Op-Shopping

I love Op-Shopping. It definitely brings me Joy,

On the weekend my daughter and I quickly went into Vinnie’s and my daughter was excited to find cups with Coca-Cola and even though Coca-Cola does not bring me Joy, I knew my son would be excited too with these glasses. I actually love homewares from Vinnies and glad my daughter is introduced to the concept of second-hand too. 

I love buying clothes second hand too. I feel like I am treasure hunting. Today I bought a yellow and white striped Country Road Dress for $20 and love it. I also bought a crochet top and love this too. I saw another tshirt I liked yet it was small and felt a bit snug. 

I love buying clothes, washing them and then putting them in my wardrobe, ready to wear.

Joy joy joy! I love when I buy something that I love. Can’t wait to get back to the store for another look around, knowing I always walk out with something special.  Op-Shopping fills me with Joy.

Palmier

I definitely experience Joy from a Palmier. And it’s more than just the eating, it’s about the excitement of buying one and looking forward to eating it and then taking a photo and then enjoying this treat. 

A Palmier defined as “a sweet crisp pastry shaped like a palm leaf”.

During lockdown there have been a few occasions where we have gone for a walk or my thoughtful husband has gone for a walk and bought me a Palmier.

A Palmier is not an everyday treat. If I had these everyday it would take away the sense of it being special. 

The other day at work I was so super stressed and I was so happy to go for a walk with the family and so delighted when my hubby told me that we were on our way to get a Palmier. Joy!!! Exactly what I needed to cheer me up and feel loved after a tough day at work.

Thongs

I love wearing Thongs, I love when the weather is good enough to be able to wear Thongs. Wearing Thongs in Thing wearing weather definitely brings me Joy.

My daughter loves wearing Thongs too and would wear them all year long if we didn’t say no and make her wear her joggers.

Today was hot, beach weather. I loved walking out the door and putting on our Thongs and just jumping in the car, ready for our adventure. And over we were at the beach I loved just gently kicking off our Thongs and walking along the beach. 

Thongs represent Summer and warmth and sunshine, the things that bring me Joy.

I only have a black pair of Thongs now yet I just buy a white pair and a gold pair once shops open after lockdown. I can’t wait to wear my Thongs and get back to the beach this week.

Rocks

I love Rocks too.  Rock painting and Rock hunting, in particular for me, bring Joy.

When my daughter was 5 years we would drive around looking for Rocks, using NSW Rocks Facebook page as a guide – if there was a rockdrop we would race to the destination and my daughter would look for rocks.

My daughter loved it.  I loved it.  It was part of our special memories.  Memories always bring me Joy.

Over the years my daughter has found painted Rocks and it always brings me Joy seeing the Joy on her face.  Just the other day when we were enjoying a Where’s Wally hunt down at the beach, which was amazing, my children were so excited when they found painted Rocks.

This weekend I loved the chance to paint Rocks with my children.  And then I loved that on our picnic we took a great walk through the park and bushland and hid some Rocks for some children to find and it was exciting seeing my children excited to hide the Rocks too.    

We have bought more Rocks and textas and paint pens and I am looking forward to more craft time painting and hiding Rocks.  It’s the simple things that do bring Joy.

Shells

I love Shells.  I love Shells for their beauty and for what they mean to me too.  I love when I see Shells at the beach.  I love collecting Shells.  I have always loved collecting Shells.  And now I love collecting Shells with my children.  Shells bring me Joy, collecting Shells bring me Joy.

I remember in my 30s running and then going for a swim and then collecting Shells and I remember feeling like I was on a treasure hunt. I loved walking along the sand and loved the different Shells, searching for some of my favourite types of Shells.  I honestly felt as though I had found gold and silver treasures and loved collecting them, taking them home, washing them and admiring their beauty.  I once had so many Shells and I would make glass candle displays with them.  And then I moved home and we got rid of the glass and rid of the Shells - their meaning at the time, somehow had deteriorated with time as I embarked on a new life.

And now I am back at it again.  The other week we went to Kurnell and I was amazed at all of the beautiful Shells and I loved collecting the Shells with my children.  I then loved washing them and sorting them with my children and then we made a candle display and glass jar displays using the glass circular vase that my work gave me when I was in recovery. 

Today I was excited to get back to Kurnell and loved walking up and down looking for Shells, and the excitement and Joy was the same as if I found treasure.  I get excited and feel Joyful when I see a Shell that I love and then I pop it in a plastic bag and have now brought them home to wash and display.  When I look at these Shells I feel Joy for the beauty of nature and I am also filled with Joy at the memories of a special time with my family.

