Sometimes its hard to find

Yep thats right. Today is one of those days. It's been a tough one all the way around, but I know its just for a moment, and it will be over. Still, its a beautiful day, the sun came out (althought its cold) and its blustery... I do enjoy windy days, wind is so powerful! I have managed to smile, even laugh, on this day that wasnt so joyful. Since it hasn't been a day I can easily bubble with joy, I would love to share with you a joy I had not time to tell you about before! I entered a photo conntest and my picture was pipcked to be in a book! It is so very exciting! I doubt I will ever be a "famous" photographer, but it was so cook to get the letter asking permission to use my photo! I felt just like Steve Martin in the JERK when he found his name in print (in the phone book) FAMOUS!

School Daze, School Daze!

I started school today! And there I found my joy.... it was very unexpected (for me). The first assignment was to write and post an autobiography. So looked them all over, and what a diverse group I will be attending with! And there was my joy! A young man, who has had many tough times in his life. Yet this young man of 19 seemed to be working hard to a good future, and although he had some tough times in the inner city, he always seemed to keep thing positive and focus on his future. He made me smile. Just reading it I felt proud of him. I guess I had wished I had started looking for my joy when I was a kid. Of all the people I could have spoke to today, this young man was the one that brought me joy, touched my heart and made me smile. Cant really explain why I feel so moved by him.... He might never become famous, or a super star, but somehow I know there is a special place in the universe for him. Funny...strangers can bring joy into our lives, if we let them. Try giving a stranger the time of day some time... might make you both smile.

Bad Hair Day?

Jan 4 - Every expect to find Joy in the supermarket? I did! (but I might be wicked) I had to smile as I walked around the store looking at everyone's... HAIR! I could not help myself. The comb over, the lady with the BAD perm and mulit-colored red highlights... I was so sure she thought it looked good I just had to laugh to myself..... Yep, sure made me feel better about the way MY HAIR LOOKED (gag)

Jan 3 - Happy Birthday Linda!

My Cuzzie.....My Joy. Though my Cousin is not here physically today, I know she will always be with me! Linda was by far the most giving person I have known. And while I miss her terribly I treasure all the time I had with her! Thanks for taking me to the movies when I was a kid, teaching me to sew, and showing me my worth! I reflect back on what we had and remind myself to exprience such great joy, I will also feel the loss more deeply! Dont be sad because its over, be happy because it happened!

Wednesday's Joy

Jan 2 - Today was an ordinary day. Nothing much to report I was thinking. Just work, and my group meeting. I work alone, and normally see no one during the day (hmmm Joy?) So as I reflected back on my day I asked myself.... Where was my joy? And then it hit my like a ton of bricks!!! It was my group! I met with a GROUP of people who truely care about ME! I thought of these wonderful people, many friends and felt so very fortunate to have them. They not only care about me, but I care about them! They bring me JOY! I can only hope, that I return the JOY to them! Love you guys!

Jan 2 2008

So, I came across a booklet that I had started a couple years ago. I had simply written down 1 thing that brought me joy that day. I guess it was a time in my life, when I was encouraging someone else to LOOK for something that brought them joy that day, and I decided to take a spoonful of my own medicine. Funny thing about doing this is, as you do it each day, it becomes easier to FIND that joy...no matter how bad things can be, there is always something that can bring you joy, no matter how small. And if it ever comes a time that you simply cant find joy... you could always flip the pages backward, read what brought you joy the days or years before.... and find joy all over again! That said I have decided to Look for my joy every day! I hope you can find your joy too!