What Brings YOU Joy?
 

Sometimes with all of the turmoil in the world around us and when just day to day living gets overwhelming I make myself stop and think about something that brings me joy. Not just run-of-the-mill happiness, but lump-in-your-throat, tears-in-your-eyes joy. It never fails to get me out of my doldrums.

Today mine was listening to my three teenagers practice music together for an upcoming event where they have been asked to play. They were working together so sweetly and actually being kind and helpful to each other (not a snark to be heard!). The music of course was that much the sweeter because of it.

One of the three almost died in 2006 of cardiomyopathy and spent two months in the ICU. So, seeing him healthy and strong and sawing away on his violin.....Pure joy.

I would love to hear about your joyful moments.

I am happiest when,
1. the sun is just THINKING about going down
2. the weather is such that the windows are open
3. I can hear kids playing up the street, or someone is mowing their lawn
4. there is a wonderful old movie on television
5. I am making something wonderful for supper
and
6. Jim will be home in about 20 minutes.

Just thinking about it puts a smile on my face.

You're right, we need to think about all the good things in our life, especially when we are stressed over something.

The joy and loves of our lives can't ever be replaced, and never forgotten, where as some of the things we've stressed over often (not always) disappear from our memory.

My joy is my family and the love that we share. Without them and all the memories we've made, some good, some not so good, my life would be very different.

Seeing my husband or my son walk thru the door.
Watching my kitty Zoey do just about anything.
fabric shopping or making something for someone, and seeing them enjoy it.

My joy moments are frequently around newborn or little babies...their births, theirs smiles, their actions, their pictures in cute outfits, their interactions with family pets. After several years in birthwork, I just LOVE babies, their purity, and the promise of the beauty of the future they bring. :) :) :)

Jan in VA

Pure joy is my family when I get to talk to them. Often I get on Facebook and am on the phone at the same time. One evening right after supper, DH and I both got phone calls from both boys (they planned it) and the daughters were with them (r 4 DGDs). right after we spoke (2 1/2 hrs) we were told to go to the FB. The 2 oldest taped everyone while we were on the phone. That was better than Christmas and they had us on speakerphone. That was pure joy. DH and I talked even after we went to bed. Sometimes technology is pure joy. We've decided we may just Skype the next call. Probably will. Be ready for the next one.

I am happiest when all 6 of the kids are home with their families. It's all about family with me. My youngest granddaughter came to stay with me a couple hours last week while her mom ran errands. She's 2 1/2 and was squealing with delight when she got out of the car to see Grandma, (me). Moments like that are priceless.

Yep, priceless.

i am overjoyed that my #7 grandchild was born this morning at 4:13 at over 5 pounds because he was only at 32 weeks gestation :thumbup:. he's in an incubator but should be out soon.
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I think we all feel the same way. Our families bring us joy. Our hearing children playing. Birdsong, the smell of freshly mown grass....grandbabies....

The joy and loves of our lives can't ever be replaced, and never forgotten, where as some of the things we've stressed over often (not always) disappear from our memory.

Words of wisdom, Cathywv!

Small stuff.....I try and find one joyful/beautiful moment in every day....keeps me balanced and keeps me going.

I had a joy moment today at my granddaughters school skit. When she saw me she came running and gave me a great big hug. She always has a smile on her face that lights up the room. When I was ready to go another hug was received.

Lots of things bring me joy! Today is was my big fuzzy buddy who somehow knew I needed some attention laid down next to me and put his paw on my arm , and then rested his fuzzy face on my shoulder.

I find my greatest pleasure in the real everyday things that most people are to busy to see.

The sunrise on my way to work
watching bathing birds
turkeys taking dust baths in the drive way and going to roost in the trees at night
someone holding a child's hand in a gentle, unrushed way
the first spring peepers and poly wogs
friends visiting and doing nothing together
any rescued animal

You may or may not see the awesome in these simple daily things. There are many more I could list. I wake up grateful for a new day and am grateful at the end for having had it. And yes, these things do bring a lump to my throat.
peace

Now, that is definitely a joyous sight!!

My primary joy today is the fact that my best friend, love, and husband celebrated our 43rd anniversary yesterday!!
On the way home from some shopping and a simple dinner out, we received congrat calls from our two joys....DD and DGS!

I do see the awesome in these daily things, ube. I was once unloading a truckload of freshly cut firewood to heat our cabin for the winter. I just happened to look up and, so close that I could actually see the outline of each feather, was a bald eagle. It so took my breath away that my knees turned to jelly and I had to abruptly sit down. A one of a kind moment.

Besides my family, I'd say that wildlife and wild natural scenery bring me joy. Classical music, too.

Congratulations, nanacc. Truly a reason to be full of joy. :thumbup:

Congratulations! He is beautiful! I am so glad he already weighs 5 lbs and pray he will be going home soon.

