joy

What Brings You Joy? Stop. Think. Make a List.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Today Daily Word  talked about what it is that brings us joy.  They suggested creating a “joy chest” of photographs, quotes, ideas, etc. that we can refer to when looking for joy in our lives. I smiled thinking about my blog. I seem to capture all those things right here. But I also decided to make a list of what brings me joy.

joie loves Kylie

1.  Time with my dogs, Kylie and Joie, whether walking them, cuddling them or just hanging out with them.

2.  Time with my husband, John.  Playing Yahtzee, talking, date nights, laughing, dreaming, hanging out around our chimenia, watching movies…

3.  Lunch dates with my mom. Not only does this bring me joy but it fills my soul back up with nothing like the love of a Mom.

4.  Reading a good book.  Books that inspire me, give me hope, make me smile, make me laugh, and especially books that make me think.  I’m re-reading Tammy Strobel’s book right now, You Can Buy Happiness (and It’s Cheap) . This girl knows the meaning of joy and I’m utterly fascinated by her tiny house living.

5.  Taking pictures.  This was not always on my list, but with the photography course I’m taking I’m finding joy in looking through the lens of my camera in a new way.

6.  Watching a child play.

7.  Planting flowers.

8.  Riding my bike. So anxious for spring and hoping Joie is going to love riding in the basket on my bike as much as Frankie did.

9.  Puttering around my house with my favorite movies or shows playing in the background. I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s and my all time favorite TV show is “Bewitched.” I have all the shows on DVD.

10.  Time with friends.

11.  Perusing through country and cottage magazines– Country Living, Cottages and Bungalows and Cottage Journal among my favorite.  I love this best in the summer sitting out on the deck with a glass of wine.

12.  Seeing a full moon.

13.  Walking by the lake.

14.  Listening to instrumental music.  I especially love soundtracks to movies I love.

15.  Seeing an old couple holding hands.

16.  Finding quotes that speak to me and writing them in a journal of quotes I keep.

That’s my list for now. What is it that brings you joy?  Make a list and feel free to share in the comments. I’d love to hear!

The Secrets of Joy

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

Today I was having a difficult time in discovering something to share as part of my 31 days in January as part of my River of Stones and noticing the world around me. It is very cold here in Wisconsin with a few inches of snow blanketing the ground that we got over the weekend, and the winds still howling, making it quite frigid. All I want to do is stay snuggled in from the world.

So as I contemplated what my stone would be today I looked around my writing studio. On my window sill I have a darling little book called, “The Secrets of Joy” I received from a friend over 10-years ago. I hardly ever pick it up to look at it, but it called out to me as my stone for today.  It made me smile to see the sun on the cover as well as the word Joy. Joy is my favorite word.

So I opened the book at random to this saying:

“I’m fulfilled in what I do… I never thought that a lot of money or fine clothes– the finer things of life– would make you happy. My concept of happiness is to be fulfilled in a spiritual sense.”  ~Coretta Schott King (b. 1927)

How many of us can say we are fulfilled in what we do? I know I can say that and my journey the past seven years or so. It has not always been easy, but I am doing work that fulfills me and excited about my new area of Reiki study that I think will fulfill me in my continuing efforts to work with animals.  Animals bring me some of the most joy in my life and they fulfill me in so many ways.

The sun on the cover of the book slso reminded met that it is always there. Even though it is very cold outside, I am reminded that warmth and blooming flowers will once again be here before I know it. And I the fact the weather man has said it will be 44 degrees by Thursday makes today a bit easier to bear.  🙂 But I also know I always have a choice to choose Joy everyday of my life no matter what the weather or circumstances.

Staying Positive By Building Your Tribe

Posted by Barbara Techel


Living with more joy and being positive is a path I’ve been on for a little over 10-years now. Staying positive in a world that can seem to thrive on negativity can make it challenging for me to stay positive. It’s a choice I make to look for the good out there. It’s a choice I make to find joy in each day. Am I always successful? Do I fall back into old patterns? Yes, I do, because I am that one thing I can’t escape, which is being human. But I also know that what I am seeking is to be a more spiritual person, winding my way back to which I came from.

I’ve got so many people in my life that keep me on my positive and joyful journey. I am very grateful. I call them my tribe. But my tribe really began because of a chocolate lab named Cassie who made me stop and think about living more fully. I carry her with me in my heart daily. Then, of course, my biggest lessons learned to date have come from my dachshund, Frankie, who was diagnosed with IVDD in 2006 and was fitted for a doggie wheelchair after losing the loss of her hind legs.

My tribe has grown immensley since then. As Frankie ages (now 12) and we have slowed down a bit in our work together, I feel this new transition taking place inside me. I can’t quite name it or see what the next path ahead is… but I feel something new wanting to blossom. I know in time I will know. I’ve learned to trust that process more. And I get excited about it even though I can’t quite name what it is I’ll be doing next.

My tribe also expands as I find myself seeking deeper meaning. One connection that has been helping me in my expanding, as well as in my writing is author Jon Katz and his farm journal entries on his website, Bedlam Farm. I’ve followed him for years and see a new transition in him, which most days has me awash in tears (good, not bad) and saying, “Oh My God” because something he says sends off a spark of resonating in my heart.

Another newly discovered blog is Mary Muncil from White Feather Farm. She’s given me many joyful goosebumps lately. And another new one is Jenna Woginrich and her blog is Cold Antler Farm. Jenna is a young woman in her 20’s who went after wanting to have her own farm. Her courage and zest for living her dreams is so inspiring. Her new book, Barnheart had me eagerly turning the pages and then sad that I came to the end. I wanted to read so much more about her. I have no doubt though that she will continue to write books.

When we connect with our tribe there is no doubt that it helps to keep us in balance, to think deeper, to live more fully, and to share that piece of ourselves in the world, hopefully setting off a spark in another. We may not always know who we touch, but if we live into who we were truly meant to be, the universe takes care of the rest.

So today I’m making a choice to make it a good day- to find joy no matter what- to expand on my thoughts- and live more deeply from my heart.

Thank you, Mary Muncil of White Feather Farm for sharing this TED video which was the start to my joy today and making it a good day. I hope others will take the time to watch and listen to this thought provoking 10-minute video. Stop the to-do lists, the worrying, the hustle and bustle of the season, kick back… and “just be” as you watch…