On Tuesday Kimberlee Conway Ireton wrote a guest post here at The Messy Middle for Eastertide and she talked about the habit of joy. It touched a beautiful spot and many commented. If you haven’t, please read the post.
She ended: “Friends, we have died with Christ, and we are raised with Him. Ring the bells, blow the trumpets, bang the gongs! And for the love of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us, live in joy! Here. Now. Go for a walk. Take a nap. Watch the sun rise, study a tulip. Listen to a symphony, or bird song, or silence. Read a good book. Read the Good Book. Bite your tongue. Smile. Sing. Pray. Raise your arms. Shout huzzah. Dance a jig. Sniff a lilac. Stare at the stars. I mean it. Quit reading this post and go do something that brings you joy. Then do it again and again and again till it becomes a habit, the habit of joy.”
Today, let’s not move on too quickly from the heart of Kimberlee’s encouragement to cultivate the habit of joy.
Life is hard. A dear friend started chemo this week. Another didn’t get an eagerly anticipated job. Yet joy is woven in too. A niece given several school awards. Another niece testing into a certain math class and called The Math Fairy (me) to share. A lost old, but beloved, passport was found and there was dancing. Life is not like a long road trip where the goal is to get to the destination fast with as few rest stops as possible.
Since Tuesday I have asked myself to do something joyful each day.This week, in the name of joy I:
- Stood an extra minute in the shower, noticing the water hitting my body.
- Danced with fresh abandon in Zumba. I can’t help it. Zumba brings me so much joy!
- Smelled the air after the rain.
- Wore my favorite pants . . . so far four days in a row. Will I wear them today? :)?
How about you? What have you done this week to cultivate joy? Please take a moment and share with us . . . it would bring me joy. Bet you saw that coming, wink. We really would like to hear.
Kimberlee, thanks reminding us that part of Eastertide is JOY.
Amy
“Life is not like a long road trip where the goal is to get to the destination fast with as few rest stops as possible.”
That’s what I’ve really learned in this season of therapy. Love this post, Amy. And I’m excited to share the ways I’ve cultivated joy this week with you as we cultivate joy together in the botanic gardens. ❤️
I sat outside on my deck with a journal and a cup of coffee and just watched…… everything and nothing. And listened…to everything. It brought me great joy to soak in God’s creation AND I wrote a poem about a spider who was in my view. Writing poetry brings me joy.
Thanks so much Amy (and Kimberlee) for this push/encouragement to take time for joy.
Being outdoors is crucial to living the joy-life. It’s the Book of Nature, and we’re supposed to read it :) So glad you got to sit and soak in it for a space.