Joy

Today I am grateful for our grandsons and the perspective they give us. I am also grateful for the REST I had last night. I stopped and went to bed earlier than usual, and it helped.

Like my friend Betsy and her focus word of REST, JOY is the word my friend Jill brought to a recent conversation.

In coming off of a tough year in 2017 that saw much pain and many challenges for people I care about, and also brought me some job-related stress as well as minor, but noticeable, physical health issues, JOY is a good reminder, a good focus.

Some random thoughts on JOY:

*"Don't squeeze the joy out." Each day, each hour provides joy for the taking. Notice it.

* Joylets, as my sister Aileen calls them, can be as simple as the smell of fresh air or seeing the stars in the sky.

*The joy in forgiveness is real. Whether forgiving others, being forgiven by them, or forgiving ourselves, there is joy in the unburdening and the compassion needed to forgive.

*The joy in a bite of chocolate. Savoring a bite rather than taking a bite. There's a difference.

*The joy of grandchildren is immeasurable. They bring me right here, right now. They make me laugh. They exude joy and they do it naturally. When do we lose that?

We don't have to lose that. Seeking JOY today. I bet I will find some more.