What are the
things in life that bring you joy?
I realize I
should probably save this for when there is more traffic, but I really want
to read your answers now. Maybe I will re-pose the question at a later date.
Some of the
things that bring me joy…and I mean heart swelling, tear bringing, life is
wonderful joy include:
1) Dinner at the table with my husband
and all 4 kids. Sure, I get annoyed when
the kids are goofing off, singing, telling inappropriate jokes at the table. You’d think with 3 out of 4 being adults now
that would have stopped. Nope. It hasn’t. On the other hand, they make me
laugh. They make me full on belly laugh. I often think it is a competition between them
to see who can make mom crack up first. It
could be worse. They could be trying to see who makes me cry first. So I guess I really don’t want it to stop.
Ever.
2) A beautiful sun rise. Gets me every
time.
3) Holding a happy baby. It always surprises me how I get (what I
assume is) an endorphin rush when I get to hold one. The smell and the feel of
them in your arms. I just can’t explain it.
4) Hiking or driving through scenic areas
with my husband. Last year we went to
Red Rock Canyon. As I was standing in
the visitors’ center, looking out over the landscape, I was overcome with
emotion. I could not believe how
beautiful it was. I felt a bit ridiculous standing there wiping tears from
eyes. Maybe it was hormones, maybe it
was the altitude, but it certainly had an effect on me. And sharing those
moments with my favorite guy is really special.
5) Sunflowers. Yes, a silly flower can make me happy. I love them. I smile every time I see
them. Someday I would love to have one
of our fields planted with different varieties and colors. What a joy it would
be to wake up and see hundreds of blooming sunflowers.
6) Horseback riding on the trails. Years ago I would hit the trails once a week at
East Fork State Park in SW Ohio. We
would be out there for hours at a time. More than once I said “If I die while
on a horse, I will die happy.” There is
nothing quite like riding through the woods with vegetation so green and lush
that it is easy to imagine you're in Lothlorien. And the rush of loping through an open field
is indescribable. I didn’t even mind
being dunked and rolled on in the lake by Rocky, the Belgium/Saddlebred. In fact, it was sort of refreshing in the
middle of summer. But it has been years
since I have been on a horse. I miss it.
Yes, I have my Zander, but for a variety of reasons, I can’t bring
myself to get back in the saddle. Maybe once my hormones are regulated, I will
find the courage to do it again.
7) Taking pictures. Recording life. I can’t say enough about it. I love landscape,
animal, still-life sorts of shots. But mostly, I love candids. Not a fan of
taking (group) posed pictures, but sometimes it is necessary. But candid shots
tell a story. A TRUE story. I love
seeing the interaction between people. Being able to capture the moments when
they are laughing or crying, that loving look between spouses or a mother and
child, the conversation between father and son . I could go on and on. Will save it for an entry exclusively on
photography. Needless to say, it is
important to me. It brings me joy.
So, what brings you joy? What is your bliss?
