The Joy List
My own attempt to focus on the life-giving, joy-giving moments in my life. For more detail about my Joy List and how it came about, please see The Joy List.
1. Drinking red wine and listening to jazz while I cook dinner
2. My favorite soft, creamy sweater on a cold day
3. Sitting on the porch during an afternoon thunderstorm
4. The silence of early morning when the sun is not yet up
5. Lazy Sunday mornings with coffee and the paper
6. An afternoon on the couch with my “trash TV”
7. A vase of bright, colorful flowers
8. Nightswimming in the sea under the light of the moon
9. Manicures and pedicures
10. My husband grabbing me each night to wrap himself around me and fall asleep
11. Journals and stationery. I love pretty paper and envelopes. My new journal is my favorite so far. I like it so much that I’ve only been able to write one page in it. It’s still pristine.
12. Not having plans. I make plans all week long and live according to a comfortable routine. My favorite thing about the weekend is to not make plans and see what happens. I love waking up and feeling like the day is really a blank slate.
13. Getting lost. I like to wake up and decide to take off. Pack a map and some snacks and see where the road goes. I’ve gotten Gregory into doing this, too.
14. Reading. Books are everything to me. I love the worlds inside them.
15. Laughing
16. My sudoku puzzles and crosswords
17. Gin and tonics made with Hendrick’s gin
18. Lemon trees
19. Riding on the back of a motorbike through the Cretan hills
20. The sight of my husband at the table in the morning – mussy hair, silly pajamas, looking like he’s just lost his best friend
21. Karaoke on the couch with friends, beers, and no inhibitions
22. The female kitty who suns herself on our garden wall. I wake up to her peaceful presence every morning.
23. Girls’ Morning Out each Thursday morning – the girls, good coffee, good conversation, and a café by the sea
24. The sound of church bells pealing madly
25. Assam tea with a touch of milk and sugar
26. The first dip of the toes in the icy water of the sea … especially if it is on Easter Sunday in the company of friends
27. The neighbourhood florist’s dog who has more perfectly coordinated outfits than most people do
28. The sight of the mountains from my back patio
29. The butterflies that visit our flowers and flit to and fro
30. My new hot pink track pants!!!
Do you keep a Joy List?
What little (and big) things bring joy to your world, to your day?
Chania congratulations for a Joy List that is simple and stays away from the 100-Things-to-Do-Before- You-Die approach which is just a tick box, done that lifestyle typeclub. Joy is all around us and we don't need to fly to every corner of the world to discover it. Blessings for discovering yours!
John
@John Sherry: Hi, John. It was great to see you today. I'm so glad you stopped by and that you enjoyed this list, my little attempt to contribute simple joy to the world. You are so right about us not needing to fly here, there, and everywhere to know joy. In fact, if we have to do that, then we'll probably never find it. Blessings to you too! Hope to see you again.