Birthdays

I love Birthdays.  I love celebrating Birthdays with my family.  I love preparing for Birthdays.

Birthdays bring Joy.

On the weekend I turned 50 years and I had the best Birthday.  I loved waking up with my beautiful family and then seeing my Mum and Dad and then enjoying the afternoon and evening with my wonderful husband and children.  It was so special being spoilt.  My hubby is so thoughtful and generous and I absolutely love my presents.

It is special being my Birthday as then two days later is my darling daughter’s Birthday. And we do love Birthdays.

We love having a theme for our children and making it special.  It is a Joy to organise them and plan them together with my husband and an absolute Joy watching my children be so Joyful.  My daughter had the best day on her Birthday and it was so much fun - from the beginning of the day opening presents and the Zoom party and then the treasure hunt at the park and then dinner and a special Birthday cake.

It’s always good after Birthdays to feel a sense of Joy that the days went well. I also love making photobooks of our Birthdays.  By looking back on the photos (and there are always hundreds of photos) I get to re-live the Birthdays and this brings me Joy again.

Now that the Birthdays are over, there is slight disappointment, and so I keep looking at the photos to keep bringing in the Joy.  I will also take time to allow new inspiration to come to me.  And we look forward to the next Birthday or next event. 

I know my son is always counting down to his Birthday and Christmas will be here before we know it. 

Scarves

I love my Scarves. My Scarves bring me Joy.

Scarves defined as “a length or square of fabric worn around the neck or head”.

When I read the definition I am so grateful, praise God that I do not need to wear Scarves around my head.

I love the fabric of Scarves. I love fabric and the opportunity to choose beautiful Scarves with beautiful fabric brings me Joy. 

I love getting Scarves from friends and family. I have a special Scarf given to me by my Sister-In-Law for my 40th Birthday. 

I love a Scarf I received from a friend for helping her husband with employment coaching. 

I love a Scarf I bought from the Ramsgate Markets when we had a fundraiser for my daughter’s friend. It brings a mix of pride for my daughter’s love of her friend and her motivation, and also a sadness. 

I love a Scarf my husband bought me for my efforts last year as my daughter’s homeschool efforts. We bought the same Scarf for my daughter’s school teachers. 

I also love my Scarf that has butterflies on it. I bought this Scarf when my husband and I went to Berry for our 10th Wedding Anniversary. It brings me memories of a beautiful time with my Husband. I also bought it to wear on my journey of my surgeries and beyond. When I wear it I feel strong and proud of myself too. 

Once lockdown has finished I am going to go on a hunt for another beautiful Scarves that marks the turning point of wellness for me, that has bright and bold colours. 

I said to my husband last night that every Anniversary, every year we should try and go away for just one night or perhaps two nights.  And I think I will buy a Scarf from these trips too.

Every day I go into my wardrobe and look at my Scarves and choose a Scarf to wear and I love that Scarves warm my neck.  I get so cold, except for between 1:30am to 5:00am where I now experience Hot Flushes.  Scarves are definitely my saviour in the cold weather or cold airconditioning.

When I wear these Scarves it brings memories of these moments, memories of these special people too. And it is in the memories that bring me Joy too.  

Doing

Doing brings me Joy. 

Doing defined as “something being done or the process of getting something done”.

The opposite of Doing for me is when I’m standing still and feel at a standstill, too unwell or too tired to take action. And I like taking action. I need to be Doing something. 

I find it is in the Doing that brings me Joy. Joy comes to me in the knowing that I am Doing, Joy in the process of Doing and the Joy I feel in the achievement of Doing. 

Even when I was at hospital and from the time I have been home and in recovery, I have focused on just Doing something easy, setting a task and Doing it. Early on I had to force myself. Sometimes I still need to talk myself into Doing and yet I know this is what keeps me out of falling into the darkness. 

Each day I will choose Doing as a preference as this is what brings me Joy.  

Handtowels

I love Handtowels.  Handtowels bring me Joy.

Handtowels defined as “a small towel for drying one’s hands”.

I love having enough Handtowels so that I can have fresh Handtowels for downstairs and upstairs.

I love white Handtowels.  These are my favourite. I also have some Handtowels that I have had for years that have embroidered birds on them, my favourite the kookaburra.  I would love to get some more Handtowels with some of my favourite national treasures - kookaburra, wattle tree, bottlebrush, maybe also some Handtowels with an image of our puppy.  I also have a Handtowel with lavender which I love too. 

