Joy Note #1: Mornings Matter
Happy Sunday, ladies! Welcome to Joy Note #1: Mornings Matter.
There are eight Sundays during my Season Of Joy posts….that is right…only 8 until the end of the year!
I am going to spend Sundays to send to you little Joy Notes!
These are meant to inspire, encourage, and prepare you for a hopeful 2022.
Eight posts… inspired by Karen in Ohio, who has followed this blog from the beginning. She was honest in admitting there are times when she struggles with joy….as we all do.
She was looking forward to receiving some help in this area…especially over the holiday season.
So, the idea of weekly Joy Notes was birthed (actually in my shower where great thinking happens) after her comment, HERE
BEFORE WE BEGIN JOY NOTE #1
Before I begin our thought for today, let me explain that happiness and joy are two different emotions, but often confused with one another.
All of us experience struggles and sadness which affect our happiness from time to time. Yet, in the midst of those struggles, it is possible to still have joy, hope and contentment.
I do my best, one day at a time, to not allow trials and circumstances to rob me of my joy.
I do not want fear, anxiety, disappointment or anger to take away the overall contentment which lives within me. So, JOY NOTES are to share with you how I do just that…how do I disconnect difficulties from my joy.
JOY NOTE #1: MORNINGS MATTER
At the ripe old age of 68, I have learned that how I begin my day matters immensely.
Before my feet hit the floor, I make sure I have a hopeful outlook for the day and a heart of thanksgiving.
Choosing to begin my day with silver linings during the pandemic was critical and slowly the joy of the silver linings took over the job loss and all other big changes in my life.
I now begin each day with excitement to see what lies ahead and what enjoyment there is to discover.
IN QUIETNESS IS STRENGTH
If something is tugging at me with heaviness, then I must sit still to regain that excitement.
Quiet time at the beginning of the day is critical for me.
I spend this time in prayer handing over to God any burdens or trails on my heart, praying for others and remembering what I am thankful for.
You can also choose to meditate, journal, or listen to peaceful music.
This is the time though when I plug into my source of joy for the day and just focus on one day at a time. The future can hold many anxieties which will not only rob our joy but also hurt our health.
Just start with one morning at a time. Then get up and do it again the next day.
I do this each morning faithfully…even before my daily walk or exercise….well, ok, maybe not before coffee!
JOY IS A CHOICE
Joy really is a choice….for those of you thinking, “But I am Not a morning person!”
You can choose to begin your day grumpy or discontented.
Or you can choose to be hopeful and look for the joy inside you.
You can choose to focus on the difficult circumstances right from the beginning of your day or you can choose to focus on the blessings amidst the difficulties.
It is a choice.
There are so many lessons and so much strength in beginning fresh every day with a hopeful outlook. That outlook can then chart your course for the remainder of the day.
Practice this daily…practice arising with a joyful outlook for what lies ahead.
Life is too short to spend mornings any other way.
Love you all! Thank you for being here…tomorrow, back to fashion and seasonal fun!
KEEP SMILING!!
For those shopping today, there are a few really great sales already in progress….
TALBOTS BUY ONE, GET ONE 50% OFF
JCP ADDS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS DAILY
KOHLS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS WITH ONLINE AND IN-STORE COUPON
MACY’S BLACK FRIDAY EARLY ACCESS, THIS ENDS TODAY
ANN TAYLOR FRIENDS OF ANN WINTER EVENT, ENDS NOV. 10. 40% OFF WITH CODE FRIENDS
NORDSTROM BLACK FRIDAY DEALS UP TO 40% OFF
LANDS END – UP TO 60% OFF YOUR ORDER WITH CODE FOREST
BED BATH & BEYOND BIG DEALS THROUGH END OF TODAY
CHICO’S SAVE 10% WHEN YOU SHOP ONLINE AND PICK UP IN STORE
By Pamela Lutrell
This is it Pam, separating joy from emotions, i.e., happiness. Like you, I begin my days in the same way and use the First Five app before I even get up, then one other book. But adding in starting the day with gratitude is something I’ll focus on. Also, your suggestion about “one day at a time” is something I needed to hear again. I learned that MANY years ago and often have reminded myself and others that sometimes we have to break it down to hours and minutes when things are really overwhelming. Thank you for mentioning that! The challenge is going to be reframing “joy” and realizing it doesn’t depend on happiness or elation. I’m grateful for these posts and your willingness to break it down and help us to see it for what it is! Thank you!
