Joy. How do you feel it? What brings you Joy each day? How important is it in our daily lives? May I share some thoughts and experiences?

Recently, while leading one of our seminars, I was struck by the weight of stress, physically visible on and within the participants. This has become such a common state of being. How many times throughout the year are we all so stressed and anxious that we fail to stop and have and feel JOY? Everywhere I go teachers and leaders are working so hard and everything is always urgent. Albert Einstein said, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” It seems, for educators and everywhere in our country today, people are rushing, pushing, and struggling through this journey of life and work. How might a little more joy each day impact our minds, our emotions, our work – our lives? As I shared a story with our class, Vicky recommended that I might share it with you. So here goes…

Witnessing stress reminded me of a gift I was given so many years ago from a very special teacher, Dr. Ann McGee-Cooper. I was completing my certification for Gifted Education and had the gift of being in her classes. One of our assignments was to create a “Joy Time” book for different increments of time – from 5 minutes to several days. My little book has been a fixture in my desk since 1983. I shared with the class how impactful this small event reconnected me with my inner purpose and external joy of my work.

Having this memory emerge, I went deep into my desk to access my resource to write about Joy. As I lifted my little book and begin to read the pages after so many years, what I found was profound. Joy flooded out from the memories and the learning. This is what I’d love to share with you in the hopes that you will seek those moments of joy throughout your day.

In the two to five minutes section … my handwriting and my thoughts flew at me from the page.

…listen to “I Need to Be Still” song (which has provided strength to me each time I listen)

…enjoy a Coke (Y’all know how much I loved Coca Cola through the years)

…call a friend – make a date for lunch, happy hour, etc.

…hug someone

…turn the AC down to 75 degrees (this is hilarious, must have been really hot)

…sit quietly alone with a glass of wine

…compliment someone

…smell a Magnolia (my favorite flower in the world)

Just a few of a list of 54 things, and just in that section. I laughed, I smiled, I cried, just reading the things about what mattered, what stress I was experiencing and just reading what Kathy of 37 years ago was thinking and needing. It once again brought me JOY!

Theopedia defines JOY as “a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, confidence and hope.” Be still and consider…in just a few moments, what are some of the small things that bring you JOY and re-center you to be your best self?

Next time: I’ll continue to share more options for Joy, more stories and hopefully some thoughtful words or insights that touch you and lifts your JOY!