Monday Meditations - Joy

Joy

Someone recently told me she wasn't experiencing any joy in her life. Each day she would go through the motions of simply surviving. There was nothing to look forward to. She didn't feel as if she had many friends with whom she could get together and make plans. While her feelings may have been true, the reality of the matter is that sometimes we need to make an effort. Yes, we need to work. Yes, we must pay the bills. But we also must make time for the things that bring us joy.

My sisters and I dressed up
in some CW finery.

One of the things my family did for fun when I was growing up was Civil War skirmishing. That is something that is similar to reenacting, only the different regiments shoot at targets for competition instead of at each other. My parents started doing this when I was only five months old. They continued doing it after I got married. We camped with the same people many weekends from spring to fall. We made lifelong friends, some I'm still friends with today. (Although it's not necessary to mention how many years later!)

We looked forward to those skirmishing weekends. Those weekends were the only time we saw those friends. Spending time with those people and doing something we loved brought us joy. I still have so many precious memories of times and people from those years!

My parents. My mom made so many
CW clothes, from uniforms to camp
dresses to ball gowns.

My brother and me.

My Happy Place

As an adult, I'm a simple girl. It doesn't take much to bring me joy. All I need during the summer months is my chair, a book, and some sun. If there is a pool, that's just icing on the cake. If I can sit outside and read for an hour, I feel rested and recharged enough to complete the rest of my daily tasks.

I'm not good at thinking up stuff I want. My kids get frustrated with me at Christmas, Mother's Day, and my birthday. They ask what I want, but I can never think of anything tangible. I would much rather spend time with them doing something. It's often the littlest things that bring me the most joy.

What about you? Do you feel you need a little more joy in your life? What can you do to make that happen? What hobbies did you once enjoy? Take some time, even an hour a week to revive it. Call a friend, go out to lunch, and catch up. Don't look for only big things to bring you joy. Take a walk. Enjoy the sunset.

This week find one little thing that brings you joy and take advantage of it.

My mom enjoyed writing and the Civil War. She combined them when she wrote her novel Victory Song.