Washing and replacing Handtowels so that there are always dry and clean ones for our family and visitors brings me Joy. 

It’s such a simple household item and yet it is sometimes the simple things that bring me Joy, enjoying and being grateful for the basic things in my life.    

Facials

I love Facials.  Having Facials definitely brings me Joy.

Facials defined as “spa treatments that usually includes a deep cleaning and moisturising of the face”.

I have my favourite place where I love having Facials.  My hubby started buying me vouchers for Facials and they really are the very best presents of all for me.  This would be my number one gift idea.

On the day before my surgery I chose to use the voucher my husband gave me, knowing that Facials put me in a place of Zen.  I knew the time before that I was so relaxed for 4 days and I wanted to be in a place of calm and feel totally relaxed and at peace.

Having the Facial was the best.  I always enter a deep meditative state that brings me insight, that makes me feel a quiet Joy.

I can’t wait until we get out of lockdown - more Facials for me, for sure.  I must remind my hubby that Facials are my preferred gift for the rest of my life. 

Showers

I love baths and yet when I think about it, I really do love Showers too.  Showers are the saviour for me in the morning when I am tired and Showers wake me up and ignite Joy too.

Showers defined as “a cubicle in which a person stands under a spray of water to wash.”

Having Showers in the hospital definitely helped shift my mindset. It gave me a sense of progress towards recovery.  It was hard the first one and yet I had the help of the nurses giving me Showers and I needed them.  The opportunity to feel the hot water over me.  The opportunity to wash and feel fresh.  The hot water on me gave me Joy.  The feeling of taking the action of Showers gave me joy.

I have my Showers as soon as I wake up in the morning.  It is the first part of my morning routine.  It is the transition from the sleepy pj me into the getting ready me, getting ready for a new day, getting ready to bring about my best self that I need to be each day.  The experience of Showers brings me Joy.  Knowing and embracing the purpose of my Showers, in terms of the being the crucial part in getting me up and moving and ready for the day brings me Joy. 

Now as I am still in recovery from my surgeries and have been waking up a lot through the early mornings, it is the Showers that I look forward to, knowing they will refresh me and wake me up, knowing they are the key to get me moving in the mornings.

We are blessed we can just turn on the hot water and balance it with the cold water to get the perfect temperature for our Showers.  We are blessed! 

Nailpolish

I love when I get a Pedicure and get my nails done, this definitely brings me Joy. I love choosing the Nailpolish colour. I also love taking my daughter to get get nails done as well. My girl loves choosing a Nailpolish or two, most recently choosing red and black.  I also love going to get a pedicure with my best friend too. 

Nailpolish defined as “varnish applied to the fingernails or toenails to colour them or make them shiny”.

I love the looking forward to the pedicure. The pedicure is the place to get Nailpolish. We have Nailpolish in the cupboard and yet rarely would we venture on our own to put on Nailpolish. I like the perfect nails, painted perfectly. I like to sit back and relax in the massage chair and have the experts put on the Nailpolish - this fills me with Joy.

I love red Nailpolish. It speaks to me of red and power. What I love about getting a pedicure and perfectly painted red Nailpolish is that when I stand in the shower, I look at my Nailpolish and feel a sense of empowerment.  I specifically chose red Nailpolish before my surgeries and deliberately did my nails just before my surgery so that they can look good and in a small way keep me feeling good, by bringing me Joy. 

Darkness

Being in the Darkness does not bring me Joy. 

This is when I need to find the light. This is when I need to soak in the Joy. This is when I need to welcome the Joy, strive for Joy. 

The last 4 weeks have been tough. After having my preventative surgeries of a double mastectomy and a total hysterectomy the night after my surgeries were completed I felt very positive and up.  And yet it was only day 3 where I felt down, that I had fallen back into the black hole. 

Feeling in the depth of the dark hole, just happened so suddenly and without warning. It was a tough few days. 

And during this time it was Joy that brought in the sunshine. My husband, my rock. My children. My best friend. Sunflowers in my room. 

It was tough in the hospital. I felt in the darkness after falling in without a choice. This worried me.  

