New Years Eve 2009! We have spread a picnic on the living room floor in front of a blazing fire and Liz, Tucker, Rollin and Fynneus have joined us for the end of year celebration. The boys are still sorting through their christmas gifts that were left here, and nibbling on animal crackers. Soft music is playing in the background, and my only thought is: Life is So Good! Right here - right now!

My wish for 2010 is that I will continue my Journey of growth, expansion and alignment. Always remembering to look for Joy in every moment of every day.

My wish for the world is Peace, Love and Happiness to everyone and Joy in every moment.

Here's to the Journey!

The tree came down today, and now we are sorting through all the boxes and the ornaments. All the gifts have been put away, and I watch the year come to a close. And I have much to be grateful for.

Today Liz dropped by with the boys. They were here for only 45 minutes, but it was like a breath of fresh air to have them visit. The energy and vitality they bring to a room, and to our lives is absolutely amazing. I quickly fed them, and corralled them out the door for Tucker's class tonight amid hugs and kisses and thanks. I am the lucky one, for I have all of these wonderful people in my life, to share my joy and to share my love. This is the best!

Here's to the Journey!

I feel the Holiday Season coming to an end as we make plans to take Jenn to the airport later this evening. She will be back in New York for the new year, and Jim and I will be celebrating the beginning of the new year in Tennessee. I am so grateful for Jenn, and so admire her courage and creativity. I love having her "home" so that I can admire up close the woman she has become. I am grateful for the friendship we have honed out of the mother/daughter relationship, and grateful too for the expansion that she has caused in me.

I am a better person because of both of my daughters, Jenn and Liz, and I love that I have been able to contribute in some capacity, to their Beauty, their Strength, and to their Courage!

Here's to the Journey!

It is Christmas evening and we have had a wonderful day. I have not written for several days and I feel a longing to get back to my writing.

Recently, as I made my morning trek around the lake in the blowing rain, I was so thrilled that I had not slept in and skipped my morning walk. Although it was certainly tempting with the rain, I knew my day would be better, more Joyful, for my effort. I was not disappointed. The clouds were swirling so fast it was almost dizzying, and just as I ended my walk and headed home, the clouds broke for just a brief moment and I saw blue and pink sky with the yellow sun trying to break through. The sun did not make it out for the rest of the day, but my Joy for having seen that brief moment, that beautiful glimpse, satisfied something within me.

Christmas satisfies something within me too. I love giving gifts to those I love. I love cooking everyone's favorite dishes. I love cramming the Christmas stockings to overflowing. I love the conversation that floats throughout the day and the memories we all share. I love the kisses and hugs, but most of all, I love the Joy we all feel at this time. That peaceful Joy that permeates our souls, and allows us for a brief moment, so see only beauty.

Here's to the Journey!

I returned home late last night from my trip North to visit family. It was wonderful to spend time with them, but I am happy to be home writing.

Spending time with family always offers the opportunity for growth, and this visit was no exception. I had plenty of time to reflect on where I am today, and the path and people who have led me here. And it is always strangely wonderful to return home to see the sameness that I remember well, but to also see the changes that time has forced upon us that we cannot ignore.

I hear stories of cousins that were little children the last time I saw them and cannot comprehend their grandchildren. I visit my nephews that are now grown men with wives and children, and I am amazed at their growth. I feel I have missed most of their Journey, so I stand in awe and appreciation of their successful travels.

I visit with Rudy, who technically is my niece, but feels more like a soul mate, and always has. It is amazing the connection you can have with others, and Rudy is one of those very special people in my life. I usually see her once every several years, and yet the Joy of reuniting is beyond words. Our visits are always too short, and never enough words are said.

I know that I will never move back "home", but the Joy of visiting people who you love this much pulls you back again and again.

Here's to the Journey!

I am enjoying a lovely evening of wrapping gifts, addressing Christmas cards, and packing for my trip to Indiana tomorrow. I am spending a few days with my Mom and Dad. I have not stayed overnight in their home for over 30 years, yet I am looking forward to this visit. Some time ago I read a book that says we choose our parents. So last January I felt I had to visit my Mom & Dad and understand why I might have chosen them. Since that time, I have made peace in my heart with that decision, and a better understanding of my life has unfolded. And while I didn't have the perfect childhood, I know that everything has worked out for the best.

