Here's the thing about joy; it's happy. Here's the thing about me; my default setting is often frustration, not happy. That made me feel bad for a long time. So, I worked harder to be happy, to feel joy. It didn't work...and I got more frustrated. Seriously, What was WRONG with me??
It took a long time to realize that joy is what happens to me when I become fully immersed in a moment. For me those moments come when I'm painting, or walking, or gardening, especially when I find something just a bit magical -- like that frosty dogwood twig in the photo. It's 'winter rest' and 'spring potential' all in one! I love stuff like that! That makes me happy - and then the joy comes spilling in.
For me, the trick is to get out of my own way. To do the things I love, get excited about the things I get excited about and then linger on those moments. For me, joy comes when I let myself linger.
Linger. Even the word makes me happy. This year I'm going to be doing a lot more lingering. Over mugs of hot tea, over my walks, over the paint, over the garden, over dinner, over all sorts of things.
What sorts of things will you be lingering over this season?