I can so relate to this. I live in Colorado and drive to work each day over the Cherry creek dam road. Thru the year, I get to see deer. But at this time of the year I get to see a pair of coyotes, sometimes out on the ice, and my absolute favorite is the Eagles. I have watched them fly over the dam. I have seen up to 6 of them perched in the trees in the mornings. I have watched one dive for a fish in the water, and just last week there were about three on the ice, and it looked like 2 of them were "play" sparring. There is just something about the sunlight reflecting off of those white heads. The only thing that has given me as much joy and awe is when we went to Hawaii and saw the whales in the ocean.
Beyond that, my family with all of their idiosyncrasies give me the greatest joy. Especially when my grandson Noah looks at me and says
"Ha, you're so funny yia yia!

Happy day!
Susan

The things that bring me joy are all the things mentioned here, my family, my pets, a beautiful sunny day, listening to birds singing, etc... I cannot describe the feelings these bring.

Susan, I remember standing at my kitchen sink doing dishes and seeing an eagle swoop down to the river (the Roaring Fork) it was down a slight ravine, a stones throw from our cabin, and come up with a trout in its talons. Another one of THOSE moments.

Canmitch, I agree wholeheartedly with your tagline. Life without animals would be unbearable to me.

Seeing a grandchild having a quiet moment when they think no one is looking. Any one of the three grand kids calling me Grandma. My two rescue dogs fussing over who gets to sit in my lap. They are both big dogs LOL! Early morning wildlife near my house. I live in Colorado so I never know what I will see! The sunset over the Rocky Mountains never fails to get me. Seeing my DH when I least expect it. I could go on and on but I won't. :D

This beats out everything, I think.

There's so much to be joyful about and thankful for. It's easy to forget that with the constant barrage of bad news. I really just wanted to say congrats to the new grandma!!

Spending time with my loved ones, hubby, sons and daughters, and grandkids.

Right now it's hearing my sweet husband playing with our 9 month old Granddaughter.

Just reading these can bring tears to my eyes. A summer sunrise, thanking God for the beauty He has given us; Babies so sweet and innocent; all my family gathered around the dinning room table; the American Flag flying high and free. I have more blessings than I can count.

Congratulations QuiltnNan.................what a beautiful baby.
My favorites:
Our three children, my husband and I, all together for whatever occasion,
babies,
grandchildren playing and pointing out the world from their innocent but observant eyes,
an older couple holding hands,
our 2 puppies romping in the woods with my DH, all three with pure joy in their eyes and hearts,
our gorgeous sunsets over the prairie,
wildlife,
the first buds and flowers of Spring,
birds at the feeder,
a raptor gliding across the sky,
sunshine, dew drops on the grass, hoarfrost on the grasses and trees,
the first (and last) snowflakes of winter LOL

My joy is being with my family.

Looking at my DH setting in the room with me when I came so close to loosing him. Seeing my Children happy and well. Hearing my DGC laughing and having fun. Knowing my God is with me and is there for me whenever I need Him.

Amen. You said it well.

I love to hear kids running around, being kids. I also love playing with my dog, he is hilarious! I also love trying to sew and having Bruno ( my cat) do everything he can to get my hands off the fabric, and on him., or off the tablet, the computer, a book, whatever I am doing when it is time to pet the cat! Lol! I also love the never ending battle DH has with miss kitty over his lap, she thinks he should sit when ever she wants to nap. Visiting with my daughters, and friends, making quilts, dolls, clothing, just about anything made of fabric are other things that make me happy! I have lots to be thankful for and never forget that "it could be worse".

Being with my family, knowing that my husband cherishes me, the beauty of nature, focusing on my blessings

I had a health scare 3 years ago when I realized how close I was to the other side. It puts a different perspective on what a gift it is to have another day to enjoy.

My joy is my family but being a home health aid was also a joy. I so loved the elderly I took care of. They were all like grandparents to me. I am thinking of them all as I sit here and laughing to my self over some of the things they did.
Mrs. D was a 96 yr old little Italian lady who was full of stories about coming to America.She had a hinged brace that she stepped into and it came over her knee. After a morning bath she would put on her stocking then the brace all by herself. When the brace was on she would hit her knee and listen for the click which meant she did it right and could get up and walk. Robert was in his 70's and worked hard at thinking up new tricks to play on me :) he was so funny every day I went to him was a treat. His wife would just say "Oh, thank God your here". He wouldn't listen to me,lol.

The collage art professor who asked if I minded if he walked around naked since he was going to take a shower anyway:)( And George who came from Austria and managed a well known hotel in NYC. He said for sure there was a PIPPY LONGSTOCKING. He and his wife would tell me all about the Christmas Balls they would have and how he and his wife would open the ball with the first waltz. I was also his secretary and would write letters to his son who still lived in Austria. Then Helen who was a rather large lady who went into the shower with her clothes on so I wouldn't see her naked. LOL the shower door was plain glass. Guess she forgot about that. So many more and such fun times.

Many things bring me joy...sunrises, sunsets, majestic mountains, a snow fall, mother nature unleashing the buds of spring, or the colors of fall. Wildlife, clouds, country roads and churches. My absolute joy comes from my family...DH, DS's DIL and two DGS. When we are all together I love just watching each one, interact with everyone else, laughing, joking and just talking. A grandchild curled up on my lap. Sometimes I think my heart will burst!!

Seeing your avatar. That made me smile.