I have also read that when you know what you don't like, you are able to expand and reach for what you do like and/or want. That expansion has made me reach for many things in my life that are very different from what was expected of me. And as I close my day with thanks to my angels, I include a thank you for all that is past, and all that is coming!

Here's to the Journey!

I have spent the whole day Christmas shopping! I am not finished yet, however I do get a little reprieve this evening. So here I am, sipping a glass of wine, nibbling flax seed crackers while my office floor is covered with shopping bags, and my heart is singing!

Jenn booked her trip to Tennessee today, and I am sighing a big sigh of relief that she will be with us again! I have not seen her since Mother's day, and I am missing her terribly! Nothing compares to having your family together - ever!

As I walked this morning around the lake, I was thrilled to be alive, breathing the cold crisp air, and moving my body. I walked for an hour and then headed home for my morning smoothie. I cherish this simple routine, this quiet time "alone" walking the beach, and readying myself for the day of Joy that is sure to come to me!

Here's to the Journey!

Sunday - my favorite day. I love spending a lazy morning, sleeping in and skipping the early morning walk. Making a fire in the fireplace and reading the newspaper sitting on the floor. Joy!

I went to the gym with Liz and the boys and worked out for a while, then headed to the swimming pool for the family swim. I played "motor boat" and "alligator" with Tucker, Rollin and Fynneus and then returned home to finish some sewing that I started this morning.

I just returned from the movies with Jim. We walked to Starbucks for my favorite drink, then walked to the movies. I love being in town like this, and walking around in the evening, bundled with gloves and scarves, seeing our breath rise in front of us. I LOVE this!! I love being here in Tennessee. I love my life!!!!! I can hardly wait for tomorrow which I plan to start with an early morning walk, and even though I have tons to do to get ready for the holidays, and our trip north.........I am filled with anticipation for the Joy manifesting each day!!!

Here's to the Journey!

Another Joyful day coming to a close. I find myself looking forward to the end of the day when I can sit quietly for a few moments and reflect on all that has unfolded. And then write about the unfolding.

I have had a most beautiful day beginning with Rollin, (4 years old) climbing in bed with us and telling us how to play the whispering game. Later playing Fish with Rollin, and a short shopping trip with Liz, and then dinner with Liz, Tucker, Rollin & Fynneus at our house. And then wrapping the day up with a card game of "spoons".

So now as I sit down to write about this marvelous day, I feel Joy that is beyond words. Again I look up the definition of Joy to be reassured that it fully describes what I feel: Joy [joi] noun, a feeling of great pleasure or happiness; tears of joy, the joy of being alive. Joy is derived from the word rejoice.

So I rejoice in my reflection of this day, as I look forward to all the days to come!

Here's to the Journey!

Peace - the feeling for today. It is hard to describe the feeling of peace that has enveloped me today. As we try to make decisions about our future, and where we will live, and how we will invest, and what we will do, Peace is permeating everything I do and say.

I received a call today from my sister informing me that my Mom is having some reactions to her medication, and strangely, I woke this morning thinking I needed to plan a trip Home. I had even googled a map prior to receiving the phone call, and so I was very at Peace knowing what I wanted to do. Now Jim and I are planning a trip home next week, and it feels the most peaceful thing to be doing at this busy time of the Holiday season.

I believe that part of this Peace comes from the knowledge that Mom and I have made Peace with each other. If not verbally, at least in our hearts for sure. And that is the best place to make Peace. I have spent many months releasing resistance and learning to love and appreciate myself and learning to appreciate all the people in my life, and learning to appreciate all of my life's experiences and to look for the lessons in those experiences. I have to admit that I am blessed for all the people who have touched my life. And it feels so good to be standing here in this place at this moment feeling Peace - no anger, no hatred, no frustration - only Peace and Love and Happiness.

This is the Journey - and I am so glad to be traveling through!

Here's to the Journey!

Relief - that is the Joy I feel today. I have been without a computer for a few days, and prior to that babysitting for our three grandsons. Trying to write with 3 little guys running around, I have found, is impossible.

So relief today that my new Apple computer is hooked up, and I am learning my way around the new settings. But tremendous Joy to be writing again. I have missed it terribly.

