I had posted a list of planned joyful activities for October, earlier in the month. What I tried to do was put together a list of joyful activities that I could look forward to doing during the month. I didn't want it to be another "to do" list, however; I was trying to incorporate a little intentional joy into my days.
October Joys:
- Online Temple services - Participated in online Temple services, especially the Kathina (end of rainy season retreat) service.
- Craft projects - Knitted.
- Music - Played the piano, listened to music.
- Art - Enjoyed seeing and sharing my daughter's sketches and drawings.
- Gardening - Planted the moringa plants, weeded and raked over one planting bed to facilitate the germination of self-sowed osteospermum seeds, picked roses and other flowers, picked feijoa guavas and pomegranates, and planted a mini victory garden of cool weather vegetables (snow peas, carrots, chard, turnips, broccoli, and radish; maybe about six seeds of each!):
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| Mini Victory Garden |
- Decorating for Halloween? - Didn't. Just didn't feel like decorating.
- Reading - Not a lot of reading for pleasure, this month, either.
- Participate in the monthly photo mini challenge - I enjoyed participating in this month's photo mini-challenge.
- Bake something (when cool enough to do so) - Baked corn bread muffins and shared with friend C
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| Corn Bread Muffins |
October has been a little stressful for me, but, I am happy that I was able to incorporate some purposeful joy into my days.
I'm sorry you've had a stressful month but I'm glad you've managed to find some joy amidst the angst. Now more than ever it is so important to recognise and value these simple pleasures. X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules. I am hoping for a more relaxed and joyful month in November. :)
DeleteYour cornbread muffins look yummy! Hope November is filled with joy for you :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha. Hope November is filled with joy for us all.
DeleteYou've enjoyed a lovely variety of activities during October. Did making a list of ideas help you?
ReplyDeleteI haven't actually made a list but despite that, am still focused on having a variety of fun activities. Everyday I read and do some Italian study and most days I also do piano (or another instrument) as well. On top of that I have all the other things I like to spend time doing (family tree, puzzles, photography, TV, films, cooking) - when I write it out like this it's clear I have plenty of joyful activities in my life!
Thank you, Eileen. Making a list of ideas helped. I didn't look at the list all that often, but, I had it at the back of my mind as I did things. What helped the most was, as you stated at the end of your comment, it made it clear to me that I had several joyful activities to counter balance the stressful paperwork! Without this list, the paperwork would have loomed larger in my mind!
DeleteGlad to see you were able to enumerate some joys in October. I am about to try a cornbread recipe that is half cake mix - as given to me by a friend. Looking forward to enjoying it with big bowls of steaming hot chili.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susanne. I hope you will share your new cornbread recipe - it sounds delicious! I use the recipe on the back of the box of cornmeal.
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