Need joy?
Look for joy in the small things of life. Like a butterfly. Find joy from the happy memories you have. Think about lovely things and special moments that make you smile.
Backyard Moments
Yesterday I observed an amazing show of nature in my yard. First, I looked out my kitchen window (read about Window Nature Writing) and saw a lovely cardinal. There was no time to grab my camera from the case and run outside to capture the moment. But I did have my cell phone nearby and snapped a picture quickly. It wasn’t a perfect picture as you can tell. There is a speck of red you can see through the screen, though.
However, I managed to video the cardinal skipping across my backyard. The point is, I captured the moment.
Next, I noticed a butterfly on the ground when I walked to the mailbox. My natural instinct was to help it. I chose to leave it alone, although I took a photo of it. Such beauty!
Checking on my recently planted crape myrtle, I observed an insect and a couple of spots on the plant. It’s the first time I’ve planted a crape myrtle, so I’m hoping it continues to grow nicely and bloom its lovely flowers.
It’s the small things – a butterfly, cardinal, crape myrtle – that bring joy every day if we just take a few moments to pay attention to our surroundings.
Choose Joy
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Choose joy this week. Look around you. Your home, yard, wherever you go. Take note of little things that make you feel good or cause you to smile.
This makes me smile:
I gave the vase picture (without the frame) to my mom when I was in 6th grade. My classroom teacher handed out a little pamphlet of items we could purchase. When I saw the beautiful vase and flowers, I thought my Mother would like it.
The picture only cost a dollar. Probably, I asked my dad for the money. I gave the picture, rolled up like it came in the package, to my mom. She loved it!
Mother did an amazing thing not long after that. She antiqued this frame and put the picture in it. For the rest of her life, she displayed the antiqued frame and picture on her bedroom wall. That was worth way more than $1. Priceless!!
One day when I was visiting her, she took me on a walk through the house. “I want you to show me the things you like. I’ll put your name on them and save them for you.” The vase of flowers in the antiqued frame was the first thing I thought of.
Now this antiqued frame with the priceless vase of flowers is displayed in my home.
Think about the beautiful memories that have brought you joy!