The Wishies...

As I was out quieting my mind this morning, I noticed the dandelion seeds, which I have always called "wishies" and are definitely on my favorite things list, floating across the sky and how they will land somewhere and something will grow. It got me to thinking about how when I put my loving thoughts out into the universe you never know what good or loving things will grow from them. And even when I extend those same thoughts for myself how much better I flourish and feel about each present moment I am in. So today I send the seeds of, PEACE, LOVE and JOY to grow and spread upon all those in need. Take what you like and spread the rest!

What's your Favorite Season...

 

My favorite season has always been fall. I love the vibrant colors and the leaves as they flutter down covering the ground. I have a slight obsession with leaves and collecting them is something I look forward to and it brings joy to my soul. Then fall leads into winter which over the years I have come to appreciate the silhouette of the trees against the beautiful sky as the trees lay dormant. I'm not fond of the cold weather and I use to dread the coming of the early darkness. But I know it's only temporary and then I have the spring to look forward too. I love something in each season, but fall will always hold a special place!

Victory...

Since I was a young teen I have always loved loved loved puzzles. I can remember growing up always having a puzzle laid out somewhere and working on it after school and on weekends. But as my life progressed to children and animals, there never seemed to be the time or a space to have a puzzle sitting around. So it feels like a small victory to have found a way to have a puzzle out ( children are older now) while avoiding my four cats losing all my pieces. So I am very excited, but now the hard part begins... learning to step away from the puzzle!!! I could sit there all day and night playing and enjoying. I'm just so glad to have that "joy" back in my life!

Best Thing...

For days I was hanging out in a place that was full of children. They were excited, running back and forth and up and down, soaking up everything around them. I never get tired of watching the child like innocence, their wonder and pure JOY that they seem to get from the very present moment their in. Children are the best thing every!!!

Swing...

Today as I was out walking a dog, we came across a swing hanging from a tree. I had to smile thinking of all the love, laughter and joy that must be hanging around it. A swing just offers an invitation for FUN. I still enjoy a good swing to swing on ~ it feels so carefree!

License Plates...

As I was headed down the road yesterday, I started noticing license plates. It reminded me of a time in my childhood when my sister and I would read license plates on our travels to go spend the summer with my dad's family in Florida. Then it made me smile thinking that each person or group of people must be going to visit someone or headed to a new or old familiar place to vacation, but wherever their going it's probable ( you hope) a place to connect with each other, and a place that will offer joy and lasting memories.

Surprise...

Well... mother nature sure "surprised" me with a beautiful beautiful day. I opened all my windows and drank in all the coolness that was offered. It's July and a day like this is not something I ever expected but I am so grateful and full of JOY! Thank you mother nature for my surprise ~

Joy...

"Joy does not simple happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day."

Henry Drummond

This reminds me of something a friend told me once when he got married. He said commitment is something he has to choose everyday. In my life I have to set my intentions to see my cup half full or half empty. Too choose JOY in each present moment even if it takes me awhile to get there. 

Mother...

Today may be the official day to recognize mothers but for me, everyday is mothers day. I've never wanted to be ANYthing more then a mother and I've cherished every moment I've had with each of my children. My older son doesn't live with me but when he comes up we eat together, caught up on all the little details of his life, play games and just enjoy our time. My two younger ones still live with me and it's always a joy to wake each day knowing I can be present and available to them ( even though they are old enough now to not need me as much), I adore watching them grow and make changes in their lives.

Cooking...

"If you give a man a fish he feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime."

Chinese Proverb

Two of my children are really beginning to enjoy the "joy" of cooking. My middle son loves to bake and come up with interesting sandwiches as well as have a creative opinion about our dinners together. My daughter surprised me the other day when I came home and discovered she had "made up" a recipe and it was delicious. So delicious, that we made the pancakes when my sister came to visit and she wrote the recipe down to take home with her. Plus my daughter has been helping make dinner the last few nights and it is really fun to hang out together with a common goal of "good eats." Always a joy to watch my children flourish, change and grow.

