Finding Joy – Week One Report
by Kym on January 30, 2008
The equation: Add more sunrises to my life. Subtract some clutter.
The result: More beauty and therefore more quiet smiles. A garage sale pile that has doubled in size. Bookshelves and closets with lovely patches of empty space in them. A small increase in peace. A small decrease in anxiety. A slightly happier mommy. Slightly happier children.
The word slightly is the key. We’re not looking at huge, life altering stuff here. There’s no need for before and after pictures or a dramatic Ta-Dah! inspiring reveal at the end of the week. Things are just slightly better. And I’m smiling right now because what I’m trying to teach myself is that this is okay.
I think reality TV shows have seriously messed with our attitude towards change. Our culture already suffers from the desire for instant gratification, and in recent years the problem has only been amplified. We want drama and we want it now.
Real life just can’t live up to that. Real life is gradual. A process. There’s a reason why we don’t have the life expectancy of a may fly. We’re too complicated and we have too much to learn. And yet we speed through life with a worrying rapidity. I don’t like the line, “Live each day as if it were your last.” It’s too open to misinterpretation. I want to live my life as if there are years and years stretching ahead of me.
Perhaps then I’ll do my best to be sane enough to enjoy them.
Slowing down to see the sunrise helped me shift my perspective a wee tiny bit. And next week, I hope to shift it a bit more.
This next week: Add more dancing to my life. Subtract some anger.
28 comments
You are soooo right sweetie.
If we keep rushing through life we’ll miss so much. I’m so glad you’re being nice to yourself and doing things bit by bit. I’m doing more of that now, and it’s good. x
by Jo Beaufoix on January 30, 2008 at 8:20 pm. #
Joy rocks!!! Though I am more of a sunset person than a sunrise person. Sunrises come so early!
by Julie Wright on January 30, 2008 at 8:27 pm. #
Thanks goodness we don’t have the life expectancy of a may fly! I’ve got way too much to do! Oh, wait. What’s that about slowing down? Ha!
P.S. You’re too quick for me. I was working on getting over here to let you know I linked you! Love your blog!
by Bethany on January 30, 2008 at 9:04 pm. #
You are so awesome! :)
(Thanks for the inspiration.)
by Magirk on January 30, 2008 at 9:36 pm. #
ooh, i’m all for the more dancing! it helps my mood significantly if i can just get up and dance like a crazywoman.
by aubrey on January 30, 2008 at 9:41 pm. #
Yea for you!
And I’ve never liked that saying, either. I mean if I lived every day as if it were my last, I would never do the laundry, that’s for sure.
I like living as if it’s going to go on forever.
Oh, wait… it is.
by JustRandi on January 30, 2008 at 10:16 pm. #
well written . . . and I vote we change that adage to ‘LOVE like this day was your last’
congrats on finding joy . . . it . . . like this whole life . . . is a process . . . line upon line . . . :)
by Kate on January 30, 2008 at 11:14 pm. #
it can be hard to find the JOY in the JOurneY but it is most def something to strive for.
popped over from “an ordinary mom’s” blog.
this was an inspiring post. i am glad i stopped in. i am going to add you to my blog roll so i can remember to come back and soak up more of your bloggy goodness~
by TheVasquez3 on January 30, 2008 at 11:18 pm. #
I tried to post the other day but blogger ate my stuff.
I need to join your program…I need to change something or I’m going to go crazy.
Thanks for the inspiration :)
by Fooferoo on January 31, 2008 at 12:11 am. #
“A small increase in peace. A small decrease in anxiety. A slightly happier mommy. Slightly happier children.”
I LOVE this! I think that doing things a little at a time is really the key to permanent change. A little at a time, getting used to that, then adding or subtracting a little more.
You and I are a lot alike, it seems. I get a lot of anxiety when the stuff starts building around me. It’s crazy how my anxiety level is directly correlated to how much clutter there is.