And I’ve been in the Darkness before, and this is a place I deliberately avoid. I deliberately focus on self care. I consciously stay away from the edge of the black hole. I look back on that time of darkness 17 years ago. It was the worst time in my life. It was the worst time in my parents’ life. I think back to this time when I literally felt I couldn’t get out of bed. I remember my Mum negotiating with me to get out of bed and have a shower and that I could then get back into bed. Each morning my Dad would come over and talk to me while I lay in bed and say he would go and buy me a fresh mango yogurt. I also liked  watching a TV show at night and enjoyed watching this sitcom and it kept me going too. At this time I was deep down in the Darkness, in the depths of the dark hole. I am not sure how long I was in a black hole. It seems like a long time. It was definitely months, probably close to a year. It was a long time. I realised I could stand still or go up. And so I made the decision to crawl up out of the black hole and regain happiness.  I am proud of myself that I was able to get up and out of the Darkness.  If I have done it once I could do it again - although I've always tread carefully to avoid falling in again. 

I was watching a movie and loved the words that said "but it is the shadows that truly define us. There where there is no light."

Luckily my recent fall into the Darkness did not last.  However during this time I had to be in action, be in the doing, doing things that bring me Joy.  I had to keep moving, even just doing small things.  I could have just stayed in bed and yet getting up and doing a few things that I wrote on a list was the key for me.  The list and doing of a list brought me into a positive mindset.  And once I was out of the hole I still felt it close by to me.  There were tears.  It was tough in hospital.  And so once I felt strong enough physically I asked to come home.  It was time to take a step to get closer to the light.    

Being in the Darkness, with the threat of Darkness looming, taught me so much about the importance of Joy and the importance of seeking Joy and enjoying Joy.  Knowing my Joy Starters, what brings me Joy is the key to my happiness and knowing what my family need too is also key for me.

As I get so close to the magic number of 100 I realise that there is so much that brings me Joy and if I focus on bringing these Joyful moments into my life each day I am guaranteed happiness.  Of course knowing what does not bring me Joy is also critical for me.  Knowing what makes me anxious or upset or angry and working on strategies is key for me too.  

The journey of Joy, my goal of 100 posts about Joy is almost achieved and yet at the end of the posts I will take the time for a final post to really reflect on what I have learnt and what I can do to live a Joyful life and bring Joy to my children too.

I think I need a post about what does not bring joy - the Disrupters plus a post about what brings my family Joy, when they are the happiest - not sure what I will call this post - Knowing, Understanding, Keys.

I feel most Grateful that I feel myself now, that I have escaped the black hole, the Darkness.  I am most Grateful that my positive self is still alive and well, adjusting to the new me.  I am missing late nights writing and watching Netflix, me time.  I need to go to bed earlier now as I wake up through the morning feeling hot as part of the new reality of me.  And yet Sleep brings me Joy, knowing I am looking after myself and choosing health as a priority.   

I choose the light.  And yet I know that Darkness will come again, perhaps not in the form of a black hole, yet definitely in times of life's downs and tragedies, the unexpected that knocks us over.  I think knowing what brings Joy and setting this Intention not just for a year or 100 posts, yet for my life, for the life of my family is key for us, is most important for us, will keep us happy and well.

Tacos

I love going to Tacos with my family.  I love eating Tacos with my family.

Tacos defined as “a traditional Mexican dish consisting of a small hand-sized corn or wheat tortilla topped with a filling. The tortilla is then folded around the filling and eaten by hand. A taco can be made with a variety of fillings, including beef, pork, chicken, seafood, beans, vegetables, and cheese, allowing for great versatility and variety. They are often garnished with various condiments, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream, and vegetables, such as lettuce, onion, tomatoes, and chiles.”

I love when my husband makes Tacos for our children and with a bit of tofu it is the perfect meal for all of us. 

And we love going out for Tacos at Taco Tuesday.  Absolutely delicious!

Tonight is the last time for Taco Tuesday for a while.  Yet I’m glad we got to have Tacos as they definitely bring us Joy.

Sunrise

I love seeing a Sunrise.  I love the Sunrise and yet I struggle with the thought and sometimes the act of getting up early.

Sunrise defined as “the moment when the upper rim of the Sun appears on the horizon in the morning”.

My daughter loves the Sunrise. It seems to be one of my daughter’s favourite things to do with us.  And sometimes we put it off, a lot of times we put it off.

On my list of what I want to do before my surgeries was Sunrise with my daughter.  And so today we got up early and went to the Sunrise.  The colours, the sky, the sun was incredible.  I love time with my daughter.

The Sunrise brought us both Joy.  The Sunrise brings me Joy.

I have 8 more days of Sunrise.  I would love to see the Sunrise every morning until my surgeries.  Not sure why.  Yet I know the Sunrise brings me Joy.  Despite the early mornings I think I can do it.  Going to bed soon, alarm is set and going to get up and go and be in Joy.  

