As you all know, I love challenges, so I have created a new one for December.
THE JOY CHALLENGE: Every day this month notice, do, create … something small that ignites a spark of joy in you or someone else.
Please feel free to share your results here if you would like to do so. ‘Tis the season to spread joy.
Happy Holidays!
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Day 1: Cold blustery day; the snow is coming down hard. What a joy it is to stay inside and work by the fire.
Day 2: I met two new people today who share common passions with me. I so enjoyed my conversations with them.
Day 3: Joy is sitting at my desk in a warm cozy house with three loving dogs lying on the floor surrounding me.
Day 4: Clean sheets – so simple yet still a joy.
Day 5: The joy of smiling at someone and seeing him smile back.
Day 6: Signed up for a small business building program – joy in anticipating what’s to come.
Day 7: Holiday Joy – visiting Papyrus and selecting a greeting card for a very dear friend.
Day 8: Nothing quite like the joy my golden retriever, Zydeco, finds in fetching his stuffed duck.
Day 9: I love seeing holiday decorations in people’s yards, shopping malls, city parks…. Twinkling lights – twinkling heart.
Day 10: Joy in discovering a “new” old movie, “Sweet November,” and watching it while sipping spiced cider and sitting on my comfy couch.
Day 11: Joy in listening to the gentle flow of water – traveling mindfully through bamboo onto smooth grey stones. I love my Zen fountain.
Day 12: Joy is having a warm, comfortable bed to rest in while I’m feeling under the weather.
Day 13: After my father passed away, I adopted his blind and deaf Bichon Frise. It gives me joy that Pepi has adjusted to his new environment and now considers my house “home.”
Day 14: Joy = Comforting Circle of Canine Companions
Day 15: Being sick is not all bad – joy in drinking black chai tea and reading an interesting book while resting in bed.
Day 16: Finding joy in sweet memories of my childhood.
Day 17: I mail-ordered a Christmas gift for a friend in Michigan. The vendor accidently mailed it to a house in Pennsylvania. When the house’s owner opened the package and saw the invoice, she realized that the gift-wrapped box inside was not intended for her. She emailed me last night that she’s going to the post office this morning to mail the package. She hopes that it will get to Michigan in time for Christmas. I offered to reimburse her for the postage, but she said “No.” This lovely act of kindness and generosity brings me joy. It also reaffirms my belief that there is a great deal of genuine goodness in the world.
Day 18: The first bar of a zydeco song – my heart’s already dancing.
Day 19: Joy in playing a role in making something nice happen for someone else.
Day 20: Joy in seeing my postman’s smile when I gave him his Christmas present.
Day 21: I spent several hours cleaning and organizing the house. Though the chores themselves were not fun, quite remarkable is the joy derived from a tidy space.
Day 22: Joy in giving the man who shoveled my sidewalk today an unexpected tip and wishing him a Merry Christmas.
Day 23: Listening to Christmas carols – Joy in the House and Joy to the World.
Day 24: Today is Liza Jolie’s birthday, and she received a new ball and stuffed duck. I don’t know which one of us is experiencing more joy – Liza playing with her toys or me watching Liza play.
Day 25: Missing my parents and remembering Christmases past. Joy has many flavors. Today’s is bittersweet.
Day 26: I was driving down Sixth Avenue and spotted a big snowman on the parkway. He was adorable with his evergreen branch arms reaching out as though to wave hello and hug everyone who drove by. I smiled instantly and imagined the joy someone had in creating him. Joy is infectious, so I felt it too. I’ve added building a snowman to my “To Do” list. 
Day 27: Joy in swapping pet stories with fellow animal lovers.
Day 28: Joy in making a new friend.
Day 29: Joy in conversing with dear longtime friends. Some activities grow old, but that never does.
Day 30: I had a most delightful time eating lunch with one of my best friends and catching up on things. Joy in connection.
Day 31: The sun rises – the same sun as yesterday yet so different. I listen to the wild gusting wind and hear the roar of the Pacific Ocean while standing on the High Plains of Colorado. I watch my new prayer flags wave along side the old. And my heart is dancing, dancing joyously in gratitude for 2011 and eager anticipation of 2012.
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