Season...

I love this picture and didn't really have anything to go with it other then "noting" the JOY it brings me. Since fall in my favorite season, there are never enough picture, painting, real life memories that I grow tired of seeing,when they pertain to fall. Hope it brings a smile to your heart and lightens you day as it has mine.

A Ring...

This ring was given to me by a dear friend over twenty five years ago. It use to be her ring and she offered it to me at a point of transition in my life - a new beginning. It holds great love and sentiment, so it is only appropriate that I pass it down to my daughter as she trail blazes her way to find the joy, adventures and new beginnings that are right for her life.

Money...

I love money. I think money is meant to bring joy and to be shared. All of my life, by American standards, I've lived "very poor." I am always grateful for whatever I had/have, but it has become part of my "comfort zone." So I find myself with the potential of making more money and feeling intimidated by how to use it to the best of its ability. I have no doubt that I know how to handle, the joy and sharing part, but what brings me uncomfortableness is, how to do things like, use an accountant, file the right taxes, investing to grow it, etc. I've always had so little that there was never a need for those kind of services. But it is something I want to learn and explore and not let this simple acts keep me from using my gifts and allowing the abundance of money into my life.

Mirror...

"Reality is the mirror of your thoughts. Choose well what you put in front of the mirror."

Dr Norman Peele

This is one of the reasons I don't read the newspaper or watch the news, and I choose to surround myself with beautiful people and keep a steady stream of "good news" flowing in my life. But I am not blind to the injustice or in denial of others hardships, but when I keep positive thoughts in front of me, I can respond to those in need of "whatever" in a light of love and joy.

Wedding...

Well the day has come and gone. Yesterday my son married the women he loves and is happy. My heart is happy for him. It was a joy to celebrate in his love.

Loving you dear son... 

ALWAYS!

Contagious...

"If I become happy and it makes you happy, it is like tipping the first domino so the next one falls and that happiness spreads."

~James Fowler, economic behaviorist, University of California-San Diego

If there is one thing I wouldn't mind being contagious it would be happiness. Like being in a room and someone starts laughing and you don't even know why but you find yourself starting to laugh until you cry. Then when I'm finished, my first response is "oh that felt good." Laughter is great medicine and for those few minutes I was in the present moment of "JOY."

Makes Me Smile...

It doesn't matter how I'm feeling, when I see a dog hanging out the window of a car it just "makes me smile!" Don't really know why and doesn't really matter, it just always lightens my mood. Animals have an unconditional love that can't be beat. I'm grateful they bring so much joy to our lives and we can share this world together!

Naked...

I came across these words "naked joy" in a book I'm reading and I just thought - WOW - I loved those two words together. They embody what joy is all about. No restrictions, no rules, just PURE naked joy!!! When my children were born they were pure naked joy. Life had not yet whisper in their ear all the "shoulds" and "suppose to" that come along with being born into this world. But it's never to late to experience a little... NAKED JOY!

Routine...

I'm trying to establish a routine of the things I want more of in my life. Like unstructured writing, planned writing, exercise ( includes, yoga, weights and walking) and more thought out meals for myself. I've read it takes weeks and months to establish habit's and routines, and I'm hoping the good habit's will start out weighing the bad because they are producing JOY. But I only have one rule and that is there is NO judgement allowed. If I didn't get the yoga done or the writing I'd intended I can do it later that day or tomorrow. It's more about self care and continuing to strive for what I want in my life and to focus on what I am doing right instead on what I'm not. 

No rules...

Our Christmas tree is still up and I'm still enjoying the way the lights twinkling at night and all the decorations full of memories that hang on the tree. We will probable take it down this weekend but it's nice to know in life there are no rules for how long you "should" keep your tree up or how you "should" do any of your holiday traditions. It's about what feels good and right for your family. And right now our tree brings up JOY!