At one time, I used to make seasonal joy lists; fun, joyful activities to do during that season. The last one was in March 2019, when I posted a list of Spring Joys. Then, for some reason or the other, I stopped. Probably because, when discussing them with my daughter, she suggested that there should be daily joyful activities. After that, I began to list daily joyful activities, but, over the months, they became less of a planned activity I looked forward to doing and became something I did that day which brought me joy.
Which is fine, too, because it means that I don't have to necessarily plan an activity and do it in order to feel joyful; I can find joy in the mundane, every day things that I do, just as well. Some of those daily joyful activities include drinking my tea in my favorite cup, chatting with my daughter, blogging, being in the garden, and exchanging emails with a friend. I do these things on a daily basis and they bring me joy.
But, today, I thought about being a little more intentional with my joyful activities. With that in mind, I put together a list of joyful activities for September; these are in addition to the daily joys that take place currently.
September Joys:
- Play with fabric and/or yarn
- Music (Play the piano, listen to CDs, sing)
- Art (color, sketch, paint)
- Spend time in the garden
- Craft
- Read a book or two
- Do a flower arrangement
- Take photographs (monthly mini challenge, SPSH, etc.)
- Bake something (when cool enough to do so)
- Afternoon naps
- Enjoy an iced coffee
Today, being the first of the month, I made milk rice for breakfast and made some spicy onion relish (seeni sambol) to go with it.
In the afternoon, I had my piano lesson. No new piece, this week, but, I am to increase my tempo on all my pieces.
I also made it a point to bring in the trash cans as soon as they were emptied!
Later in the afternoon, I took a short nap!
After tea, I took a couple of photos for the monthly mini challenge, put water to the back yard and walked for 15 minutes in the driveway. I wanted to walk for 20 minutes, but, my big toe began to hurt! Maybe I should try to do two 15 minute sessions. I also watered the few indoor plants that I have.
After dinner, I called friend R and spoke with her for a bit.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Being alive 5 years after my cancer diagnosis (the confirming biopsy was done five years ago, today)
- Having medical insurance
- My daughter
- Learning to play the piano again
- Having a garden
Today's joyful activities have been many (playing the piano, an afternoon nap, taking photographs, etc.), but the one I choose to list is chatting with my daughter.
I listed potential trips/things to do for my September staycation and am currently working my way through that.
ReplyDeleteI'm also planning to make a 'joyful jar', filled with cards detailing ideas for those days when I can't settle - just pick a card and do it is the plan for October onwards.
Sounds like you've planned your staycation very nicely. I am not planning to go anywhere other than to the three medical appointments I have scheduled for this month! The joyful jar is also a very good idea. :)
DeleteRejoicing with you in your 5 years of life!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. Thank you, too, for all your encouragement over those years. :)
DeleteInsurance...my gosh there's an insurance for everything under the sun...but medical is the most important. If it were not for ours, Ted and I would be living on the street..well probably with one of our children. :( Blessings, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteYes, having it is a blessing, isn't it?
DeleteSounds like a joyful day to me! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, a very joyful day. :)
DeleteYou brought joy to me today - five years. My mom survived breast cancer 41 years. So keep going. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. At the time, I hardly dared to dream of 5 years! I am grateful for each and every day and I want to make each day count. Thank you so much for commenting. :)
DeleteI love your list of joys. I need to be intentional about doing things that bring me joy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne. I recall that you used to do monthly joyful lists, yourself. Maybe it's time to start doing so, again, and plan a few joyful activities for the rest of September?
DeleteI think it is important to find the good in each day as well as intentionally plan for some activities you will enjoy. If there is not some planning, I think we fall into too much of a routine. That's the way it works for me anyway.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is important to find joy in everyday activities, too. I think what I am striving for now is to live more intentionally, with more purpose. I think that will help with my time management spoke in the balanced life wheel. Too often, I feel that I just sort of idled all day long, that I didn't accomplish as much as I would have liked, that I just wasted my day. I don't want to while away my days, if you know what I mean. I want to make each day count. I feel I am at one of those points in my life where it is time to take stock and then decide the way forward; it's been five years since the cancer was diagnosed, almost 2 years since I retired, a few months before my 65th birthday, etc. The plans I had tentatively made for retirement (joining the knitting club at the library, volunteering, etc.) haven't worked out; time to come up with alternatives. :)
DeleteIt's really 5 years - a long time, certainly a cause for joy!
ReplyDeleteLike you I find little things give me joy. I never used to like spiders much but there is a cute one in the deck box and when I take out the cushions he moves out of the way. He is one of those with a dark stripe on their back and they often hold their front legs together so it seems that they only have six legs! Then there was a hummingbird today on a twig, slowly flapping its wings in the rain as if it was taking a shower!
It is a cause for joy and gratitude, Bushlady. Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement along the way. :)
DeleteAs long as Mr. Spider doesn't bite! LOL. Sounds like the hummingbird was enjoying the rain. :)
This is such a nice post and I enjoyed reading it. I also find joy in the small things and I always like to read about the small things in your day that have brought you pleasure.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for your continued good health.
Take care
Thank you, Debra. Glad you enjoyed reading it. :)
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