I love living here in Collierville, and I wake grateful every morning for this wonderful and Joyful experience. Jim and I have spent several hours over the past few days looking at neighborhoods and trying to decide on a new home. We have been into Memphis everyday, and it is hard to describe the "feeling" here, the area seems so "alive"! It is such a bustling area, all the shoppers are bundled against the cold, and everyone is happy and friendly. I made a new friend in the shoe department of the local Steinmart store, and it was so fun to have conversations like we had known each other forever!

Our neighbors left a box of Christmas cookies outside our door tonight, and we are enjoying the hospitality with every bite. A fire is blazing in the fireplace, and we are tucked in and cozy for the night. And although is is very cold, and I remember clearly how warm Florida is today, I am thrilled to be here, with my long cuddle duds, boots and leather gloves, and a beautiful scarf working to keep out the chill. I am right where I am suppose to be - right where I want to be - and I am LOVING it!

I finished decorating the Christmas tree this morning and I am eagerly looking forward to the holidays. Jenn will be here with us, so the whole family will be together, and I feel this wonderful jumble in my stomach as I think of all of us being together. We will be following some old family traditions, and as always, creating new ones too with friends and family. And I embrace our traditions, old and new, and our new friends with open arms. Ahhhh - Relief.

Here's to the Journey!

Tonight Jim and I joined Liz and Thadeus and the boys at the town square for the Christmas tree lighting, the arrival of Santa, and Christmas carols which were sung by local elementary schools and the high school choir.

The Square was bustling with families, all anticipating the arrival of Santa which came just after 7:00 pm. He arrived in a Fire Truck, and was escorted to his "throne" by local officers. It was thrilling to watch all the children, the excited parents, and to feel the home town spirit of the holidays. It was freezing cold - but you wouldn't know that by just looking around. There was so much laughter, so much playing, chasing, running, that it warmed our heart and soul to see and feel all this Joy.

It has been a long time since we have experienced the Christmas anticipation of young families, and so many memories came flooding of our past family Christmases. I am so grateful for all the holiday memories we have with our daughters, and I am grateful for the new holiday memories we are creating day by day.

Here's to the Journey!

I know that happiness comes from within - not without. My insides are filled with happiness today! We just completed a family dinner at our house with Liz and her family. I am a natural born nurturer. So preparing dinner with love and enjoying it with family is one of my life's greatest pleasures and blessings.

So now I am getting ready to wrap up the day by curling up with a good book. The Universe delivered to me a wonderful book that I have been wanting for a long time. It is titled The Vortex, and I have read the first 70 pages online about 6 times - that's how good it is. Now I have the book, and am looking forward to reading the remaining pages. I love to end my day reading a good book and go to sleep with amazing gratitude for the wonderful day I have experienced, and amazing anticipation for tomorrow.

Here's to the Journey!

Today was an all day rainy Sunday. I can still hear it thundering as I type this blog. And yet, a rainy day is just as Joyful as any other day. I continue to see so many opportunities of Joy. and I continue to smile as I move through my day, and observe the happiness surrounding my life.

I drove into Memphis for the first time by myself, and I was so at peace with where I am, and who I am. I truly love being here now, and I find pleasure in the smallest of things. Watching the rain, lying in front of the fireplace with flames blazing, and loving my husband and my life.

My mind is filled with thoughts of the changes I am making, and the distance I have covered in the past few weeks. As I go through the motions of relocating our lives to this beautiful town in Tennessee, I am reminded again and again of the blessings of my life. The ease with which I can move through the changes, and the abundance that allows these changes to flow effortlessly into our lives.

As I wrap up this beautiful day, I am looking forward to my walk around the lake tomorrow morning, watching the ducks and geese, usually a few deer will run out of the woods and I will squint my eyes as I look across the lake, and imagine I am looking out over the ocean.

Oh - and tomorrow there will be more hugs and kisses from Tucker, Rollin, and Fynneus.

Here's to the Journey!

Today I spent some time playing tennis with my 3 grandsons and Liz and Jim. None of us really know how to play tennis, but that doesn't matter. The joy is in playing and spending time with family.

Sometimes, as an adult, it is hard to let go and play, but when you have children around, letting go is a little easier. Playing, leting go, and throwing your head back and laughing harder than you've ever laughed - reaching for the Joy in life. That is what I did today!

Here's to the Journey!