Chocolate

I love Chocolate.  I try to give it up.  And now I have decided to just accept that I do love Chocolate.  Chocolate brings Joy. 

Chocolate defined as “a food that is made from cacao beans and that is eaten as candy or used as a flavouring ingredient”.

I have always had a love / hate relationship with Chocolate.  I love Chocolate.  I have always had my favourite Chocolate.  As a child my Dad would buy a block of milk chocolate and on Friday nights we would get a row of Chocolate.  It is a precious memory.  And at school I loved strawberry Freddos, the best Chocolate that I would buy from the school canteen.  Now I love Cadbury small Easter Eggs and Top Deck Chocolate. 

I have often felt that Chocolate is bad – certainly bad for me.  I do love eating it yet often get headaches when I eat Chocolate at night.  Eating Chocolate like tonight is usually closely followed by taking panadol.  I have almost felt this part of me like a person sitting in the cupboard eating Chocolate, ashamed, hiding, secretive.  It’s strange. 

Now I have decided to embrace the part of me that enjoys Chocolate, to enjoy and be happy and Joyful.  I have decided to be like I was when I was a child, enjoy the Chocolate perhaps once a week, maybe twice, no rules, yet certainly limitations. 

Chocolate does bring me Joy and I have decided to just allow it to bring me Joy, allow myself to eat Chocolate and enjoy it. 

Bestie

I love having a Bestie.  It has been a while since I have had a Bestie, a Best Friend.

Bestie defined as “a best friend or close friend.  An example of a bestie is the person with whom you spend lots of time”.

I have many close friends who I love spending time with, who know me, with whom I am happy to share my stories.  And I want to listen to their stories.  They are important to me.

And then there is my Bestie, my friend who I talk to each day, who I know is on my team.

Of course my hubby is my Best Friend too, the one that is home to me. 

And my Bestie is a blessing too.  I love our chats.  I love hanging out with our children.  I love hanging out with our families.  I love hanging out just the two of us.  These chats, these times bring me Joy.  They make my day. 

Having a Bestie brings me Joy.  Knowing I have a Bestie brings me Joy. 

I also want my daughter to have a Bestie.  Lately, the last week or two she had been spending time with one of her friends becoming closer and it is special to her, it brings her Joy.  I want my daughter to have a Bestie that she can rely on, where they can rely on each other.  Now when my daughter comes home from school she is happy.  She is happy because she has found a Bestie.  Maybe just a Bestie for now, yet a Bestie for the day that brings her happiness and fills her with Joy. 

Bushwalking

I love Bushwalking.

Bushwalking defined as “the activity of walking through the bush”.

Bushwalking definitely makes me happy and brings me Joy.  I love Bushwalking in the Blue Mountains and my hubby has suggested we go on a weekend away to the Blue Mountains for my 50^th Birthday.

I used to love Bushwalking before I had my little ones.  I would rather have my little ones rather than go Bushwalking.  And I look forward to Bushwalking with them when they get bigger yet I do not wish my life away – I love this time while they are young.

On the weekend I went Bushwalking with my best friend and it was wonderful being out in nature, being active, the challenge of Bushwalking too.  It all brings Joy to me. 

I am definitely keen for more Bushwalking.

Roadtrips

I love Roadtrips. 

Roadtrips defined as “a journey made by car, bus; an extended trip in a motor vehicle”.

I have great memories of Roadtrips with old boyfriends. Travelling up the Coast. There is a certain freedom and feeling of excitement and Joy that comes with Roadtrips. I love the sense of Adventure.

Last weekend I went on the first of what will be more Roadtrips with my best friend. 

I like to drive too and yet it was a luxury just jumping in the car and my friend driving us to our destination.

I definitely want to enjoy more Roadtrips with my family and hubby and friends. 

Roadtrips definitely equal Joy Joy Joy for me. 

Flannelette

 I love Flannelette fabric.  It brings me Joy.  It brings me warmth.  The warmth brings me Joy.

 Flannelette defined as “A lightweight cotton flannel”.

Today I bought a Flannelette nightie for my time in hospital.  It looks so warm and comfy.  I love my flannelette pj pants - I have quite a few and love them.  I also love the new Flannelette pjs my hubby bought me for Mother’s Day too.

And then today I put my Flannelette sheets on our bed.  I will be very glad to get into bed tonight, I know I will feel very toasty.

Feeling warm and toasty and in my Flannelette pjs definitely brings me Joy. 

