Joys and Disappointments
April 20, 2018: Just the other day I was typing something about journaling and I typed joyrnal… I caught what I wrote and thought, “gee joyrnal, that reminds me of a joy journal”… then I asked myself, “what is bringing me joy – Today? This week? In life overall?” It was a play on words that in some cases would be a misspelling, but I believe it was the Universe talking to me about joy.
I’m finding lots of joy lately. For one I deactivated my account on Facebook and what a relief that is… not only does NOT being on Facebook bring me joy, it has improved my health. I don’t have those moments of rage and soaring blood pressure because I’m angry at a post or some ad that has nothing to do with anything that I like. However, I do miss posting to my Ziggy Page… as that was deactivated automatically when I deactivated my personal account. However, I just may jump back on, remove all my connections, and keep the Ziggy Page, and not pay attention to the rest of the crap that gets posted and riles me up.
My kitties are pure joy for me with daily doses of their fur love. Oh yes, we have lots of fur. Fur balls, dust bunnies (yes the cats chase them) and what I call fuzz. The fuzz is that crap that floats around in the air if you’ve ever noticed. That fuzz is also sometimes caught irritating my eyes and when I look closer, there’s a piece of fuzz caught in my lashes. Where does all that fuzz come from?
Traveling brings me joy as well. A recent trip to the northeast showed signs of spring – finally. The blossoming tree outside the library in Berwyn and daffodils in full bloom everywhere I look. Although the air was winter cold, the sun was bright and warmed you a bit. Or maybe I was warm because I was wearing long underwear.
Flying brings me joy… since I found Southwest Airlines. Cheap fares, easy boarding system even though you buy a ticket without an assigned seat. So far every flight I have been on I have gotten the seat of my choice, regardless of paying the $15 extra to board early. I flew into Philadelphia the day after Southwest had that engine failure and passenger death with emergency landing in Philadelphia. When I boarded, I sat in a window seat and looked out the window at the engine staring at me and said, “Well God, I do believe you have a lot more you want me to do, so I’m going to trust you.” Although we had extensive delays with my flight (mechanical issues that resulted in a different plane to send us on our way), we made it safe and sound.
Friends bring me joy too. Although I can’t see everyone on my trips, those that I get to see bring me much joy. Even though I can no longer live in Berwyn, PA with the high housing costs (I’ve become spoiled with my low cost of living in Florida), I can visit frequently. Additional joy also comes from my friends in Florida and my friends in Colorado, Arizona, California, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas… and well any friend who lives any where I don’t.
Family brings me joy also. Spending time with my sister, her husband and their fur babies Jethro, Cleo and Sassy was most relaxing during the Easter holiday. A four hour drive to their home, it was several days of great meals and sitting on their patio and reading. We even spent time in the pool on Easter Sunday. I’m excited since I’ll be planning my sister’s BIG birthday party in October… It will be quite the event if I’m planning it. Which reminds me to send out the “save the date” notices. I talk to my brother often in California, and one of these days he will surprise me with a visit to Florida. And I’m excited that my cousin Bill is moving to Florida soon having just bought a home south of me.
So you can see I have lots of joy when I accidentally wrote joyrnal. I have additional joys on many things too long to mention here. However, maybe my joys will get you thinking about what joys you have in your life.
Of course, disappointments hit us sometimes. My big disappointment today was Whole Foods in Devon, PA. Whole Foods now owned by Amazon, will be doing away with the bulk seasonings. I use to live for the dried herbs d’provence, marjoram, tarragon and basil that I could buy a scoop of it rather than a whole jar that’s been treated somehow to last in my cupboard for years. One more reminder that it’s the little things that we enjoy that are being eroded away in our society. If you’ve never bought loose herbs you don’t know what you’re missing. A scoop (the scoop is the size of a melon ball scooper) of dried herbs may cost you pennies and lasts as long as you use it. However the same herb, processed and jarred by any of the name brand herb and spice providers would cost you anywhere from $3 – $6 and usually it’s in a plastic bottle. I’m very disappointed in one more area of my life being consumed by Amazon, even though I am an Amazon shopper, I sell my own books on Amazon, and Amazon pays me royalties every month on my book sales.
So don’t be discouraged by your disappointments… be happy for your joys. I’ll get over the bulk seasonings being lost at Whole Foods. Maybe I’ll just have to create an herb garden and grow my own and dry them in my oven. Now there’s a book I’ll need to buy on Amazon! … “How to Grow and Dry Herbs at Home” … Ha! Or maybe it’s a book I should write!
Always Make It a Great Day
Love and Hugs
Rosemary Augustine
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