Joy Journaling

Happy 2011!  Joy to you in the new year. Joy, that is my journey this year...to know more joy, to claim it for myself, to hold it in the midst of other sorrows or concerns. 

Taking joy in the sight of the Cascade Mountains, from an airplane

I'm joining the popular blogging trend and choosing a word for myself to focus on in 2011.  My word is JOY.  This word has been making itself known to me for some time now, and I think I'm finally ready to give it the attention it deserves. 

It all became clear to me when the DH (dear hubby) relayed a conversation he had with a credit card rep.  He had called about a discrepancy with the bill, and after several transfers and holds, finally got to the right gal/angel.  These two hit it off, and had a nice conversation in which she shared this great nugget, "Honey - don't let them steal your joy!"  Wow.  That one hit home, reminding me that I could claim joy for myself and not let it go.

And then my friend Marilyn introduced me to the phrase (from Tasha Tudor) of "take joy."  Wow.  That one also hit home.  I liked the active verb - take joy. 

So in 2011, I'm on a joy journey.  I don't mean to imply that I'll be doing pirouettes and singing Alleluia all day.  Joy, for me, can be big and expressive but can also be quiet and centering.  The key thing, for me, is that I choose joy each day.  I choose it, I claim it, I honor it, and I hold it tight even when I'm also feeling sorrow or fear or worry.  I hope you'll join me and share your wisdom about leading a joyful life.

Here's to a joyous 2011 for all of us!