Meri's Musings

One thing I've learned about cultivating JoY is that when you start looking for it, it shows up everywhere. In the weirdest places. In unbelievable forms and shapes. Like this guy. . . . found in an antique store in Thorp, Washington. It's a kitschy pitcher.   Trying saying that fast 5 times. I dare you. I bet you can't do it without laughing. And letting the JoY leak in. The crazy pitcher made me laugh out loud. If I hadn't been in a "paring down, simplify" phase of my life, I absolutely positively would have brought him home with me. Simply for the smiles he'd evoke. (Instead, I bought a beautiful embroidered handkerchief to add to my stash of beautiful nose wipes.) How are you cultivating joy? Share your wins, your misty-eyed moments, your ear-to-ear grins. Where do you find JOY? What thrills you? Notice it. Cultivate it. Celebrate it. Share it. ...

Yesterday, I spent some time leafing through my digi photo collection, looking for Uncommon Shapes , the 52 Photos Project theme for this week. As I reviewed various photo collections,  I found that every photo is linked to memories. . . of fun, of exploration,  of just  slowing down to notice appreciate the beauty all around me to refill my well. Hmmm. . .   those are all components of  cultivating joy. What a coincidence! How are you cultivating joy? Share your wins, your misty-eyed moments, your ear-to-ear grins. Where do you find JOY? What thrills you? Notice it. Cultivate it. Celebrate it. Share it. 1. do a post that tells and shows what gives you joy. 2. capture the URL of the specific post and paste it into  the Mr. Linky box along with your info. 3. Visit other players and let their ...

I find so much sustenance from music. Joy, really. There's nothing like being alone in the car, with That Old Time Rock 'n' Roll blasting, to lift your spirits. Music weaves seamlessly into the soundtrack of favorite movies, but more importantly, becomes the soundtrack of your life. There are those musical events that stand out. Concerts you're glad you attended. The first I remember, one I'm so privileged to have attended, was a night of Dave Brubeck. He died today at 91, a day before his 92nd birthday. He was a legend in the jazz world, becoming the first jazz artist to sell a million albums. His long-time musical partner, alto sac player Paul Desmond, wrote the saxophone melody for the Dave Brubeck Quartet's memorable piece "Take Five," a jazz classic in 5/4 time. The piece became the title song for the album.  I, as an adolescent, fancied myself a sophisticate and intellectual, so o...

Joy isn't something you get in a bottle or swallow in pill form. It starts with a whisper "yes" from your heart,  moves to pull the edges of your mouth into a smile and just dances outward from there.  It's something you find inside and cultivate. a feeling of lightness and contentment. You might notice the feeling of awe and delight in the roar of the waves  or in a child's shy smile. Because joy is something you create  from your willingness to notice the world around you and be touched by the smallest things, you never have to be apart from JOY. What harvest of joy have you reaped this week? To play along and share the joy: 1. do a post that tells and shows us  what gives you joy. 2. capture the URL of the specific post  and paste it into the  Mr. Linky box along with your name. 3. Then click the NEXT box If the "next" box doesn't pop up, click the link to go to the page to select your image -- choose one from your post...

What gives me joy? Dynamic, talented, fabulous girlfriends. A bit of mischief. Folk art. Going on a field trip with my camera, something that's on today's agenda. What gives you joy? To play along and share the joy: 1. do a post that tells and shows us  what gives you joy. 2. capture the URL of the specific post  and paste it into the  Mr. Linky box along with your name. 3. Then click the NEXT box If the "next" box doesn't pop up, click the link to go to the page to select your image -- choose one from your post so you'll entice people to visit. (If you just can't get it to work, email me and give me the URL of the post you're adding and I'll take care of it). 4. visit other players -- as many as possible --  and let their joy infect you.   5. Leave them a comment about their post because everyone enJOYs getting positive feedback. Let's start an epidemic of joy!