Joy Jam

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

1. The plants in my CSU office. I am on the south side of the building with two big windows that stretch the full width of my office and all the way up to the ceiling, so there’s lots of light and heat–perfect conditions for plants. A co-worker came in my office the other day and saw one of my blooming plants, and the nine others covering that table, sighed and said “I love this. It makes me so happy coming in here.” They make the air in that space breathable, are a reminder that I am loved, as all but one of the plants were gifts. They give me the opportunity to care for them, a kind of nurturing where you get as much as you give (or more)–I water them, walking down the hall to fill my watering can, at least three trips it takes now, slowing down and taking a break from my work as I pour, drinking in their peace, grace, green.

2. Fruit salad. Banana, pineapple, and strawberries in a big bowl.

3. Time spent with good friends. The perfect sandwich at the Red Table with Chloe’, lunch and writing at Mugs with Carrie, the Rec Center at CSU with Sandy, breakfast at Snooze with L.A., and Writing Group later today with WILD. I know next week I have to slow down, won’t have so much time for socializing, but this week was nice.

4. Eavesdropping on a really great conversation. This is probably the best part of writing in a public place. There was an older man named Andy and his younger female friend at the next table over talking about the lessons he’d learned as a realtor–the three values of a real estate deal: reward (commission), a relationship (with the client), and a learning experience, (“would you pay $25 to hear a talk about that?”) and some difficulty happening in their church community, (“when you make friends with the world, you make an enemy of God”).

5. Dreaming about writing. Recently, I’ve been dreaming about writing like some people dream in other languages, their native tongue or one they are working hard to master–for me, writing is both. I’ve dreamed in French, Spanish, and code (HTML, CSS, and ColdFusion), but this is better.

Where have you found 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.