up to us. Regardless of what the day brings to me, I can CHOOSE joy.
Tomorrow I will begin the last leg (8 hours) of my 80 hours (5380 mile) road trip that began last Thursday (July 26th). An arduous trip to say the least – and so many bits-of-joy:
- spent two-days traveling with one sister and her daughter – lots of giggles
- had breakfast with my son who is studying in San Francisco
- shared lunch with another sister (and visited with her husband and one son)
- enjoyed dinner with my eldest sister (and her husband)
- spent the night with my little sister (and her husband)
- saw three different elk on the plains in Wyoming
- witnessed at least 50 deer grazing in a pasture along the highway in Nebraska
- passed an alpaca farm
- took a walk along the ocean
- encountered jellyfish – and sand dollars
- witnessed several beautiful sunsets
- and sang old favorites from my iPod at the top of my lungs
Thank you for all those who followed the Bits-of-Joy in July series — whether or not you joined the conversation, I hope that the quotes I shared resonated with you in some way and brought you just a bit-of-joy….
Enjoy your day!
have a rest janet – made me kinda dizzy to see that list and mileage – formidable undertaking – what we do for family – good on you and glad you found joy to be an admirable companion
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Ah – but when we begin to rest, we don’t want to get up and finish the journey….LOL. I am so enjoying my comfortable hotel but I’ll be up and out within the hour. Thanks for joining the conversation.
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Wow! What a wonderful trip! The type I hope to take some day. Thank you so much for sharing, and for the Bits-of-Joy series. I really enJOYed it!
Deb
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Deb – I recommend going more slowly than I did….so much that can be seen along the way if you have the time. Enjoy your day!
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Hi Janet,
I’m glad you completed your Bits of Joy series, even when on your gruelling road trip. I know that finishing is really important to you.
Excellent quote to conclude an excellent series. Safe travels home.
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Karen – each evening when I had no energy to jot my thoughts, I knew I needed to find a way to wrap it up. I think last night worked well. Thanks for joining the series conversation…
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As Is it here drinking coffee in my “Find Joy in Each Day” mug, I’m a bit sorry to see the series end! I came to it mid-way and enjoyed both the quotes and your perspective.
On another note, I was just looking at cross-country road trip routes yesterday. Did you use a specific app to create yours? I’m starting to plan a trip for next spring (I think)… it’s one of the biggies on my bucket list. Not trying to do it in 80 hours though! I’m thinking a few weeks, maybe even a couple of months. Serious planning required!
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Yes – a long, leisurely trip around the country could be lovely. I simply followed Google maps — and my quick route plan at the beginning was not what I followed from Louisiana to California. There are so many options – each with pros and cons. Spring will be a great time to travel – and possibly avoid 117 degrees in the Mojave Desert. Let me know if I can offer tidbits of thought for your planning. Enjoy your day!
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Wow! That was some trip. You deserve to rest now. I like to start and end each day with the following: Thank you for the challenges, opportunity, and beauty of this day.
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Jennifer – what a great way to start and end your day! Simple but profound. Not quite finished with the trip — about 500 miles to go today… which I hope to enJOY – and then a day of rest…
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You took the trip I would only dream of, Janet. How wonderful–and to see so many of your family. I am green.
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Yes – quick but wonderful! Perhaps we crossed paths as we both criss-crossed the country!
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I can not imagine undertaking a drive that long. Good for you for doing it. I like the way you write, kind of poetic.
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Thank you for your kind words – I’m happy you enJOYed it. The drive was a bit intense because of time, but was otherwise quite enjoyable. Thanks for joining the conversation!
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What an awesome adventure and so many things to be grateful for!
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Anne – thanks for visiting and joining the conversation. So much to be grateful for!
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I missed a few of your bits of joy Janet and had to go back and catch myself up! That is a road trip and a half – so glad you found joy along the way (and lots of socializing to break up the driving).
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Leanne – thanks for catching up! Despite the long drive, I enjoyed a wonderful time!
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Hi Janet – back again for #MLSTL and also just wanted to thank you again for your guest post last weekend – it was lovely learning about a different side of you (more to admire) and to share it with those who read my blog xx
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Hi there, I’m a first-time visitor, via #teamlovinlife and your photographs are just stunning. What a great eye you have and what lovely scenery.
Another blogging friend of mine is currently in the middle of a road trip and I find myself pondering the idea – also if my personality is such that I’d be in a hurry and not enjoy the journey as much as I should…. even if there’s no specific destination?!
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Welcome to the conversation – so glad you stopped by! I was certainly in a hurry on this trip as it was an errand of love more than a vacation. But I’d highly recommend giving it a shot. Whether you meander or power-through quickly, you’ll experience the beauty!
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I love that phrase ‘every day is pregnant with hope’! Also love your attitude. Each day is indeed a gift. You sound like you have a lot of siblings like me. I am the eldest of five. I have 3 sisters and 1 brother. Enjoy the rest of your road trip! #TeamLovinLife
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Thanks so much for joining the conversation! Yes – each day is a gift, even when it is tough. I try to remember this. As for siblings — I’m the 7th of 8. This visit I just connected with my sisters, but I also have 3 brothers! Big families can be wonderful!
