What brought you JOY - Week 8

 “Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” ~ Henri J.M. Nouwen

Each week I sit down at the computer and reflect upon the previous days preparing the story of how I discovered joy, joy that is often unrecognized in the shuffle of life where days are overcome by routine and obligation.

Some days joy is the furthest from my mind until a sunrise creates a respite and I stop to notice a simple joyful moment. But joy is in so many of the in between breaths, the space of everyday when laughter is found in the stories of long ago, the details that connect us in magical ways.

Recently on a trip with my husband instead of dreading the long drive before us I recognized the joy that uninterrupted time provided, allowing us to rekindle the chapters of our life with the encouragement we offer one another towards reaching a current goal, as well as the scatter of laughter that creates new memories of joy to return in the future. 

While the power to purchase "things" may have some appeal at first that excitement slowly trickles away with time, but memories, especially joyful ones have the capability to spark joy long after they occur.

Unraveling the joy within always creates a change in perception. Each season of life recalling the previous memories where joy still lingers I recognize the rewards in its place.  

Looking back at what brought joy...