Pull Up A Chair and Set A Spell ...
Join Our 3o-Day Pilgrimage into Joy!
Day 19: We take a sacred pause to reflect upon our journey thus far.
I’m heading out for a busy weekend of work and play, so here is my post to carry us ‘till Meditation Monday.
I’m vowing to pack Joy in my suitcase with me and en-Joy myself to the hilt.
On Friday, I will meet with spiritual directees and mentees. Though this is my “work,” it is pure Joy for me to be with people in this way. We meet for one hour and sit in the most, lovely quiet place that has been filled to overflowing with prayer energy for decades. You can see it for yourself here. We begin in silence, then invite the Spirit in. We open our hearts. We listen deeply to our inner whisperings to discern how we are being called to live—in this moment, as things are.
On Saturday, I will co-lead a Summer Solstice Gathering. This year we have music. A wonderful flutist, Aline, and my friend, Roberta, is bringing an array of musical instruments and drums and we will sing and celebrate ourselves and beautiful Mother Gaia..
Another Joy I’ll have is staying at my mother's house. She is 80-years-old now, and I treasure every moment I have with her. But this time around I am bachelorette-ing it and have the whole place to myself. Though her condo is not a beach chair on the shores of Caribbean (the dreamy photo above), it's quite comforting. I'll have a cozy bed, my Joy Book to write in, and a new book I absolutely love: The Lost Art of Compassion by Lorne Ladner, Ph.D.
I'll head home early Sunday morning because it's Father’s Day and I'll spend it with my beloved husband, Brad, a few of our children and two very cute grandchildren. (We have a blended family of 7!) It will be a day of picnic fun and good food and Frisbee and sticking our toes in frigid Bay water. Rounded out with tiramisu. Delicious Joy! I do hope it is a sunny day, but if it isn’t we will comply and languish in love and appreciation indoors. I adore my husband. He is the best partner, lover, and friend a gal could ask for. And my soul’s companion. Happy Father's Day, honey!
As you see, I have much to look forward to and much to be grateful for. Gratitude, you know, is the twin sister of Joy. If appreciation graces our lips, holds court in our heart, our life can vibrate with Joy.
Today, I'm inviting you to pull up a beach chair and sit down beside me. Let's gaze at those gorgeous blue-green waters together and reflect on our Pilgrimage into Joy so far.
What are you noticing?
Is Joy increasing or are you stumbling? Is it consistent or elusive?
What’s bringing you Joy?
For those of you keeping a Joy Book, would you like to share a bit from one of your entries?
I'm eager to hear ...
~~~~~
On Thursday, we will have our final Joy-journey guest, Cindy La Ferle.
Cindy is a prolific writer whose award-winning essays reflect upon the simple joys in life, especially family. You can learn more about her at http://www.laferle.com/. And there will be a book of hers to give away, too.
So stay tuned!
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10 comments:
I'm sitting in the chair beside you, my straw sunhat pulled down low, contemplating the joyous activities of summer on this weekend of the solstice ... time spent at a little beach on Long Island Sound, outdoor concerts beneath the summer stars, long walks, gardening and tending my Jet Star tomatoes, ease, peace. Oh yes, and ice cream ... The joys of summer!
Oh Jan, Jan, Jan,
I could so use a day on the beach today. Thanks for the invitation. Look out for me, I'll be sitting in a low green and white striped lounge chair with the straw hat. You'll see a basket beside me, stacked with a magazine, a book or two, my journal, my writer's notebook, a couple of pens and my camera.
Ah, a day at the beach, to re-connect with God, relax, reflect, read and write. Oh joy!
Joanne,
Your joys this weekend do sound wonderful. Summer does offer the most special joys. Though some of our kindred spirits here are in a different climate--Winter! I wonder what winter joys they could share with us...I recall a post Kel once did on making snow angels. She lives in New Zealand. :-)
Cheryl,
I had one beach day this week and it was absolutely glorious. I love falling asleep in my lounge chair to the lull of waves and waking up the same way? Like you, I pack my beach bag with a book or two, my journal, and snacks, of course! Food always tastes better eaten at the beach. It sounds like you really need a beach day. Any chance of lining one up for yourself sometime soon?
That sounds like a fabulous weekend, Jan! My ears perked up at the mention of tiramisu...my all-time favourite dessert!
I'm envious of your wonderful relationship with your husband and continue to hold out hope that I will enJOY a similar joining of spirits in the (hopefully) not too distant future.
Blessings!
Carolynn
A rainy summer solstice here but that doesn’t dampen the Joy ! If I close my eyes I can see the glorious sky, hear the rhythmic sound of the ocean waves and feel the warmth of sunshine in my soul…. Joy is a state of heart. Thank you for guiding us on this journey. Love and Light, Nina P.
Jan,
I've scheduled one for next Saturday with daughter and grand-daughter in tow. Such joys are so much sweeter with my favorite girls along for the ride.
It sounds like you have some wonderful plans for the next few weeks! I agree with Carolynn, though, the one thing I had the strongest reaction to was when you mentioned tiramisu.
:0)
Wishing you Joy in all you do,
Angela
Carolynn,
Thank you! You, as well.
This relationship with my husband was long awaited. It would make me so happy if everyone could experience a love such as this once in their lifetime. Each day I offer a prayer of gratitude for this... I hope that someday True Love will be yours too, Carolynn. We all deserve such love.
Nina,
You say it very well. Yes, Joy is truly a state of heart ...how we view our lives...how we see the world. Not through events or circumstances that can come and go like the tide. Lasting Joy is a sense of way of being that lives in the heart.
Cheryl,
Oh, I am glad to hear this. Sounds like a wonderful day. Enjoy!
Angela,
Post Father's Day...The tirimisu was amazing, though my step-daughter made it differently. It was not coffee/chocolate, but raspberry with Grande Marnier. Oh, it was good!
For me, the way to joy this summer will be acceptance of what is and lack of regret for what is not. If the first day of the season was any indication, flexibility will be the key.
Sharon,
Glad to hear about this wise and gentle focus for yourself this summer. Living in the northern climes as you and I do, I think summer is all about being gentle with ourselves and enjoying this fleeing season of warmth and wonder. :-) Blessings!
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