20 Daily Delights: Writing a Joy List as a Reminder to Focus on Gratitude
I sat in the dining room with my coffee, cereal and journal.
“I’m crabby. Crabby. Crabby. Crabby,” I wrote.
I went on to list all the little irritations irking me, distracting me from the sunshine streaming in the windows and the flowers in the vase on the table and the project waiting for me in my studio.
“The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”
—Russell M. Nelson
I recently read about how anger can become a habit, that it wears you down mentally and physically. Is that me? I wondered.
I don’t want it to be. And I knew writing what was essentially an anti-Joy List wouldn’t help.
“Let’s rewrite things, ok?” I wrote. “Rewrite the story to be one of joy. Rewrite the story to be one of quiet contemplation, of curiosity and creativity and a desire to discover and savor beauty.”
I have to remind myself of this again and again. I know joy is a choice. I know writing Joy and Gratitude Lists brings my attention to everyday beauty. And yet, I still need reminders.
Maybe you could use a reminder, too?
Here are 20 things on my Joy List:
Cut dahlia flowers from the garden all over the house.
October sunshine streaming through the windows.
Listening to The Olive Farm for the umpteenth time.
Rearranging, cleaning and organizing my studio.
Eating the last harvests of sungold tomatoes (and hoping I get another handful or two).
An impromptu evening exchanging group texts with two best friends.
This sweet face with her crooked, pouty bottom lip:
Bringing home stacks of books from the library.
Making and eating pizza and dreams and plans for LOTS of cold-weather cooking and baking.
My art.
Recommitting to yoga again and again (and shifting my focus to be proud of the days I show up on the mat instead of beating myself up for the days I don’t).
The changing colors of the trees and the garden.
Taking Liz’s class Five Things.
Spending time with my favorite person.
Fleece sheets.
Inspiration from other artists.
Making soothing tea with tulsi from the garden.
Writing myself notes with Scrabble tiles.
Scented candles and incense.
Cleaning out closets (and then opening the door to a perfectly organized space).
YOU and all my dear blog readers.
I closed my journal, finished my cereal and took a long, rambling walk with Clara. By the time I got home, I felt so much better.
Now it’s your turn. What’s bringing you joy today? What are you grateful for?
I hope you grab some paper and write your own list and maybe share a few in the comments, too.