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and I have much to be thankful for. We spent the day in our new apartment with Liz and her family joining us for our Thanksgiving feast and fun family time.

My life has changed so much in these few short days since moving to Tennessee. I love so many of the changes, especially seeing my family more often, but I know that I must still make time for me. My goal to look for Joy in my life every day is a constant reminder to be aware, to pay attention to all that is going on in my life.

I must pay attention to me, to my emotions, to what I say through out the day, and to my thoughts. For it is my choice in each moment to either be Joyful or not. I want to alway choose Joy, to always look for Joy, and to always feel Joy. I am given the opportunity so many times to see, feel and hear the Joy in my life. For this I am thankful.

Here's to the Journey!

Yesterday I got up early and made Banana Pudding just like my mom use to make. I chilled it all day long, packed it in ice, and then headed for the Fed Ex office late last night.

Today I received the most wonderful call from Jenn in New York, thrilled to receive a big bowl of 'My" Banana Pudding. Chilled, and ready to eat.

The experience of doing this small thing and feeling tremedous Joy amazes me. The experience of doing this small thing that brought tremendous Joy to my daughter triples my Joy and amazes me. I am blessed with abundant Joy!

Here's to the Journey!

This morning was cool and drizzly so Jim and I bundled up and walked a two mile hike around city hall and a small lake nestled behind called Halle Park. We call it a walk on the beach, but it is so different from Florida.

A flock of ducks had spent the night on the pond, but as we made our way closer and closer, they began to flap and lifted themselves out of the water rising high to our left. Then they did a 180 and flew over us, heading south. It was beautiful to watch and again I felt the familiarity of being home.

The trees here are still dropping leaves, with a colorful array still clinging as the cool breeze tugs at them. It feels so comfortable to see the trees with their changing colors. It feels right to put on coat and gloves in the middle of November to go outside. And it feels right to be traveling here.

Here's to the Journey!

It has been over a week since my last writing, and I have physically covered many miles. But this feels so good and I am right where my heart is. Close to family, and surprisingly, feeling like I have come home.

We have settled into a small apartment on the 2nd floor of a cute complex. Our deck overlooks lawn and a tree line separating us from a Home Depot a block away. We have been told that we can hear the Depot's Christmas music starting next week, and I am looking forward to that.

We also have a small fireplace in our apartment, and this morning we stretched out in front of the fire with our newspaper, and enjoyed the day, the life, the Journey.

I am so grateful to be where I am! Right here - right now- on this Journey!

Here's to the Journey!

It is early afternoon on loading day, and the internet service will be turned off soon. The house is empty except for an air mattress, a toothbrush and a change of clothes.

I am so happy. On Friday we will be in Tennessee with part of our family. I am enjoying this exciting new adventure. And I look forward to the many opportunities that are opening for me.

Here's to the Journey!

Today was my last full day in the office. My co-workers had a wine and cheese leaving party, and it was perfect. Friends stopped by my office to tell me goodbye, and to wish me happiness in my move to Tennessee. Several joined me in a toast to my new adventure, and it was so joyful to realize the friends I have made over the last five years at the law firm.

It's hard to believe that five years have passed by. I value these years for the lessons, the successes, and the many friends I have made. I love how friends are such a joyful part of my day.

Here's to the Journey!

I have been sitting at my computer now for over 45 minutes trying to decide what to write. This blog presents me with a challenge and an opportunity, which I am grateful for.

Yet as I try to pull moments from my day to write about, the words just don't seem adequate tonight. How do I write Joy? How do I express with words a day filled with Joy?

Here's to the Journey!

Jim and I took our final walk on the beach this morning as time quickly passes and we head towards our Tennessee Journey.

I spent the rest of the day packing with all the windows open as the wind blew hard through the screens. The neighbors wind chime kept a constant chatter as we watched big black birds play above us in the wind. We latched the doors so that they would not slam and basked in the breeze all around us. This is a perfect day! I am so blessed!

Here's to the Journey!

We are down to only 3 more days before we pack the moving van. The house has taken on a strange sound. As we empty the rooms, our voices and footsteps echo through out and my heart begins to echo too. The tone is changing and as the tone changes, so do I. We have many happy memories here. I am listening to the waves slap our seawall and it sounds like rain. I know in Tennessee I will always remember the slapping waves when I hear the rain on our roof. I will remember this house, and these years with great joy. I promise I will remember!

