I HELD JOY IN MY HAND

    I HELD JOY
   IN MY HAND

I purchased holiday door hangers that said, “JOY” for my friends and delivered them with notes that held my wish for them to have Joy in their lives for the New Year.

I found a special ornament that said “JOY” during a shopping adventure, brought it home and hung it in a prominent place on my tree.

I even read the popular book that taught me how to declutter my closet by keeping only things that bring me “JOY.”

Every year I choose a word.  A word that will guide my life for the next 12 months.
This is different than a resolution.
It doesn’t cause me guilt or shame when I give up the diet I promised myself I would maintain or the exercise program that typically lasts a month.

This is a word I try to live by for a year.
I begin thinking about it around November.  Some years I struggle to find the perfect word.
Last year it came to me during a meditation.
This year it slapped me right in the face.  Over and Over and Over again. 

It took me a while to catch on.
Why did I decide to read the book in November that caused me to begin really thinking about what does bring me JOY?

Out of all the thousands of ornaments for sale in the stores, why was I drawn to the one small JOY ornament to bring home for my tree?

Why did I choose the JOY door hangers for my friends?

While shopping a few after-Christmas sales it flashed before me like a beacon guiding me to open my eyes.  Everywhere I turned in the mountains of left over holiday items covered with words, sentiments and greetings - JOY jumped at me.

One piece pulled me closer with intentional force.  I reached through the crowed isle to pluck the simple glittery word from the shelf.
I stood in the middle of the store holding JOY in my hand.
At that moment the golden statement sunk into my heart. 

   THE WORD IS JOY!

JOY had been trying to reach into my life in small and quiet ways.  It had been whispering to me,
      “Wish ME to your friends,
       bring ME into your home,
       allow ME to fill your heart!”    

The in-my-face synchronicity was not to be ignored.

    THE WORD IS JOY!
    MY WORD IS JOY!

I brought the golden JOY home and hung it in my office as a reminder to live the New Year in JOY.
To only bring things into my life that bring me JOY.
To seek experiences that bring me JOY.
To share JOY with others in every way and every day.
To be mindful enough to learn what really does bring me JOY and love myself enough to settle for nothing less than a JOYOUS life and a JOY-filled year!

Feeling very satisfied with my decision, I moved on to my daily routine of opening the mail.  The last envelope was a holiday card that had most likely been delayed in delivery.
I reached in the red envelope.
The silver glitter covered card reflected the sun magnifying the message into a blinding validation.
The card had one simple word on it- JOY!
Of course it did….
   THE WORD IS JOY!

Pennie’s Life Lesson:
“Love yourself enough to know what brings you JOY and welcome it into your life!”  
                     
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YOUR TURN...         
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to experience JOY in the new year and share it with others.  What is your word? 
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below .  And please feel free to email me  at:
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