For me, noticing beauty is an orientation, and that brings a spark of joy. Beautiful colours, people's faces, sunlight on water -- it's everywhere. Just waiting for us to notice.
I have to start each morning, stretching outside, reaching for the sun and feeling the sun on my face and listening to nature wake up the birds, singing the leaves dancing on the trees. And of course thanking God for another new day. All of that brings me so much joy
My morning walks with Fuzzy are my connection to sanity, the positive aspects of human and physical nature, and the joy of knowing that, as bad as it frequently seems, in the end, Trump and his cult are only a road bump on the greater path we take and when the final Judgment is made, won't even be remembered.
Dave, I did away with exterminating services. Pollinators do a thankless job for the most part. I invested a lot of time in walking through our home and sealing with caulk and tape or similar where there are openings and joints.
Basically the same thing I've done Manuel. The hardest part around here is saying no to the constant stream of "I'm with .... and we're working on a couple of your neighbors' houses..." The caulking and sealing has helped with energy efficiency too.
Manuel, This deserves a much more comprehensive response but three short ones for now.
Like you, I enjoy being in nature. This morning at 6 am it was cool enough to do my walk to the lake and back. Also this morning I was folding my clean laundry and realizing for the first time this is a simple joy that I take for granted. I recall that dancing brings you joy.
Thank you for adding to the conversation, Donna. I had a beautiful trek this morning. By the way, if I have failed to respond to any email from you in the last couple of days, kindly resend it. I had an argument with my email yesterday and may have deleted more than I intended. :>)
Yes, Manuel, you have captured it. As other commenters have said, I also need that solitary time and that outside time daily. I assure myself of this in some measure by combining them very early in the morning - taking a pre-dawn (or dawn, depending on time of the year) walk and/or bicycle ride. Yes, I often walk through predawn neighborhood so not like a hike in the forest or a walk on the beach but I am lucky to live in a small town where the streets are quiet, often curbless, and there are family gardens everywhere. Ah, I treasure the silence and I look for whatever beauty is waiting to be discovered.
Manuel, I can relate. Living with chronic pain and seeing the state of the world is overwhelming for me. Nature is a great healer and like you I like to spend some time alone to recoup. Short walks due to my condition and sitting on a bench facing the lake, watching the ducks, listening to the birds and having a chat with the dog walkers. Meditation and prayers even though at times I feel that God is not listening. Thank you for sharing! We have to seek moments of joy whenever we can and however we can.
Solitude at some point in the day just so I can recharge. I am always awake to see the sunrise to start my day. I also try to remember what my mom and grandma said about not borrowing trouble. I think all of us keeping our own corner of the world functioning with kindness and caring has a bigger impact than we realize.
For me, noticing beauty is an orientation, and that brings a spark of joy. Beautiful colours, people's faces, sunlight on water -- it's everywhere. Just waiting for us to notice.
I abosolutely agree, Diana. I am visually oriented too. Thanks for adding your experience.
I have to start each morning, stretching outside, reaching for the sun and feeling the sun on my face and listening to nature wake up the birds, singing the leaves dancing on the trees. And of course thanking God for another new day. All of that brings me so much joy
Thank you, Kathleen, for your poetic input to our common search for joy.
You’re welcome Manuel
My morning walks with Fuzzy are my connection to sanity, the positive aspects of human and physical nature, and the joy of knowing that, as bad as it frequently seems, in the end, Trump and his cult are only a road bump on the greater path we take and when the final Judgment is made, won't even be remembered.
I agree with you, Dave. Just got back from my morning uphill hike. As sweaty as I am it was refreshing. I failed to spot a single demagogue. 🙏🏻
We saw some beautiful trees, a lot of birds, and, finally, some bumblebees which are a major local pollinator.
That is true, Dave. The world needs all the help we can give it with detoxification.
Dave, I did away with exterminating services. Pollinators do a thankless job for the most part. I invested a lot of time in walking through our home and sealing with caulk and tape or similar where there are openings and joints.
Basically the same thing I've done Manuel. The hardest part around here is saying no to the constant stream of "I'm with .... and we're working on a couple of your neighbors' houses..." The caulking and sealing has helped with energy efficiency too.
Two important elements to never forget. Great advise for today and any day.
They clear the mind of dirt and sweep out fluff. Thanks, Scott.
Manuel, This deserves a much more comprehensive response but three short ones for now.
Like you, I enjoy being in nature. This morning at 6 am it was cool enough to do my walk to the lake and back. Also this morning I was folding my clean laundry and realizing for the first time this is a simple joy that I take for granted. I recall that dancing brings you joy.
Thank you for adding to the conversation, Donna. I had a beautiful trek this morning. By the way, if I have failed to respond to any email from you in the last couple of days, kindly resend it. I had an argument with my email yesterday and may have deleted more than I intended. :>)
Yes, Manuel, you have captured it. As other commenters have said, I also need that solitary time and that outside time daily. I assure myself of this in some measure by combining them very early in the morning - taking a pre-dawn (or dawn, depending on time of the year) walk and/or bicycle ride. Yes, I often walk through predawn neighborhood so not like a hike in the forest or a walk on the beach but I am lucky to live in a small town where the streets are quiet, often curbless, and there are family gardens everywhere. Ah, I treasure the silence and I look for whatever beauty is waiting to be discovered.
Thank you, Gracie. It seems that progress comes accompanied with noise and clutter. There is so much beauty to discover if we open up to it. :>)
Manuel, I can relate. Living with chronic pain and seeing the state of the world is overwhelming for me. Nature is a great healer and like you I like to spend some time alone to recoup. Short walks due to my condition and sitting on a bench facing the lake, watching the ducks, listening to the birds and having a chat with the dog walkers. Meditation and prayers even though at times I feel that God is not listening. Thank you for sharing! We have to seek moments of joy whenever we can and however we can.
Thanks for sharing, Yvonne. I am sorry about your pain. I also envy the nearness to a lake to gaze on ducks and birds. Peace to you.
Solitude at some point in the day just so I can recharge. I am always awake to see the sunrise to start my day. I also try to remember what my mom and grandma said about not borrowing trouble. I think all of us keeping our own corner of the world functioning with kindness and caring has a bigger impact than we realize.
Thank you, Susan, for sharing that wisdom here. Enjoy your day!