Here's to the Journey!

There is Joy in change. As the time gets closer for my move to Tennessee, I am reminded why I love Florida. The days are sunny and warm almost all the time, and the grass and trees are always green. I will miss this. But I am looking forward to the changes in weather that I will see farther north. We have probably missed the fall color change in Tenessee, but I will get to enjoy many cold, crisp, starlit mornings. We might even see snow once in a while. Spring is always so invigorating up north, with the promise of warmer weather, flowers blooming, and trees filling out their green leaves to form cooler shade. Summer will be filled with family picnics, playing in water to keep cool, and lots of popsicles.

Change is good - embracing change is joyful.

Here's to the Journey!

Joy is my day unfolding
Beauty and love everywhere
Caressing my soul
Until it sings in harmony
With all that is.

Here's to the Journey!

As I sit down each night to write my Journey of Joy blog, I am reminded to search my day for moments of Joy. Today has felt like a cascade of Joy.

The closing on my house has been moved up a week, and I have been grinning from ear to ear because that puts me in Tennessee a week early.

A very good friend at work, who has watched me loose a lot of weight and regain my health, gave me several pairs of pants today, size 6, and they fit loosely! That was a huge moment of Joy in my Journey to health.

And then our realtor from Tennesee called and our bid on one house was rejected, but we were given the opportunity to bid on an even nicer and bigger house, and our minds are racing - filling the rooms, cooking meals in the beautiful kitchen for our family, and filling the home with love and laughter. Oh...... and trying to decide where to put the Christmas Tree! What a fabulous day of Joy!

Here's to the Journey!

I describe myself as an avid reader. I LOVE, love, love to read. It's very rare that I read a novel more than once, but there have been two, no three exceptions. I have read Ride the Wind by Lucia St. Claire Robison at least three times and it is my all time favorite. I have read Gone With The Wind two times and For Whom The Bell Tolls by Hemmingway at least 3 times. And if I did not have these books packed away, I believe I would read them again today, starting with Ride the Wind.

I love the way a book can carry you away. It is almost like meditation. The words grab your heart and your imagination and weave concoctions never heard or seen before. Mere words weaving and vining, and pushing, until at last, the words leave you breathless or weeping but always longing for more words.

I love to read but I long to write. I know all the words - now to joyfully allow the weaving, the vining and the pushing.

Here's to the Journey!

First of all, I must write about how beautiful the sun rise was at the ocean today. Jim and I were up early so that we could catch the rise - and it was breathtaking. It only takes a few minutes for the sun to clear the horizon, and when it does, it is almost blinding. The pink and gold blend with the horizon blue of the ocean, and then just bright, stunning, beautiful light. We stood still to watch, and marvel at how fast the earth must be turning for the sun to rise so quickly. Everyone should enjoy an ocean sunrise sometime during their Journey.

Over the past few weeks as we have prepared to move from Florida to Tennessee, I am continually guided by my intuition. I have been amazed at how that guidance may come to me, but even more amazed at my realization today that even though intuition is something we all have, we are not encouraged to use it, and often embarrassed to talk about it. And yet it plays such an important part in our Journey -- if we listen.

My goal is to listen. This Journey is too important. When I stand by the ocean, and see how quickly the earth is turning, it is a reminder to me that it all passes, and that I must savor the Journey. I must listen to divine guidance, which is my own intuition, and I must dance in the sun light!

Here's to the Journey!

Another beatiful Saturday in Florida! Jim and I have spent most of the day packing our house, and now the fun begins! We are headed to the beach, with a bottle of champagne to celebrate...... the Journey we have made this far - and the Journey before us! It's all so exciting - these wonderful changes in our lives! And there is no better place to celebrate this day than at the beach!

Here's to the Journey!

Tonight Jim and I had dinner with our best friends in Florida. The most perfect dinner, the most perfect wine with the most perfect friends. Life is joyful with good friends! .

Here's to the Journey!

It's Wednesday, and I have made it halfway thru the week. Jim is coming home late tonight after a week in Tennessee and I am looking forward to seeing him, and hearing all the stories about our grandsons and about his search for a house. I have missed him, and it reminds me how much I want us to be close to our family.