After a warm bath I love putting on Flannelette pjs - it makes me feel at home, at peace, comfortable, happy, Joyful.

Sky

I love the Sky, the everchanging colours, the clouds, the shades of blue.  Looking at the Sky brings me Joy.

Sky defined as “the upper atmosphere as seen from the earth’s surface”.

In the morning when I walk our puppy I love looking at the Sky, the first light in the sky.  The shifting clouds, the shifting blue.  The Sky is definitely a canvas of God’s artistry.

Even from my kitchen or a bedroom, catching a glimpse of the Sky in the morning makes me feel Joyful, brings me into the present, brings me peace.

At any time of the day, looking up to the Sky is a gift for me, even just seeing the clouds or blueness.  It is always fun, especially with children, looking at the shapes of the clouds and pointing them out - “look it looks like a bunny”, “or a puppy”, “or a dinosaur”.

At night, the Sky is definitely a showcase of beauty – the pinks and yellows and oranges and purples.  The Sky is definitely breathtaking and just being in a state of presence and looking at the Sky brings me Joy. 

I love taking photos of the Sky too, capturing the beauty. 

HighTea

High Tea is definitely one of my favourite things to do! Love taking my daughter to HighTea which is our thing we love to do each year. Also loved taking my Nieces for HighTea as they transitioned to high school. 

And today went to HighTea with my best friend. Went to QVB which is my favourite!

HighTea defined as “the British tradition of drinking tea while sitting in high-backed chairs at a table full of plated items such as cold meats, vegetables, pickled fish, potatoes, salads, pies, tarts, homemade bread or crackers with butter, teacakes and fruitcakes”.

I love the ambience, the setting, the Old World beauty, the chairs, the chandeliers, the gold wallpaper.

I love the sandwiches, the egg sandwiches, the salmon sandwiches.  I love the savoury and I love the sweet treats and I love the scones with the jam and cream. 

There is a part of me that would love to explore and venture into other HighTea venues and enjoy other HighTea experiences and yet the QVB HighTea brings me Joy, and it is guaranteed.

Now I am keen to take my hubby to High Tea.  Definitely keen for him to enjoy the fancy sandwiches and little cakes.

So glad I was able to take my best friend there today for her Birthday.  Such a Joy-filled day for us.

Lipstick

My Mum always loved wearing her red Lipstick. Mum doesn’t get out much now yet when she does the red Lipstick is on and packed on her handbag too. I’ve discovered that wearing Lipstick brings Joy, brings a sense of feeling feminine and beautiful.

Lipstick defined as “a cosmetic that affects colour, texture, and protection to the lips.  Many colours and types of lipsticks exist.  Some lipsticks are also lip balms, to add both colour and hydration”.

The other week we were shopping at Big W and I loved that I quickly bought a pinky coloured Lipstick. Wish I had have had more time to pick out a few colours as they were half price. Although sometimes it just takes one great Lipstick.

I wore the pick Lipstick when we had our photo shoot and I loved wearing the Lipstick, felt pretty, love that feeling. 

Today I went out with my best friend and I loved putting on my lipstick which I found in my new handbag that I haven’t used much lately. I felt ready once I had on the Lipstick, ready for a Joyful day.  And I loved touching up the Lipstick through the day.  Now I will make sure I have a Lipstick handy, ready to bring colour, beauty, Joy. 

Lessons

It is one week since Mother’s Day 2021 – a year and one week after I set the Mission for the year ahead – to be Joyful or Joy Filled.  I made a commitment to write 100 posts over the one year.

I am proud of myself that I have found Joy, that I now find Joy so easily, that I set the Intention each day of bringing Joy into my life and the lives of my family, that I know what brings me Joy, that I see Joy, that I feel Joy, that I can switch to Joy.  I see now that there are so many things that bring me Joy, that can bring me Joy, that I often text myself the words or write a list since it is hard to keep up with the writing to write about all that brings me Joy. 

Of the 100 posts so far I have achieved 78 posts.  Since I was enjoying writing so much, I then started to write and completed a novel.  I loved writing my novel so much, and experienced so much Joy in this process, that I found myself writing this story, being in Joy, rather than writing about Joy each night. 

I can easily make 100 posts about Joy.  I’m sure I could write so much more about Joy.  And yet at the same time I am keen to reach 100 posts, consolidate and then set a new Intention too.

This has been lifechanging for me in many ways.  Consciously being a Joy Seeker, consciously choosing Joy Starters, consciously wanting Joy for myself and my family and friends.