I liked justrandi’s comment about the laundry! I agree. I don’t like that saying either.
by Rebecca on January 31, 2008 at 12:58 am. #
i think you are so right about reality tv warping our own expectations. i have been working out like a maniac and writing down everything that crosses my lips, following the weight watchers points, etc. and i am TICKED OFF that i am averaging a one pound per week loss. yes, it is loss, but i really think that i should see bigger numbers. after all, those biggest loser contestants drop 10 and 15 pounds a week. i should be able to get a few 3s in, dontcha think?
thanks for reminding me that “real life is gradual. a process.” i needed to hear that today, before i drown my sorrows in any more homemade bread!
by Michal on January 31, 2008 at 1:32 am. #
What a great message. Thanks so much for sharing.
by Hillary on January 31, 2008 at 3:23 am. #
You’re so right. It is a process. Sometimes a slow one, but so worth it.
Speaking of joy, you must e-mail me and give me deets about your visit this summer. We should totally hook up.
-andi
by pootandcubby on January 31, 2008 at 3:29 am. #
This is a great idea! Much more doable and encouraging than the normal message, you’re right! Love it!
by Jenna on January 31, 2008 at 6:19 am. #
for my part, i’m going to add more patience in my life, for the gradual unfolding of loveliness. i’m an instant-grat girl. which leads to disappointment. i’ll change that. you are so inspiring, m’love. :)
by holly on January 31, 2008 at 11:32 am. #
I’m glad you are finding more joy in the things around you. It’s hard to do at times but it’s always there :)
More dancing sounds like just what the doctor ordered.
by Tonya on January 31, 2008 at 1:51 pm. #
Bit by bit honey. It’s the most long-lasting way to change things. Good luck…
by Tracey on January 31, 2008 at 2:19 pm. #
after poking around your blog a bit and adding you to my blog roll so i can come back for more of your bloggy goodness… i left an award for you over on my blog. go over and accept it and pass it on to a few of your bloggy friends!!
by TheVasquez3 on January 31, 2008 at 4:18 pm. #
Hey you,
I’m sorry to hear about the conference and the car and the period and everything else — you’ve had a rotten week. The cake is adorable, by the way.
You are loved — by many, many — I don’t often see so many comments in comment trails but you have scads of supporters from all over the place. Hang in there, and let us know if there’s anything we can do, okay?
by Tristi Pinkston on January 31, 2008 at 5:02 pm. #
I am not very good at math, but this is an equation that I can understand! Good for you. Have a wonderful day!
by Sandra on January 31, 2008 at 5:08 pm. #
I’m going to have to add a blogging break to mine. I’m spending too much time reading and writing and playing. Not enough time doing other things, like playing with my kids. :(
by Nicki on January 31, 2008 at 6:51 pm. #
You’re right, Kimberly,
“Slightly” is the key to Life!!
by david mcmahon on January 31, 2008 at 9:01 pm. #
I like slightly, I can live with slightly and be very very happy. Great reminder, thanks Kim
by Josi on January 31, 2008 at 9:03 pm. #
“By small and simple steps, shall great things come to pass…”
you’re doing it exactly right.
by The MomBabe on January 31, 2008 at 9:11 pm. #
Thanks for the encouraging post.
I spoke at our New Beginnings last night about the new Mutual Theme for 2008 — “Therefore, be ye steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works.” David A. Bednar wrote an EXCELLENT article for the January 08 New Era in which he emphasizes that slow, simple, continual effort will bring about greater change than great bursts. He was talking about spirituality, but I think it applies to your experiment with happiness, too. (The two are interconnected, of course.)
I need to try your system. Like, consciously. Hmmmmmm. :-)
by Beth on February 1, 2008 at 12:55 am. #
Eloquent and so true. This is exactly what I needed to hear today! Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing it.
As for the hair thing you mentioned about earlier, you know, you could look at this as an amazing opportunity to buy really fun barrettes, and get all creative with your hair. That’s what I tried to do last summer during an I-can’t-believe-I-gave-myself-bangs moment. For me, I could never quite achieve the cute Meg Ryan look, but it was still fun trying.
Anyway, just trying to send you some encouragement your way. By the way, thanks for your most recent comment. It was very well written, and I think you may have just encouraged a friend of mine who goes to the same type of church you do. She was feeling pretty down, and what you wrote hit the spot, I’m certain. And of course, you always give me food for thought. =)
by Inkling on February 1, 2008 at 2:11 am. #
Loved this post too!
by laughing alone in the dark on February 1, 2008 at 7:08 am. #
I think I’m going to add “slightly” to my daily vocabulary. What a great way to measure success and progress.
by Annette Lyon on February 2, 2008 at 4:48 am. #