Today Jim promised Tucker, Rollin and Fynn that when I get to Tennessee, in just a few weeks, I will bake chocolate chip cookies with them! That's because he knows that I have been vizualizing this for weeks now. I can hardly wait to have all three of them in my kitchen, with hands in the cookie dough and the chocolate chip bag, laughing, giggling, and telling knock knock jokes with me. This is a promise I will savor! And Jenn, if any cookies survive, we will send them along to you!

Here's to the Journey!

This morning the ground was wet from the night's rain, so I walked for just a few minutes and then settled in a comfy wicker chair under the stars for my morning meditation.

It is amazing how calming a morning meditation becomes, and how it sets the tone for the rest of the day. This morning's meditation centered around gratitude, and I could go on for days naming all the things I am grateful for. When I start my "Gratitude List" it always starts the same - I am grateful for my Husband, I am grateful for our two beautiful Daughters, I am grateful for our Son-In-Law, and I am grateful for our three Grandsons!

After this wonderful start, my thoughts flow around so many things that I am grateful for. The stars, my health, the trees, my employment, the grass, beautiful music, my lovely home, moving to Tennessee, books, sunshine, and on and on and on. Then, as I move through my day, I find myself thinking over and over, "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you." I actually wake up thinking "Thank you" and I fall asleep thinking the same. I have made it a habit to feel grateful, yet everytime I go through my "Gratitude List", it feels new again. And now something to add to my list - My Journey of Joy!

Here's to the Journey!

Each morning I eagerly log on to a couple of web sites for daily affirmations. I quickly skip all the news and Hollywood stories and go straight to web sites that make me feel good. Sometimes the affirmation is so right on target I almost fall off my chair. And then sometimes I think "Oh, this would be a good one for Jim, or maybe Jenn and Liz." And then, of course, I have to stop because this affirmation is for Me! I am the the one with the "under construction divine life purpose"

Today's affirmtion was "Joy and happiness are at the center of my world!" I left this up on my screen all day so that each time I walked by I would be reminded - because I tend still to forget! If I will just allow joy and happiness to be the center of my world, I will love without fear, I will give with gladness, and I will laugh often.

Here's to the Journey!

A few years ago I read a very special book titled Sacred Space, by Denise Lynn. This book is about how your home is your haven, and that blessing the home can be a very important ritual in preserving a positive energy within the home. Since reading that book, I have tried to sage my house as often as possible and for some reason, Sunday is my favorite day to sage.

So, here it is, another gorgeous Sunday, and I have the house to myself. After opening all the windows and doors, I saged my house early this morning to the beat of an Aboriginal music CD titled Nomad. This music is so awesome that it vibrates the soul, and it is the perfect music for performing a House Blessing. With the music blaring, I danced from room to room waving the sage and Blessing the House, Blessing Friends and Family, and Blessing our Buyers. Life Is Suppose To Be Joyful!

Here's to the Journey!

I spent the entire day packing and am finally sitting down to relax. The garage is filling up with boxes, and the house is slowly being dismantled.

I believe this process of packing and dismantling is an important step in letting go and moving forward in the next part of my journey. Every time I take something off the wall, or pack a few of my favorate dishes, I realize that this house is just a building. And I detach a little more and a little more. It won't be long now until I will be on my way to Tennessee, and my time in Florida will be a Joyous memory!

But for today, I find Joy in observing the process - observing the journey.
Here's to the Journey!

Today is Friday, and Friday ALWAYS seem more joyful! I know I am wrapping up the week, and I have two wonderful days to spend in my beautiful house.

I have started packing for our move to Tennessee, and I love packing our house! I love touching everything we own! I love remembering the stories of where this or that came from, where we bought this, who gave us that.......everything in our house has a story. And those stories fill me with Joy! Tonight I packed a mouse that Jenn made in second grade, and a dinosaur that Liz made four years later when she was in second grade. I have a heart hand print from Jenn dated 1983 that says she loves me. She was only 5 at the time and Liz was barely one year old. All of these details bring their own Joy.

I packed the case that holds Jim's medals and memorabilia from when he was in Viet Nam, and I feel tremendous Joy that even though I did not know him at the time, he returned safely to love me.