You are welcome, Karen! I believe living one day at a time is empowering. Helps us to keep difficulties from shutting us down. Let’s make the most of this wonderful Sunday!
ah, the morning quiet time…I love it so. when I take my morning walk around 7a, and if I get to see the neighborhood cats, and birds chirping, and a pretty sunrise, I feel like its a hug from God.
when I get back in the house and brew my coffee, I feel energized and ready to see what chores or errands I need to do, or feel like doing.
now, all of that makes me grateful and happy and content….but, actual Joy, that’s a little trickier for me. can’t actually remember ( I will have to think about it) the last time I felt that jump up and down happy feeling that is my definition of Joy….something for me to address I think.
I love your hugs from God! That’s a great place to start with understanding joy!
Pam, I stand beside you in your description of joy. I start my day in the same ways that you do….so important for me! I have found my joy increases as I purposely spend my time serving others in need.
Thank you for your daily words and being a blessing in my life.
Thank you, Anne! I plan to talk more about service to others! I so agree that it feeds our joy!
Such a beautiful and timely post! A good, healthy and wondrous way to begin each new day. Thank you for your inspiration.
Thank you for being here, Deanna and for the encouragement!
Excellent point and ideas today. I love how often you use the words “choose” and “choice.” I would always tell my kids at school to choose their day. To choose to try, instead of to fail. To choose to be kind, instead of hitting send on a mean comment. To choose to rise above a hurtful remark or broken oh-so-important junior high relationship. I do try to do this in my own life too, and since retiring, have come to cherish mornings that used to be an insane rush out of the door and a feeling of being shot out of a cannon at 8:05, when the bell rang and I was suddenly “on.”
I look forward to these posts. Joy might be too strong a word for me…too close to happy, which can’t be sustained, but I understand the objective, especially in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season….I like the word Contentment, which may not resonate with others, but contains a sense of okayness in the center of whatever is swirling about. I need a morning routine. Thanks for the reminder.
When I send birthday greetings on Facebook to my former students, I tend to include something like “wishes for much joy, happiness, and love” in my greeting. I think of joy as coming from inside one’s self…joy when you see a beautiful sunset, joy when you hold a baby, joy that you feel content in your life. After reading your comments, I thought how each morning before I get up, I think about the day ahead, and find some good thought that “sets my day “ so to speak. I choose to show the joy I feel in small things outwardly as happiness to others. Realizing that many people in my community have little joy or happiness in their world, I try to smile, offer compliments to strangers, provide Sunday worship experiences in a local Senior Care Home, write so-called “ Science for Adults” posts on Facebook where I explain in simple terms the “joys” I receive from scientific situations in my daily life. Perhaps I have gone far afield with my thoughts but this is my representation of joy in my life, hoping my joy will bring happiness to others.
Nothing can compare with the time we spend with Him. True joy! I wish I lived close to you and you were my friend! Thank you for being you. Jane
You brought back fond memories for me, Linda. For years, I went to my classroom early enough to have my quiet time there. You are right when the bell rang we were ON. I miss it terribly but am thankful for a new phase of life experiences.
Actually, Sue …I have contentment on a list of topics for Joy Notes. Thanks for mentioning the word and I hope this will help you with mornings.
Thank you for sharing Celia…never worry about saying too much here.
We can be virtual friends, Jane. I cherish each friendship I have through the blog…though many I have never seen face to face. Thank you for being here and being my friend.
So often, we confuse joy with happiness. Finding joy is indeed a choice & a process. I start my day by thanking God for the new day & saying Psalm 118: 24 “This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” It reminds me to look at the day as a gift. Thank you for sharing these Joy Notes.
And thank you for sharing this verse…one of my favorites!!
This is such a wonderful topic. Before I get out of bed I think of five things I am grateful for. The first is usually that I am still alive. I feel that gratitude leads to joy. Thank you, Pam!
You are welcome, Jill! Five reasons to get up every day with joy is a wonderful plan.