Choosing joy (again) and gratitude

Here I am. Relearning (or is it reviewing?) lessons from the past. I've been wallowing in my own way lately, daily reminding myself to--

• "let go or get dragged" 
• "turn my will and my life over to the care of God"  
• "act my way into right thinking"

There are moments, even hours, of serenity and peace. But for the most part, I have to admit that I have NOT chosen joy or gratitude. So, yesterday I decided it was time to do so. Once again. Make the conscious choice. Take action. And see what happens.

And good things do happen. Joy does show up. It happened yesterday in the space of 15 minutes after making the choice:

• Decide to stop by the Wednesday, Westerville Farmer's Market. I don't really need any produce or meat. I do want something sweet and homemade--a cookie or brownie. There are several good bakers at the market.

• Walking up the street, I peek in the window at Captivating Canines (store for dog-lovers) and laugh at the doormat on display. Would be a fitting greeting when Jock is around. 

Sweet potato bird

• At the Farmer's Market Mike and Laura Laughlin (Northridge Organic Farms) have some HUGE sweet potatoes ("Yes, the first digging is always a surprise," Laura grins). Have to buy the bird! 

Last of summer peaches

• Branstool's Orchards has peaches. Yum! Coming down to the last, luscious week of fresh peaches. Fifteen bucks for a peck. I'm in. Rummaging through my billfold, I realize I only have $15 in cash and no checks. Edna senses my mild dismay and asks if anything is wrong. "No, I just had wanted to buy a cookie. But I don't have enough cash or any checks." Her response: "Can't stand in the way of a woman and her sweets!" and she gives me back a dollar.

• Off in search of cookie. Great choices at Batter and Bowl. Shoot! $2! I scrounge in the bottom of my purse, hoping for recalcitrant coins hiding in the folds. "Don't worry," Sara says. "Karma comes around. A dollar is fine." Can I really be so lucky? Again? "Yesterday I ran out of gas and someone gave me five dollars. We're just paying it all forward."  No brownie every tasted so sweet. 

And all of that in the space of 15 minutes after choosing joy. Life would be pretty good if I decided to choose joy and gratitude on a daily, breath-by-breath basis!

(By the way, joy showed up again today.)

For Jock