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I’m in awe of those distances. My husband and I are midway through a road trip in Australia at the moment. The total distance we’re travelling though, is about 4000kms. We’re both loving visiting and revisiting small country towns, watching how the landscape changes so markedly from one region to the next, and enjoying the winter chill that we normally don’t feel in our region of Queensland. We’re also enjoying the idle chatting in the car. I’m enjoying singing loudly, but I suspect my husband’s enjoyment of that is not as great lol.
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Jo – it sounds like you are having a lovely leisurely trip! My journey was much quicker — but I still loved watching the landscape change. In contrast to your winter chill, I experienced 117 degree weather in the Mojave Desert. As for singing, the loudly part only happened in the four days I road solo. LOL.
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Hi Janet! Whoo Hoo! Congratulations on finishing your challenge in one piece. I tried sticking with my regular posts of one a week while traveling a couple of years ago and told myself NEVER AGAIN. It is exhausting for sure and so very hard to focus. But you did it!!! And good for you for seeing the joy every step of it. Now go rest….you deserve it!!! ~Kathy
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Kathy – I should have waited until February (LOL). I enjoyed a restful Thursday (except the rental car I drove was hit when parked for the night at my home – ugh!). Thank you. Now I’m tiling the bathroom tub surround (last summer project) to finish by Aug 10. Once this is finished, my weekends will be more relaxing! Thanks for joining the conversation…
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Hi Janet – Great quote that I try to live by. Hope you’re now well rested after your road trip. #MLSTL
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Natalie — thanks, I’ve rested a bit, but on to the next summer project! Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation.
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There are many open spaces here in Australia for road trips! We did our fair share as young teachers in the ‘bush’ living 12 hours drive from the major city where we would travel back to stay with my parents and have our school holidays. Music and sharing the drive was how we did it. But we were much younger then!
Thanks for sharing yours. Denyse #MLSTL
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Denyse – sorry for my delayed response — I’ve been busy tiling a tub surround the past few days and getting ready for our international student to return from his summer break. I must say, I took several 12 hour road trips in 2012 when my 15 yr old was away at University – and it felt much quicker and easier than 12 hours does now!
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Wow! That’s quite the road trip! What an adventure!
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Yes – it was a long, long road! Sorry for the delayed response. As my next blog post will share, I’ve been busy with a large tile project. Thanks for stopping in to join the conversation.
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I love the quote, and your photos are beautiful. Thanks for sharing. It sounds as if you’ve had a wonderful adventure and a great opportunity to visit with family members along the way. #MLSTL
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Christie, thank you for your comments on my photos — simple phone camera so the beauty if in the nature for sure! Sorry for the delayed response – and thanks for stopping by to join the conversation. I’m just getting caught up with #MLSTL today.
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Surviving an 80-hour car trip is cause of celebration! I do agree, however, that our attitude affects joy far more than circumstances. I’m so glad you had so many moments of joy on this journey!
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Molly – it sounds like my road trip offered much more solitude than yours — but both offered such moments of joy, right? Thanks for joining the conversation…
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Hi Janet, I have enjoyed your bits-of-joy series and I have to admit that I really needed to read your post today. This week has been tough but once again you have reminded me of how fortunate I am to have so much joy in my life. What a wonderful (although exhausting) week for you to catch up with family and also just taking in the scenery on your drive. Thank you for sharing with us and being part of the #MLSTL community. I hope you have a rest planned for this week!
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Love this line: “ecognizing that ‘every day is a gift’ emphasizes that each day is filled with potential, opportunity, and promise — even when things feel tough and life is difficult – every day is pregnant with hope.” Thanks for joining the Lovin’ Life LInky!
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Leanne, I am delighted that you appreciated my post. Given that the last morning of my trip when I was meant to return the rental car, I found it on my street with a police report notice because someone had crashed into it, my belief in all I had written was put to the test! Thanks for hosting the Lovin’ Life Linky – and for joining the conversation.
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Wonderful list and beautiful photos – thank you for sharing!!
#MLSTL visitor (shared on SM)
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Donna – thank you for visiting and for sharing on social media!
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Joy and a good frame of mind is more often a choice than not, even if we just paste on a smile and “behave our way” to joy. At some point, if only for a moment, we actually experience joy, and from there we find ourselves experiencing it more and more. I loved this post, so thank you! Brenda #MLSTL
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Brenda — I am so delighted that you loved the post. I so agree that sometimes we must ‘behave our way’ to joy! Thanks so much for joining the conversation!
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Glad that you are having a wonderful trip. I also believe that every day is a gift but I love your phrase “everyday is pregnant with hope” it suggests such joy and the hope of a wonderful future. #MLSTL
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Johanna, I’m delighted you liked the phrase — for me it paints an instant picture. I believe joy and hope go hand-in-hand. How can we experience joy if we are in despair? Thanks for joining the conversation….
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