Scattering Joy

Years ago I started journaling a gratitude list.  I had a mentor at the time who had given me a two week assignment, and I can remember telling her (after a week) that this whole gratitude thing was stupid and wasn’t working.  She told me to keep at it for another two weeks.  And then another. And another, and well, here I am all these years later still doing it.   It wasn’t stupid and it did work then and still does today.  

So I’m cruising around the internet the other night and come across a blog with a really fun project called “The Little Bliss List.”  As creator Liv Lane writes, “It’s like a gratitude list, but rather than just being thankful for the things I have…I want to be thankful for the way I feel….sharing a list of the bliss in my midst, reflecting on moments over the past week where I’ve caught myself in a sense of wonder, contentment, and true joy.”

It doesn't take more than that to convince me!

I’m in!! 

So, so, so in.
Sharing bliss and scattering joy.
Love it.

My one little word for 2012 is embrace and my tag line is, “let your life be wonderful” and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by practicing gratitude and sharing blissful joy. 

Although the goal of the party is to post a little bliss list every Friday, I figure it’s ok that I’m a day late the first time out of the gate – somehow I don’t think bliss cares what day it’s shared…….as long as it is.

So without further ado, here’s my little list of 5 things that brought bliss into my midst this week – and where and when I felt a (sincere) sense of wonder, contentment and true joy:

1.)    Facebook.  Yea I know – I balked and fought it for a long time.  But I have reconnected with a side of my family that has been long separated and estranged.  And it feels wonderful.  (In fact I had a conversation with my niece just this morning!)

2.)    My new “Smash” journal.  When the box from Amazon came, I couldn’t wait to open it and pull out my journal!  I touched each page, even held it up to my nose and took a deep breath.  There’s just something so magical about the smell of a new book – especially ones with blank pages just waiting to be filled.

3.)    Red tulips. I LOVE red tulips.  3 dozen of them on my desk in a round vase that used to belong to my grandmother and where she always arranged her red tulips too.

4.)    My granddaughter, the most precious Princess Olivia.  She doesn’t just walk now, she runs.  To everything – with her arms outstretched and wide open.  And the way she brings me things, saying, “grrr” (which I know means grandma) demanding my undivided attention and settling for nothing less.  (As it should be.)

5.)    The sweet customer who came into my store bearing a piece of triple layer chocolate cake for me yesterday and presented it to me as she told me how much she loves my store and everything in it and how much joy it brings her to spend time here in the “sanctuary” I’ve created.