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My Joy List

7/14/2020

12 Comments

 
While I have been working my best to distance myself from the news that surrounds every place communication resides, I decided to focus my attention on joy. It is important to find joy, but sometimes I forget to look for it. Sometimes I need to remember on purpose, so today I chose to write a simple list of things that bring me joy. They were listed as they came, in no particular order. 

  1. The smell of Jergens lotion. It reminds me of childhood. 
  2. The sound of waves crashing down onto the sand and starting over again.  
  3. Smelling the salty ocean in the air before it appears.
  4. Suntan lotion. It reminds me of home.
  5. The whistling sound of a cool breeze blowing through the leaves of many trees.
  6. The color green.
  7. The color blue.
  8. My mother’s arms.
  9. Laying my ear against my son’s chest to hear his heart beating. 
  10. Kicking my feet up on my bed and listening to my son tell a story. 
  11. My hands in the dirt.
  12. Watching chickens chase each other for fun.
  13. Hide and Go Seek… with anyone. 
  14. Acting out a read aloud.
  15. Jumping and waving at the sight of a student far down the hall, because waiting for a new day is long.
  16. Morning sunlight through my bedroom window.
  17. The unexpected laughter that erupts after hearing someone’s contagious laugh.
  18. Laughing out loud until it hurts.
  19. Listening to Yo-Yo Ma.
  20. Witnessing acts of courage.
  21. The sounds of a group listening, laughing, and reacting to a story.
  22. Koi fish.
  23. Reading in absolute silence.
  24. Writing in absolute silence.
  25. Listening to friends share stories.
  26. Breathing out into a smile.
  27. Walking among pine trees. 
  28. Water lilies. 
  29. Peachy-Pink Gerbera Daisies. 
  30. Pomegranate green tea.
  31. Dutch chocolate ice cream with sliced almonds.
  32. The shadow of a leafy tree on green grass.
  33. Water gun wars.
  34. Playing Chess with my dad.
  35. Sculpting grey clay into life.
  36. Watching the seeds I planted, grow.
  37. Pausing to watch a load during the wash cycle. 
  38. Fresh sheets.
  39. Organic coffee.
  40. Lyrical poetry. 
  41. My uncle calling me, Marinita.
  42. My sister Sandra’s garden.
  43. My sister Lisa’s giving heart. 
  44. Having my mother’s tamales.
  45. Listening to my father’s family stories. 
  46. Listening to my aunt Flora’s gentle voice.
  47. Conferencing with a writer. 
  48. Going out to a good movie. 
  49. James Arthur songs.
  50. Green tree frogs.
  51. Large butterflies swimming through my backyard.
  52. Causing change with written words.
  53. Receiving a box in the mail, any size.
  54. Smudge free eyeglasses.
  55. Folded laundry.
  56. The sound of my parents laughing together.
  57. Inspiring kids to love reading.
  58. Inspiring kids to love writing. 
  59. Teaching my sons to cook.
  60. Watching my sons become friends. 
  61. Staring into my husband’s eyes and feeling butterflies, every time.
  62. Going for a bike ride.
  63. Falling asleep.
  64. Saturday mornings. 
  65. Hope.
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12 Comments
Maureen Ingram link
7/14/2020 04:40:37 pm

Sixty-five examples of joy - this is fabulous! Oh, how I loved "Laying my ear against my son’s chest to hear his heart beating," "The unexpected laughter that erupts after hearing someone’s contagious laugh," and "Staring into my husband’s eyes and feeling butterflies, every time." Beautiful! I am in total agreement with you about the beauty of writing in silence. Thanks for this slice!

Reply
Marina link
7/16/2020 11:28:40 am

Reading your comment helped to recreate the feeling creating this post caused me. Thank you, Maureen.

Reply
Deborah link
7/14/2020 04:55:43 pm

What a joyful list of gratitudes. You have lived such a rich life because you have savored the details of each moment. My favorite is your mother's arms :)

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Marina link
7/16/2020 11:30:53 am

I'm beginning to see the importance of savored details and noticing the moments. My mother's arms... my favorite, too. Thank you, Deborah.

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Katina Osth
7/14/2020 05:38:01 pm

Oh my goodness! What a refreshing list! I have to agree with you about the Jergens lotion. I would add to that Nivea and Noxema. Those were my smells if childhood at the beach.
The other one that rang my bell was smudge-free eye-glasses! That’s the bees knees!
Thanks for sharing your list! I might just have to write one of my own.

Reply
Marina link
7/16/2020 11:33:01 am

Yes, it was refreshing for me... like a breath of fresh air. Made me feel good. Oh man, those eyeglass smudges annoy me so : )

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Kristin Dungan
7/14/2020 08:15:11 pm

Wow, just wow.

The sand and the surf tells me you and your husband need to make a day trip to the beach before school starts. Think of the writing you could do.

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Marina link
7/16/2020 11:34:30 am

I'm positive I won't have to take him kicking and screaming. The ocean breaths life back into me. We will have to make our way in the next two weeks.

Reply
Terje
7/15/2020 01:19:29 am

A fabulous gratitude list. Being intentional in looking for joy is an admirable mindset and one that helps to create happiness.

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Marina link
7/16/2020 11:36:07 am

I think I will make finding joy a daily practice. Thank you, Terje.

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Fran Haley link
7/15/2020 06:32:24 am

Oh, Marina - now I will have to write a joy list! You caught me at the beginning with Jergen's lotion ... suddenly my father reappeared from long ago. He was right here in the room, like I could turn and see him, because of that scent. And suntan lotion ... Coppertone ... again, my dad, in summer, protecting his fair skin ... suntan lotion does smell like home. I never questioned that smell is the most evocative of senses. Here's more proof. Your list is so beautifully rendered - thank you, more than words can say.

Reply
Marina link
7/16/2020 11:44:47 am

Thank you for such a thoughtful comment, Fran. It caused me joy to know it reminded you of your father. Your words are like poetry. The smell of Coppertone... I thought it was just me. Thank you for sharing your beautiful memory.

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