Check out the New Blog Here!

Click on "Bliss Habits" and let me know what you think!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

From the trenches of Joy week.

JOY - A source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something exceptionally festive or satisfying. [Joy week starts here. Click here for this week's Bliss Initiatives]


Image credit The Joy House


Last night I took advantage of number from Daphna Caperonis' list of 50 ways to find Joy. Hit the sack sooner. Go to bed an hour early tonight. Tomorrow, you'll wake up with a brighter outlook. I would love to tell you that it was part of some grand plan to follow through on my bliss initiatives but actually it just sort of happened. You see my Sweetie and I have been, as many parents of preschoolers do, struggling with getting our girl to bed at a reasonable time and last night we succeeded! Woo hoo she was sleeping by 9:00 so that leaves us with the possibility of watching a couple of adult television shows or anything else we might be interested in doing. 

The problem was we were tired. Normally we would have pushed through our tiredness just to spend a few girl free hours together. It is as if we have a sacred trust to stay up for an additional few hours when the opportunity presents. Thankfully we were wiser last night. We went to bed early and even though I didn't feel like I needed "a brighter outlook" having a full eight hours of sleep certainly helps one to feel sunnier!

I am having a hard time believing that it is Saturday already. I think kicking off the week on Tuesday, because of the giveaway, was certainly a contributing factor but it really is flying by. Easter has positively snuck up on me and in addition to Easter, tomorrow is Jessie's third birthday. Her fairy birthday party is next weekend so full panic hasn't entirely set in! So, it isn't just weeks going fast it is whole years! I really do feel like I'm in a sped up version of my life right now! 

Here is the recap of my Bliss Initiatives.



  • Study - I have started "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin, which I already shared, but I just haven't found the time to finish it. I'm a very speedy reader so I think I should have this knocked out by now... perhaps later today, no realistically that time will be spent dying Easter Eggs! Guess I'll have to update you all next week. Order is covered in Gretchen's book so I have an "on topic" reason to read it next week too!
  • Do something you love - Here I've been reasonably successful. Jessie and I shared an ice cream yesterday when I felt the need to vacuum. We had just had six of her friends and their siblings & mommies over for lunch so our house was a disaster but I chose going to the mall and having an ice cream cone. She was so happy. We don't usually have ice cream on random Friday afternoons... want to make sure she eats dinner and other reasons aside I think I should do so a bit more often!
  • Carry a pocket charm - Great idea except I lost my charm! I keep hoping it will show up but I've checked all my pants pockets and the various collecting spots in my house... nothing! 
  • Field work - I've done the one thing from Daphna Caperonis' list but it hasn't been a conscious effort. I think I'll look that list over when I'm done here. You should do the same. Joy inspiration does await!
  • Get in the mood for Joy - I have watched the 5 minute Finding Joy Movie once. It is a nice meditative thing to do. Reminds me that I have a lot to be grateful for this Easter season. Try it for yourself. I do think you will like it!
So there you have it, My update from the Joy trenches. Definitely a mixed bag of results but I'm happy to be playing the game! How about you? Are you encouraging joy over in your world? If so, I'd love to hear about it!

Next Post: Something New comes to Everyday Bliss

My 13 bliss virtues: joy, order, creativity, passion, whimsy, serenity, inquiry, community, romance, gratitude, moxie, humility, surprise

3 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing the Finding Joy movie ~ that was my moment of meditation in a hectic day! (my daughter & I did ice cream spontaneously yesterday too ~ I agree, sometimes it's more of a need than any other food group or task)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for sharing this. I made a cake from scratch tonight, and frosting as well, to be shared with family tomorrow. The cake will be adorned with a variety of fresh fruit. I put a lot of love into the cake, so I am hopeful it will bring joy to all that share it. :) Theresa

    ReplyDelete

Thank you "very so much" (the construct I stole from my 3 year old!) for your comments! I reply to every comment. I will ALWAYS reply over here on the blog so if you haven't heard from directly please do check back here. If you become a Disqus member you will be automatically updated via email as well!

Start Building YOUR Empire Today!

Empire Building Kit

Legal Stuff

Bottom Line: Don't steal. Stealing isn't nice and it is also illegal.

© Kathy Sprinkle and Everyday Kathy, 2009-2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Everyday Kathy with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Ben Franklin's 13 Virtues

  • 1. TEMPERANCE - Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
  • 2. SILENCE - Speak not what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
  • 3. ORDER - Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
  • 4. RESOLUTION - Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
  • 5. FRUGALITY - Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e. waste nothing.
  • 6. INDUSTRY - Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
  • 7. SINCERITY - Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and if you speak, speak accordingly.
  • 8. JUSTICE - Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
  • 9. MODERATION - Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
  • 10. CLEANLINESS - Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths or habitation.
  • 11. TRANQUILITY - Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
  • 12. CHASTITY - Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or to the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
  • 13. HUMILITY - Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails