What Brings You Joy?

 Yesterday I asked a single question on my Facebook group, what brought you joy today?  I got so many great responses, I wanted to share them here. Helping a friend, getting off of work, sitting outside feeling the sunshine on my face, talking to people in my childhood neighborhood, a call from my sister, my grandson running towards me when I picked him up, meeting family that lives out of state for dinner, great morning conversation with my wife, finishing a huge paper, cutting grass, walking the dog with my son, planting flowers, getting positive feedback from a professor, woke up able-bodied, waking up to my wife, getting my hair washed at a salon, work, quiet morning meditation, walking the neighborhood, tucking my kids into bed, closing the rings on my watch, pulling weeds and gardening. 

What hit me about this list is that most of them are simple, things we do daily that bring us joy and contentment.  I appreciate everyone who took the time to respond yesterday.  If you weren't aware, I have an open group on Facebook, please join if you haven't already.  It is called Shouldabeenabook. 

I have to be honest, it has taken a lot of practice to find pure joy in the little things. You have to make a conscious effort to decide and choose to put your mind in a positive head space so you can enjoy those little things.  Of course, I have bad days, and of course, I have bad energy sometimes but now I know how to deal with those days.  I have a huge appreciation for life in general.  I think that comes from the amount of loss I have had to deal with throughout my life.  Each day is not promised to us and I would rather do my best to try and enjoy them with the people who love me than to complain and focus on the negative. 

I encourage you to find your joy and live in it every single day.  Do the things that make you happy and surround yourself with those who bring you joy.  You should not walk around feeling defeated, and hopeless.  It's your time to experience the joy in the little things and the big things - all of the things!

Be BOLD friends and go find your JOY!!!