Recent Gifts

Amazing how this choosing joy posture makes a difference. It's neither magic nor self-delusion. It's perspective. Eyes open. Willing to be surprised. It also helps with learning to be present and in the moment--particular challenges for me.

After all, how can one worry about bills, potential hazards to health, and global warming when one is counting 10, no 12, no 14, no way...15 monarch caterpillars on two swamp milkweed plants. Yes. It's true. I counted 15 of these brightly-striped beauties on two plants in my rain garden two weeks ago. And that same day I noticed a preying mantis perched below the mailbox (I moved her to the red twig dogwood to provide her better camouflage).

In fact, my little corner of human-made Eden here in the suburbs is full of late-summer activity. Most of it has occurred in the front rain garden.

First, a wild mass of cantaloupes ran rampant through the sedge grass and wild quinine. Their seeds must have been hiding out in the compost incorporated into the garden bedding. Sun and bees helped the vines flourish, and more than a dozen cantaloupes sprung out. Only a few had a chance at full growth, given their late start and their home in a "rain" garden! But they've been the wild bunch of joyous teenagers who fill your house with laughter while they raid the fridge. 

And of course, there have been monarch chrysalides (yes, that's a plural form of chrysalis) in the rain garden. I've been on time to see two brand new, hours-old butterflies resting and warming themselves, preparing for flight.

On sunny days the bees comb through the asters, packing on the pollen and filling up on nectar.

Everyday I go out and check the activity. Sometimes several times a day. Curiosity is a great excuse to step away from the computer screen. It's also a way to remind myself of the joys around me--small things to which I could so easily be blind. Causes me to wonder what other joys I'm missing and reminds me that only in choosing joy do I know it.

One of the topics yesterday at a weekly meeting I attend was on "taking care of self." It occurred to me that one way I am learning to "take care of self" is to choose joy.

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

Choosing joy and gratitude when the heart breaks

Two weeks ago we moved Dad from independent living into assisted living. It was another downsizing and another reminder that life is closing in and closing down. Dad concurred that making the change was the right thing to do. He looked at the new space before the decision was confirmed.  My sister and I were concerned that Dad fully recognize that his living space would shrink from a one-bedroom apartment to one bedroom. "Well, I don't really need all that space," and, "This is the right thing to do," were Dad's responses.
So on a Saturday, my sister, brother-in-law, and daughter moved the few items that would fit in one room from Dad's apartment. We arranged the furniture...

Choosing joy and gratitude

Bee balm: a funky, raggedy, and joyous!

I like to think that I'm a "glass is half full" kind of person. The truth is that while the glass may be half full, it does have a chip on the rim or there is some bit of floating lint or insect piece. Yes, half full, but...

Wouldn't be bad if I were to keep my observations to myself or let them bounce and slide, ice-cube-like, off the edge and onto the floor. But no. I'm in the bad habit of wearing mild disappointments confidently--not loudly or brazenly, but with quiet assurance. Ask me "How are you?" and you're likely to get, "OK" or "Not bad."

Geesshhh! I don't want to be around me sometimes! ...