Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Contagious Joy



From the book, "Contagious Joy" by Patsy Clairmont. " I believe the key to celebration is a grateful heart, which means we search daily for reasons to stand up and shout, "Let's party!" Here is a gratitude jump-start list;




~Bumping into an old friend ~Raindrops on petals ~A child's giggle ~A yummy book ~Meaningful conversation...






~ Shared laughter ~Sweet dreams ~Soft pillows ~Starlit nights...

Now join in and extend the list to include all the marvelous reasons you have to be upbeat and confetti-ready. Celebrate, girlfriend! Celebrate!"




It occurred to me last evening as I read this in a book, that I find myself, at times, missing this aspect of life..."Joy". Life is hard, responsibilities can be overwhelming, and" time" seems to be at a premium. But children can teach us many lessons, and celebrating life and each other, are some of those lessons. For them, parties happen often, sometimes just being together is party to them. I watch my grandchildren celebrate. They celebrate with bubbles and a wand...they get excited when they get to play with other children...or when they are allowed to jump off the sofa onto the cushions on the floor. I think we as adults can learn from them to take time for each other, to celebrate things that happen, and to share that joy with those who may desperately need it. What is on your gratitude list today? Stop and think...then celebrate! ~ photos from many years ago

9 comments:

Shelley said...

What a great post today! I agree - we can all learn from a child's joy. A few weeks ago I had a redpoll bird eat out of my hand and the rest of the day I was just smiling and recounting the experience to my husband. Pure joy!

Tracy said...

Excellent post! Couldn't agree more...there are so many amazing lessons we learn by watching our kids. On my gratitude list...being able to look across our kitchen table and see our son, hearing from an old high school friend this week, beautiful flowers, today's Bible Study, great music... I am so blessed! Thanks for this wonderful reminder to start my day with gratitude and joy! What precious gifts!

Happy@Home said...

I think there is a lot to be learned from watching the joy and enthusiasm for life that seems so natural for children. It seems like as we get older life can become so serious and stressful that it is harder sometimes to feel true joy. One place I find I can feel true joy and contentment is in my garden. So, today I plan to spend the day out there.

Great post and have a nice day, Judy.

Lauren said...

ha FUN pictures Aunt Judy! Thanks for that reminder today. Especially good for me to see JOY in my students. Have a wonderful day. Love you

LisaShaw said...

Love the phots and the message!

I was just thinking about that as I'm not feeling my best today and I was watching my two Maltese boys with not a care in the world. They truly understand joy as they jump up and down off of furniture, run around after each other, play fight, jump all over me and lick my face and demand that I play when I'm not in the mood but they bring a smile to my face and remind me, "hey mama get happy with us!"

I then clicked on your message and of course the Lord is saying, "hey daughter geet happy with us!" and so I'm going to drag myself out of the chair and press through the fact that I'm not feeling my best today and remember to operate in the JOY OF THE LORD FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH!

Thank you dear sister.

Judy said...

A great reminder to enjoy the moment...and take time to say 'thanks' for the blessings of the day.

That's what I love about being a Grammmy...the joy of the child is contagious!

Jeane` said...

It was hard to read past the picture of me with the 'buffalo' perched atop my head...but I'm sure the quotes were very motivational. It's no wonder you and dad told me the boys weren't asking me out because they were 'intimidated'. That was a good line, and kept the 'ol self esteem from completely breaking throughout those years. :)

ha! ha!

Barb said...

Hi Judy, just a lovely post and wonderful pictures.

My gratitude list includes a wonderful, soft, lovely bed since I have a cold. I am blessed.

Barb

Anonymous said...

Love your post! I totally agree. We need to celebrate each and every day. It's wonderful, and a blessing, to be able to spend time with children. They bring out the child in all of us. Sometimes little schnauzers can do that too ♥

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