Now I am getting ready to pack up my office. I can hardly bear to put my books away. But, oh, in a few weeks when I finally unpack everything that I have so lovely packed now, I will be amazed at the beautiful things I pull from the boxes as though I had never seen them. And the books will thrill me as I line them on a book shelf some where in Tennessee - with a mouse and dinosaur as beautiful book ends. I can hardly wait!
Here's to the Journey!

My morning sky was amazing again and this time I got to share it with Jim. He left this morning for Tennesse at 4:00 am, and we both paused and gazed at the beautiful starlit sky laid out for our enjoyment. The moment of beauty passes quickly as the sun brightens the day, but I think of the sky often, and even during the day always find myself looking up --at clouds, at perfect blue sky, and sometimes looking into raindrops. But always looking at the expanse of sky with tremendous Joy.

As I was leaving the house for work today, a beautiful black Hawk soared above me. He was so graceful and so powerful as he swooped around the roof, circled the huge oak tree in the front yard, before soaring out of sight. I long to soar like the hawk. And while my feet don't seem to leave the ground, I am aware that my Journey of Joy is giving me wings. I soar with Joy as I look at my beautiful life that today was blessed with seeing that magnificent black bird.
Here's to the Journey!

I am thrilled to be moving to Tennensee to be by my daughter Liz and her family. I believe that a part of my divine purpose in life is to be a wife to Jim, a mother to Jenn and Liz, and to be a Nanna to my three grandsons, Tucker, Rollin and Fynneus. Oh, and a loving mother-in-law to Thadeus! The other part of my divine life purpose is still under construction, so I will write about it in the future.

As I try to align myself with my divine life purpose, I realize that I must release fear to let in the Joy. Fear is the opposite of Joy, yet sometimes fear is more "comfortable" more "cozy". Today, I released the fear and guilt of feeling too happy. You know how you feel so happy some days that you feel like you could just explode - or maybe burst into flames, or just tipp over - well that has been me for the past few days. And then there is a part of me that feels guilty for being happy. Today, my Joy Moment was realizing that I am worthy of happiness. I am worthy of all good things. And I will not let fear and guilt hold back my expression of Joy!
Here's to the Journey!

Today was a beautiful day in Florida. As are most days here. But today was very windy, and I love windy days! I love to stand in the wind and feel it push against my body. And on windy days, I always remember my youngest brother who passed through my life too quickly. When I stand in the wind, I know my brother has watched my journey all these years, and I breathe deeply for both of us! It is with great Joy that I feel the wind, and it is with greater Joy that I know Kenneth is the wind!
Here's to the journey!

I am still ecstatic today! The sale of our house is a huge milestone in my Journey, and I am overflowing with joy. My whole body feels like it is vibrating with joy!

I woke this morning with this wonderful feeling of joy, and my morning became even more thrilling. I start my day very early. I am awake at 4:00 am and up by 4:30. I wake up with such anticipation because I can't wait to go outside. And as always, when I stepped outside today, I was not disappointed. The beauty of the sky and stars took my breath away as I gazed upon the vast array of stars that were laid out just for my morning pleasure. It was so quiet, so peaceful, and these stars, in the glorious expanse of the sky, seem to float like tiny twinkle lights. I am breathless. I am filled with joy to have this moment and this beauty! And, I am already looking forward to tomorrow's morning sky!
Here's to the journey!

Okay - Day 2: Joy - Intense, ecstatic happiness!!!!!! That's me today!!! Because after 3 years on the market, we finally sold our house today!
Joy is loving and caring about family so much you want to live close to them.
Joy is family loving and caring so much about you that they want you to live close by.
Joy is moving to Tennessee!!!!!!
Here's to the Journey!

Beginning My Journey of Joy

Today I begin to track my Jouney of Joy. And it is with more than a little trepidation that I take on this Challenge. The Challenge? To look for and write about Joy in my life every single day.
According to Webster, the definition of Joy is: Intense, ecstatic or exultant happiness. To take great pleasure, to rejoice. The feeling of ecstatic happiness, pleasure or satisfaction. To enjoy.
Joy covers a wide range of emotions, from intense, ecstatic happiness to pleasure, to just simple enjoyment. So while there will be many times of intense, ecstatic happy moments in my life to share, I will also look for the quiet moments too. My blog will be a daily reminder that I will look for and create Moments of Joy through out my day, and in doing so will capture in writing my Life's Journey of Joy!
Here's to the Journey!