Joy Notes #5: Joy is all around you

Joy Notes #5: Joy is all around

Happy Sunday, everyone.  Welcome to Joy Note #5: Joy is all around you.

 I have been writing these Sunday Joy Notes for five weeks.  They are meant to encourage those of you who struggle with joy this time of year.

I also think our world news and happenings have robbed many of us of our joy.

My goal today is to simply have you open your eyes and look around… past the headlines

If you look for joy …you will find it!

 

JOY IS ALL AROUND US

Joy Notes #5

If you truly want to experience more joy in your heart and life, just stop what you are doing right now and look around.

Every time I open my front door, I pause a moment to appreciate the colors and smile.  The Christmas lights, poinsettias, bougainvilleas, and leavings changing give me joy with each step outside.

Joy can be found all around you…just now sitting at my desk, I find joy in the leaves changing outside my window, in my Christmas decorations, in the gifts I need to wrap at my feet, in my neighbors walking the street right this moment in front of my house.

I have learned to appreciate that our leaves change later than other places and I think our street in one of the prettiest in the city for colors. 

Joy Notes 5: Joy is all around you

Yesterday, I turned on Josh Groban’s new Christmas album and in the middle of it was a song I had never heard before...it brought me such joy.

Here are the lyrics for Thankful by Josh Groban:

Lyrics
 
Somedays, we forget to look around us
Somedays, we can’t see the joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can’t see
It’s up to us, to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There’s so much to be thankful for
Look beyond ourselves
There’s so much sorrow
It’s way too late to say, I’ll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
We’re so long overdue
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And everyday, we hope for
What we still can’t see
It’s up to us, to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There’s so much to be thankful for
Even with our differences
There is a place we’re all connected
Each of us can find each others light
So for tonight, we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day, we hope for
What we still can’t see
It’s up to us, to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
There’s so much to be thankful for
 
 
 
I guess I should stop here…the song says it all….but here is an example of when I paused for joy during a difficult time….
 
 
Joy Notes #5: Joy is all around you

Last February, when Texas, literally, the whole state, lost power during a major freeze, it was these little birds in our backyard that brought me joy.

I was so cold for three days, but taking the time to look around and find the joy, kept me going.

Also, learning to laugh at Mr. B and I as we cooked on a fireplace and tried very primitive ways to get through kept my joy glowing inside. 

Maintaining a sense of humor is always a good idea. 

Joy Notes #5: Joy is all around you

Tomorrow, I will share another road trip experience with you.  On this trip, Leigh Ann and I spend the longest amount of time in an antique store.

I found this German Kugel antique ornament in that store after looking over their treasures and as we were about to leave…and I love this ornament.  It gives me such joy.

A real Kugel ornament “has brass cap virtually flush with surface of ornament. The cut under the cap is smooth and almost flat to the ornament.”

I believe I found a real one!

I wasn’t really looking for an antique ornament, but this one jumped out of a bowl into my hand. 

You never know when little things will pop up and put a smile on your face….just look around. 

Pay attention to what you truly love and then follow your heart.

DARE TO DREAM

Joy Note #5

I never let so-called limitations like age or income keep me from dreaming and believing those dreams can actually happen.  

I dream often…and believe those dreams could be reality with help from above..  I know not what the future holds, but I do know the one who holds it.

Personally, I believe dreaming feeds joy…and keeps us from focusing on negatives.  What would you do, if you could do anything?

“DREAM BIG, STAY POSITIVE, WORK HARD AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.”  

 

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOU SMILE MOST

Joy Note #5: Joy is all around Joy Note #5: Joy is all around

Not all of my family lives close by, but I look at their pictures and faces every day…because they bring to me so much joy. 

Even if you don’t see them often, surround yourself with the pictures that mean the most and look at their faces daily.

I hope today will help you to discover the joy all around you…….remember to pause…appreciate…enjoy….

Now pause a moment with Josh Groban and I will see you tomorrow:

 KEEP SMILING!!

By Pamela Lutrell

Season of Joy on Over 50 Feeling 40

18 Comments

  1. This was such an uplifting post! I took a moment, played the song and I did as you did~ took those few minutes and looked around me to see oh so many things I am truly thankful for! You brought joy to my morning and my day. Thank you.

  2. I adore Josh…..if you have ever read “The DaVinci Code”, he is one of those people who make you believe it.
    I got a tickle out of you finding joy in people walking past your home, as im a walker….I walk in the mornings, but I love to see the evening walkers as that’s usually a family affair with strollers and dogs included. and whenever I see a young one with the training wheels on their bikes, I can actually remember that first taste of freedom with that first bike.

  3. Somehow watching the walkers makes me feel closer to the neighborhood. I also walk in the morning and occasionally walk the dog in the evening, when I see walkers while working, they are the mid day crowd! Thanks Sheryl!

  4. I send my gratitude for your uplifting message this morning. Thank you for sharing the songs.I am amazed at the talent songwriters have to convey so much in lyrics which touch our hearts profoundly. I thank you also for using your gift with words. Thank you for putting yourself out there and for the verbal and visual hugs and reminders each day to be positive and be a blessing. You are special.

  5. Thank You for your “Joy” messages! They are good reminders. I look for them each week and have enjoyed them so much.
    P.S. I agree what Louine said about your gift with words etc.

  6. Thank you, Lorraine for your kind words. I am so happy the posts are blessing others!

  7. Love your reminder today, “I believe dreaming feeds joy…and keeps us from focusing on negatives.” Even with strong faith, it’s challenging to dream during life’s valleys. Pamela, I’m going to implement some of your specific tips as I navigate a new journey – divorce – in my 70s. My motto, “Every day is an adventure,” covers all the bases.

  8. Pamela – We are in the midst of moving and downsizing. The usual extensive Christmas decorations in the yard and in the house are not going to be displayed this year. We just don’t have time. I hope, if our lights are missed, that people say a prayer for us. This corner has gone dark, but the lights will be back; just in a different place. I am enjoying the season through your posts and pictures. Thank you.

  9. Marin…change is hard, but can be exhilarating and I know your lights will return! Glad you are here during your transition!

  10. Sounds like you have determination to get through. I hope you don’t mind, but I am going to pray for your new journey.

  11. Thank you for reminding us that there is so much joy in the simple things of everyday life. Today is a gloomy day here, but I’ve turned the Christmas tree lights on to add some cheer. The house smells of vanilla from our French toast brunch. Today was Christmas music Sunday at church. This is a tradition that was missing last year. Such joyful sounds! Another returning tradition for me was purchasing a fresh evergreen wreath for my gate from the Boy Scouts. This greets me every time I return home. Joy is everywhere!

  12. Hi Pamela,
    I so enjoyed reading your post. I agree and try always to find Joy and Happiness in my life each and every day as you do. If not a good nights sleep cures so much.
    Fabulous that you found the German Kugel antique ornament. So exciting, it’s all about the hunt isn’t it and then finding that special treasure that wins your heart over,
    Your grandchildren are all adorable. I bet they melt you hearts.

Comments are closed.