Joy | Open Space Practice, (AKA: A Thousand Shades of Gray)

What were the 3-5 things that gave you joy this week?

1. My dogs. The very first time I did a Joy Jam post, I listed “these three boys” in reference to Eric, Dexter and Sam. I could put the three of them on every Joy Jam, gratitude, Something Good, favorites, things I couldn’t live with out list I ever make. But this week, I think because I’ve been doing the Small Stones posts and have been more attentive to everything, and I spend so much time with them, I have really been noticing how much I adore my dogs. Every single day they bring me joy.

2. Laughing with Eric. It wouldn’t do any good to explain the exact moments, because sometimes there are things that are only funny to you, and won’t make sense to anyone else.

3. Missing Obi. Any of you who have lost someone close to you know that grief can sneak up on you at the oddest times. The wind blows or a door slams or you see something out of the corner of your eye and turn to look, and suddenly you are right there, in the exact moment you lost them, as if it is happening again, right now in this moment. I was in my meditation room the other night, and I caught a glimpse of a picture frame I have on the shelf there–it’s one of those kits that you can make a hand or paw print on one side and put a picture in the other. I made this one of Dexter and Obi’s paw prints, the day before Obi died, and put in one of my favorite pictures of them.

I know it seems strange to mention this in a list of things that brought me joy this week, but the depth of loss and grief I feel for Obi is a reminder, a joyful one, of the capacity for love and connection.

4. Ease and Freedom. These are two things I don’t feel very often, but when I do, I appreciate them so much. This week, there were several times that I felt one or the other, or even both at the same time. Writing on Monday (I made four blog posts that day, and felt ease as I did so), walking the dogs in the snow on Tuesday morning, watching two owls with a student I’d just met (both of us standing so quiet and still, paying attention and wholly in the moment, appreciating the magic), sitting on my meditation cushion last night, practicing yoga this morning, and walking the dogs this afternoon (home early from work on a Friday, a windy but beautiful day).

5. Relax. I have talked many times about Susan Piver and her Open Heart Project. If you sign up to be on the mailing list, a few times a week she sends videos and a written message. One video is typically a discussion of some issue related to meditation (life), important teachings for free. I am continually amazed by her brilliance and generosity. In one of her most recent videos (I apologize for not remembering exactly which one), she talked about how Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche said (she was paraphrasing) that the more he studies, the more he thinks the entire path, the whole dharma, the truth and the teaching and the way could be summed up in a single word: Relax.

This makes me so happy. I’ve heard him say similar things before, so it wasn’t the first time I’d heard the idea, but when Susan reminded me, I felt what I always do: relief, and then joy. It really could be that easy. Something in me says “yes” every time I contemplate the idea. If you relax, you find freedom, space, ease–everything is workable. Seriously, I’ve been trying to disprove this idea with multiple scenarios, but I can’t think of a single situation where things wouldn’t be better simply by relaxing into reality, accepting what is as it is.

Where did you find joy this week?

What were the 3-5 things that gave you joy this week?

1. New Slippers. I already wrote about these for my Small Stone this morning, but they are worth mentioning again. I haven’t had a new pair of slippers in at least two years, and since I don’t wear shoes in the house and live in Colorado where the winters are cold, I needed them. I absolutely love them.

2. New Year’s Yoga. Om Ananda Yoga Studio New Year’s Eve with Sarada teaching, a softly candle-lit room and the twinkly lights in the trees outside waving in the wind. Old Town Yoga Studio on New Year’s Day with Michael teaching, Wheel Pose, and a dear friend beside me. Such a good way to begin.

3. 2012 Weekly Planner, Dream Manual, Inspiration and Encouragement Keeper. I made Eric a book for Christmas, and he gave me a new weekly planner, writing inside the cover “Jill’s Guide to the Best Year Ever!” His book turned out so well, I decided to take the extra pages in my planner and make myself one, full of inspiration and resolve and power. I collaged the pages using photos I’d taken, pictures from magazines, favorite quotes and blog posts, a reading list for 2012, etc. It was a six glue stick project, but so worth it.

4. Yellow Umbrella Tree. This is another great share from The Cool Hunter. This tree could almost make you forget about winter.

5. New 37 Days Website and Launch Party Video. Patti Digh, who seems to be everywhere doing every good thing this year, revealed her new website yesterday and did a livestream launch party. I missed most of it because I got the time zones wrong and only got to see the last 15 minutes. Luckily, she recorded it. I can watch it later, which I will. I love, love, love her work. She is an inspiration, in many ways.