It is good to think about what I have learnt, the lessons, the new knowledge and wisdom I have gained through this process the last year. 

At the end of the process I will write a Conclusion or Summary post, as the final post and yet for now I ponder on what has been the greatest Lessons for me. 

Lessons defined as “a period of learning or teaching”. 

I don’t want to number the Lessons as all of them are important. 

One key Lesson for me is that Joy is so possible and so easily within reach where it really is about quietening the mind and being in the Present, being in the moment.

Another Lesson for me is very much about knowing what brings me Joy, the Joy Starters, I call them.  And by knowing what brings me Joy I can consciously bring them into my day, bring Joy into my day, every day.

I have also learnt that when I am in a place of Joy, it is definitely easier to bring Joy to others.  When I am in Joy I definitely get stressed less and less anxious and less cranky, I do not like the Cranky Mum in me. 

I know that I can switch the Joy, when I need to rescue myself from another state.  Of course it is normal and natural to experience a range of emotions, yet it is good to not get stuck in an emotion – and that’s when I can switch to Joy, shake it up, intentionally do something that will bring me Joy.

I know that being outdoors and out in the world, allows more opportunities for Joy to enter my life.  I am a homebody and love being home, especially in winter, all snug in my pjamas.

I find that there are some things that bring me Joy, that can then lead to the opposite, and so perhaps this is not the Joy that I want to be seeking, surrendering to, choosing - something such as chocolate.  I love chocolate.  Just ate some chocolate tonight.  And yet the feeling of Joy does not last long.  Normally it is overridden with a headache and a down feeling.  And yet I still go back the next week to have chocolate since it brings me Joy.  I know what I need at this time is to remind myself that this joy, with a little j, does not outweigh the downside that always comes following the fleeting moment of joy.  I was going to write a post about chocolate yet realise this is not the best type of Joy for me.  Perhaps a topic about Self-Control and the sense of achievement and Joy that comes from Self-Control would be better for a post.

I’ve learnt it is the simplest of things, the ordinary, that can bring Joy such as a cup of peppermint Tea for me now. 

I know that it is in the experiences, experiencing life, experiencing the senses, that bring the greatest Joy to me.  I am not wanting things, anything fancy, anything more than I have, I have enough, my children have enough.  The goal is to be living and doing and being and present. 

I learn, that I love the Quiet.  I love the Calm.  I love having Space.  It is rare.  I do not get enough.  Yet these rare moments do bring me Joy and allow me to be Spirit-Led too, to be inspired, to know the next steps, to just be too.

I learn that looking after my health, making healthy choices is so important for a Joyful life.  Feeling good about myself from making good decisions about my health, and when feeling healthy, being in the best state of mine to be activate in activating Joy and to receive Joy too. 

Another lesson for me is that when there is too much happening, too much scheduled, too many plans, this can rob the Joy of me and the members of the family.  Time at home.  Time to relax.  Time with nothing to do too is the goal and can bring in more Joy.

I know and have learnt that there are the Joy Robbers.  Knowing what robs my Joy, prevents my Joy, limits my Joy is really important too.  I know that running late brings on stress and anxiety for me which later can lead to guilt for having a terrible morning getting upset with my little ones.  I probably need to post about the Robbers and the importance of planning so that I can avoid the Joy Robbers so that Joy can easily come into my life. 

I have learnt that no matter how much I am enjoying something and know I could do something that will bring Joy, that Sleep is so important to me.  Lack of sleep is definitely a Joy Robber for me. 

I’ve learnt new things that bring me Joy such as Writing and am excited that this process of writing about Joy has ignited the Joy of writing, where I have so many books I want to write.  Now I hope there will be the Joy from getting them published and from achieving my goal.

I am a Mum On A Mission - many Missions - and while there is still so much to be done (particularly around my home in terms of de-cluttering) and looking at my life it may still look the same, it feels so different since I have discovered the Joy of Joy - each day I will still be on a Mum On A Mission – Joyful!

Acceptance

Acceptance to me does not bring Joy in itself, yet it allows for Joy, it opens up the possibilities of Joy by not allowing a block to stand in my way.

Acceptance defined as “the act of accepting something or someone”.  Accepting defined as “The action of consenting to receive or undertake something offered”.

With my recent health journey, I am now in a place of needing to be in Acceptance, to accept that I have the gene and accept what I have chosen to do.  By being in Acceptance it has allowed me to focus on what’s important, to focus on what brings my family and myself Joy.

