Happy Luau

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Share the Joy Thursday: Setting the Intention

It's time again for Meri's "Share the Joy Thursday". Consider joining in and spreading joy around every Thursday or whatever Thursdays you want to pop in and participate. Read about more joy, including from our own Kim, The Queen of Arts and others listed at the end of Meri's post if you want to feel more joy today.

You know, writing about joy first thing on a Thursday morning does set the intention for joy for the whole rest of the day. It is a beautiful spiritual practice, and I'm grateful to Kim and Meri for thinking of it. It also reminds me of Kelly Kikipotamus the Hobo's practice of Grace in Small Things and Laundrygirl's Five Senses Friday. All of these are ways of being more aware--they change the author as she/he writes the blog post!








What brings me JOY today?

A warm house on a cold day
Necessary medication that is working and that I can afford which allows me to function
My husband who works hard every day to provide for us
Thinking about the full day ahead of me, filled with possibility
Feeling rested from a really good sleep last night
Going to bed earlier for the 3rd night in a row
More rain (this one is harder, living in the PNW, but in a certain way it DOES bring me joy!)
Catching the sun for just a moment peaking through before it goes away
Fresh salad greens from my garden and eggs from my five chickens 
Fond memories of my trip to Arizona and my special friend Rose Marie
Knowing that I have continued to do art almost daily since Kate's (The Queen of Creativity) class and that I'll take the time to do some today
Being awake in the early morning (5 am) and getting to watch the sun come up
Being alive still another day
Anticipating the day as being "good" :)
Being able to see
Feeling like we are all connected (because we are)
YOU


If you are reading this...today...I wish you JOY!


~Photo by LoveHubbie Mark edited by me

12 comments:

Meri said...

After rain last night, the sun is poking through and everything looks clean and sparkly. And I'm warm and cozy inside -- another thing to feel jowful about.

Olivia said...

Thank you for sharing the joy, Meri! Another blessing is that we have the time and peace of mind to even be able to reflect and notice the small things around us that bring us joy.

Today I'm thinking of all of the people hurrying and scurrying around--especially in cities--with hectic jobs and lifestyles, with cluttered minds, noisy environments...people who don't or won't or can't stop to think and allow in the joy. I pray that they will find a moment to pause in their busy days and find some joy.

xoO

Dawn Elliott said...

I can relate to so many things on your list today! It's so important for us to even appreciate the things we're ambivalent about, but that we know are good for us and/or the world.
Thanks for the sweet reminder!

Olivia said...

You're welcome, Dawn, and thanks for commenting and for sharing your joy on your blog. For those of you who haven't seen Dawn's blog, it has an interesting sculpture on it today for "Share the Joy Thursday"! Peace and blessings, O

Unknown said...

Thank you for this reminder to be thankful. I needed it this morning. I wake up so cranky sometimes that I just really needed to read this in this moment.

Olivia said...

You're welcome, Kristine. Me too...I wake up cranky or panicky or overwhelmed most days...wishing for you today: peace, calm, serenity, and joy, xoO

Kim Mailhot said...

Beautiful Joy List, Olivia ! I know for sure that focusing on these simple joys has made my life richer and certainly more peaceful.
Wishing you a joy-filled day !

Olivia said...

Thank you Kim! I'm wishing you the same, my dear one! xoO

patti said...

This morning I was begrudging getting up early and was about to roll over and go back to sleep, when the kookaburras started laughing their chorus. I am grateful to them for waking me up and their sound fills me with joy.

Thanks to you O for a place to share the joy!

Olivia said...

Oh, Patti, you're welcome and thank you for your support! And for sharing about the kookaburra's!

As a child I was taught a song about kookaburra's "Laugh, kookaburra, laugh, kookaburra gay your life must be!" but I've never seen one. Imagining them serenading you brings me joy :) xoO

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful joys today Olivia...and I too find much joy in the connections!

Olivia said...

Thank you kate, for coming to the happyluau, as always...peace, love, and a wonderful weekend, xoO