The secret to life is finding your joy and making it grow . . .
Joy is everywhere, but most of all right inside of you.
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What is your joy today?
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c.b. 2012
Tag Archive: joy
For the first time in a few years, I decided to get in the spirit of Spring and start a garden. The backyard has been neglected for far too long and I have a hankering to dig in the dirt! Two weeks ago, I started some seeds in preparation for a vegetable garden that will eventually fill a space off the back patio and a flower garden by the front door. So far, its been a soothing and joyful experience to watch my garden take its first breaths. It reminds of a Chinese proverb that hasn’t lost its truth despite several thousand years:
He who plants a garden plants happiness.
With it being so warm lately, it didn’t take long for my seedlings to poke through the surface and show off their little green leaves. I call them my “babies” and I’m so excited to watch them grow each day. And they are growing fast! Maybe its because I talk to them and put them under the wind chimes, (they say plants grow best with “music” and conversation!). Of course, it’s far more likely the beautiful weather in Arizona this time of year is the real reason. The sun is out all day and it’s a perfect 80 degrees.
I’ll be posting pictures as my little garden grows!
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My sunflower babies reach for the sun while a little “rabbit” watches. He better not nibble on these little guys!
Sunflower Seedlings
Little beans, cucumbers, chives, and zucchini, greet my little “squirrel.” There will be trouble if he eats anything but that acorn!
Vegetable Seedlings
To give my seedlings a little encouragement, I potted some flower plants and arranged them around the trays. There’s nothing like a little color liven the place up! Hibiscus and pansies are the perfect babysitters.
Red Hibiscus
Pansies are such a happy flower!
These little miracles are such wonderful reminders joy and optimism. When a new plant pushes its way towards the sun, I can help but smile and be thankful for the wonder that is life.
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c.b. 2012
Merry Christmas! I firmly believe that today should be full of smiles and laughter, so here’s my gift to all my readers. Whether you have cats or not, this is pretty funny.
May your tree stay in one piece and may your holiday be bright!
c.b. 2011
Click for full-size image
In my first Wreck This Journal post, (Letting Go), I promised to explain the rip in the binding. In the original image of my journal, there is a rather large tear at the bottom of the spine. Never in my life had I allowed something so destructive to befall a book and I should have been horrified. However, a wild bout of activity has a funny way of changing a long held opinion.
At one point in the journal, there is a page that literally gives instructions to attach the journal to a string and swing it wildly. The book lover in me cringed, but the curious explorer within was already looking for the yarn I knew was hiding in the closet. I nestled the yarn along the spine and tied it into a good knot. The last thing I wanted was for the yarn to come undone and send the journal flying towards the two other people in the room.
With the yarn secure and a tight grasp on the ends, I started to swing the journal over my head, around in circles, and with flailing zigzags all around my body. The journal hit the walls and the closet doors several times, all while flapping open and closed. As for me, I giggled with primal joy.
Upon inspection, I found the yarn had torn an inch long gash up the binding! The destruction was severe, but to my utter and complete surprise it felt great. I decided it gave the book some real character and provided the first real evidence that it was living up to its title. I documented this adventure with some markers and a silver metallic pen so as to never forget my journal’s wild flight. Like so many other journal activities, this one changed my perspective in a profound way.
The idea of breaking so many rules (without hurting anyone) reminded me of how much freedom there is when it comes to creativity and imagination. I can do anything. I can create anything. I can. I can. I can! These are powerful words and they kept repeating in my head as I whipped the journal round and round.
This experience made me go back and think about how much freedom I allow myself when I write. Sometimes we get so caught up in wondering what everyone else will think or whether a publisher will be interested, we forget the true essence of what it means to write. A writer can create any character, any story . . . anything. For a long time, I jumped into my novel nitpicking every “right” way to write a story. Then, I realized I didn’t set out to write my book because I could figure out a novel formula. I had a story to tell and I had to give myself the freedom to tell it in my own voice and in my own way.
I can. I can. I can.
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Previous Wreck This Journal posts:
c.b. 2011
Unbound from doubt
fearless joy begins
Lies that paint a false view
no longer have a voice
Self-inflicted cocoons
burst against thrashing wings
c.b. 2011