My journey has forced me to make sure my priorities are in order.  Being in Acceptance of what I can’t control. 

As I am in a place of Acceptance, I spend less time worrying and less time thinking and for me it’s about just being and doing and creating memories and bringing in Joy and being in Joy.

Listening

Listening, truly Listening, full attention given when Listening, brings me Joy. 

Listening defined as “Listening is the ability to accurately receive and interpret messages in the communication process. Listening is key to all effective communication. Without the ability to listen effectively, messages are easily misunderstood. ... If there is one communication skill you should aim to master, then listening is it.”

I love when my children talk to me.  I love when I stop and love Listening to them.  This brings me Joy.  Hearing their stories.  I love seeing their eyes and faces light up. 

Usually I am so busy racing and racing and racing yet stopping and Listening is the key to having a positive relationship with my little ones and all of us being in a place of Joy. 

Listening to my Mum and Dad’s stories is also very Joyful for me. 

Plus Listening to my husband and us Listening to each other also brings Joy.

Sharing my story and stories and having people that I trust Listening to me also means a lot to me.  It is hard for me to be vulnerable as I am private, and I am not sure if I would say it brings me Joy yet there is a feeling of Joy when I have someone that I trust enough to share my realness and the chapters of my life. 

Memories

Memories definitely bring Joy.  Making memories, remembering memories, sharing and reminiscing about memories with loved ones are all opportunities to bring Joy for me.

Memories defined as “something remembered from the past”.

I have so many Memories from my childhood that bring Joy, particularly when I look at photos and the Memories come back to me.  So many beautiful Memories with my Mum and Dad and brother and our pets.  So many Memories bike riding and rollerskating and being in my neighbour’s pool and being in and out of my friends’ homes.

I also have so many Memories of going on holidays to Shoal Bay which were the best holidays.

And now I have so many Memories of my children – I am making sure I make beautiful Memories with my children and I take so many photos to capture these Memories.   Every day I want to bring Joy to my family and capture the Joy of these Memories.

And I want my children to have all of these beautiful Memories too.  I love looking on my phone to see all of the photos that capture these special moments. 

Today we had the best time at the beach.  We were all so Joyful, including our puppy.  After being in the moment and enjoying the day, I loved coming home and sitting for a few minutes, looking at photos and remembering, enjoying the Memories, finding Joy in the Memories.

Helping

Helping definitely brings me Joy.  I love offering to help, I love the process of Helping, I love the feeling of Helping, I love the outcome of Helping others.

Helping defined as “the act of a person or thing that helps”.

I love that my daughter loves Helping too.  This comes natural to her.  My daughter always loves getting jobs to help and gets genuinely excited about the new jobs to do or being selected as the helper.  This makes me so Joyful knowing that she loves Helping.

Last weekend my daughter and I chose to be involved in the Church Cleaning Bee, working together, Helping others to clean up the Church.  There was a list of everything that needed doing and I volunteered us to clean the Chapel which was really special as this is where I married my husband 10 years ago.  I was so proud of my daughter who was racing around Helping, working hard and then volunteered to do the mopping too.  We are planning to go each month when we can and it was so rewarding and filled my heart with Joy at Helping with my daughter.

It is always so kind when people offer Helping to me too, offering to help when I need help.  And I am always ready on hand to help.  This brings me Joy knowing this is who I am and who my daughter is too.  And I know my son will also follow in our footsteps – I say “our” as my husband is also a helping person too and that’s what makes us so successful as a couple as we work hard as a team and help each other and help others too.

Hand-Holding

I love Hand-Holding - holding hands with my daughter or my son or my husband.  I love this sense of closeness and connection. 

Hand-Holding definition, what I am referring to is “If two people are holding hands, they are holding each other’s nearest hand, usually while they are walking or sitting together.  People often do this to show their affection for each other”.

Today as I walked my son to his friend’s house, I had such Joy in my heart Hand-Holding, his hand in mind.  I even took a photo to capture the specialness of his hand in mine.  It is so special to me.

My daughter is growing up too fast now.  It is rare that my daughter will hold my hand and when she does she does so very reluctantly - yet sometimes it feels natural and not forced and in these moments, there is Joy.

Holding my husband’s hand can be rare these days as usually we are focused on keeping our children safe and holding their hands - yet when we do hold hands, it is Joyful, it is special, it is felt in the heart. 

I know that one day my little boy will also stop wanting to hold my hand and yet for now, for every day, for each special moment, I will treasure and cherish and be in the moment, to capture this Joy.