I opened my phone this morning and found this photo from my daughter of my granddaughter and her friend.
An early morning ride as the sun rises. Two young girls on their horses. For me it just radiates joy and it got me to thinking about finding more joy and letting go of the things or people who steal my joy.
I have been in a protective mode most of this year. Protecting my heart and soul from seemingly innocuous comments or opinions that otherwise I might be able to shrug off but I cannot in this season of my life.
It is a season of personal upheaval, grief and much change.
I am fortunate to have friends who have traveled this path and understand, family who buoy me up and a husband who has been exceedingly understanding and patient with me as I figure this all out.
Back in the dark ages before social media 🙂 I was blissfully unaware of acquaintances thoughts and opinions. As much as I love the connection to everyone I have backed away and yet occasionally I get sucked into the black hole like I did this morning.
This is what I discovered people are concerned with in no particular order:
The Oxford Comma ( sorry not sorry that I use it). A habit I have no energy to do anything about.
Two spaces between sentences. Also not sorry.
Obsessions with pumpkin spice anything, Disney, Christmas, hairstyles, tattoos, recipes or how anything “should” be done.
Reminds me of a movie from the 60″s “Its a Mad Mad Mad world”
So for the record I love pumpkin spice anything, not crazy about Disney ( would rather go to Europe) , Christmas belongs in December, will probably never get a tattoo, love my own recipes and not into “shoulds”.
I also believe that if you want to go to Disney 12 times a year or put your Christmas tree up in October then go for it. Just don’t ask me to do it.
In other words, you get to do what brings you joy and so do I 🙂
I find joy in babies, photographs, well written anything or just beautiful words, nature, sunrise, sunset, dogs ( golden retrievers) real mail, watching people who love what they do, a fierce and never ending hug, my family, laughing until my stomach hurts, the sun, wind, rain and a bit of snow.
A new tool I am using to move forward when someone says or does something that sends me spiraling out of joy is 5 5 5 5 5
Will it matter in 5 minutes, 5 hours, 5 days, 5 months or 5 years?
Most of the time I don’t get past the 5 minutes part.
What does matter is cherishing the things that bring me joy because those things will matter in 5 minutes, 5 hours, 5 days, 5 months and 5 years.
Those joyful things will echo back, bring a smile to my face and fill my heart.
Hoping you find joy today.
As always…keep triing and find the joy,
Jennifer