The opening line of one of the best-known hymns in the English language, inspired when Henry Van Dyke was struck by the beauty of the Berkshires. I have been struck, too, by the two worlds I am called to live in. One world is filled with doomsday prophecies, conspiracy theories, natural disasters and the like. It is being piped into me on airport televisions, radio stations, newspapers, social media, and more. And it’s UGLY.
The other is the world where JOY lives. And because I’ve been on my Joy Journey this year, I have seen that it is possible to “live in Joy” instead of fear, to see that Joy is present instead of hopelessness. I cannot imagine my frame of mind if I did not have this special 2018 Joy mission to accomplish. For those just tuning in, at the onset of 2018, I chose three words to govern my life this year: Freedom, Joy and Change. I promised to notice the things that gave me real joy, to write them down and to share 101 Joyous things with you as the year progressed. In May, I listed 32 things that brought me pure joy. Now, I’ll report on more. And since I started noticing the things that give me joy, I’ve realized that I have a LOT to be grateful for. I have a TON of fun. Here’s a snapshot of what I’m talking about:
- Reuniting with my many “old” friends and colleagues at the AICPA ENGAGE Conference
- Seeing my partner Tamera’s luminous face as she was named one of the AICPA and CPA Practice Advisors Most Powerful Women in Accounting
- Completing my 8 years as our church's acolyte co-master
- Helping my parents through a health crisis and hospitalization for my mom and watching her fight her way back to us
- Seeing my momma work crossword puzzles again
- Making my mother laugh
- Spending an incredible week at the beach in Kiawah Island with my family
- Running, biking and kayaking on Kiawah
- Appreciating the wonder of nature – alligators, birds, the Saltmarsh, the majestic ocean, sea turtles, dolphin, and more
- Facilitating several clients’ leadership retreats and appreciating the wonderful progress they’ve made in becoming NextGen firms
- Making my partner Tamera laugh on our many trips together this summer
- Suffering through a sweltering 10K in August and being propelled forward by my husband’s shout, “Let’s go, JLo!” from across the lake
- Paddle boarding after that race with Brian and having him really love it for the first time (Yes! A convert!)
- After initially resisting, committing to return to the role of Youth Group Leader at church
- Helping my “big girls” pack up for college – a normal routine for the “big” one and a first time for our middle one – and seeing how prepared and pragmatic they were
- Knowing, that despite my tinge of sadness when leaving them at school, they were 100% ready for this next stage of life
- Making my girls laugh
- Having my flower gardens toured by the Bellevue Garden Club
- Going with my girls and friends to see Peter Frampton and Steve Miller again
- Watching almost every one of our youngest’s volleyball games this fall
- Running my 3rd Market to Market Relay with a wonderful team of women leaders and having my husband volunteer to drive the van for us (honey, are you sure???!!!)
- Returning to my role as the party mom
- Seeing Def Leopard and Journey again
- Seeing our “baby” crush her first quarter of high school
- Making my husband laugh
- Watching a bunch of smart TV on Netflix with Brian late night
- Meeting a new, young running buddy and having her push me
- Early morning CrossFit with Brian or running with Jossy when I'm home
- The serenity of yoga with my girl Melanie
- Providing support for and praying for Mel as she battles cancer
- Making Melanie smile
- Going to Friday Night Lights to watch my nephews play ball
- Traveling to Chicago for “work” with my girls and seeing Hamilton with our “starter nanny” Jess
- Running on the Chicago waterfront and shopping on Michigan Ave.
- Having Hamilton speak to me about my work and inspire a blog on succession
- Visiting my 50th state in the U.S. – Maine – on my birthday
- Running my fastest ever Half Marathon (2:02) on October 28
- Running that race without a plan
- Reading the wonderful writing of my fellow teammates and being inspired by their insights and talent
- Making my team members laugh
- Running in Central Park several times and at least three with Tamera this year
- Finding a late-night Starbucks on a business trip
- Waking up to the smell of coffee made by my non-coffee-drinking husband
- Decorating the soffits in my kitchen for Halloween (and now Thanksgiving)
- Having Convergence team members achieve a new level of mastery at something they’ve been working toward
- Teaching NextGen leaders in any of our Leadership Development Programs and hearing their ideas for change and betterment in our profession
- Saturday morning brunch at the Village with my mom and dad
- Making my dad laugh
- Baking peanut butter cookies for my dad and hubby
- Sleeping in my own bed
- Watching a “show” with my family from my comfy bed
- Learning that a component of our government’s checks and balances have been restored
- Finding out someone who was leaving us wants to stay instead
- Making audiences laugh
- Making this Joy List
Truly. The act of writing these things down as they happen and reviewing my Joy List for these blogs magnifies my blessings and reminds me of all the good there is in the day-to-day, the here-and-now and in the special people that we are fortunate to have in our lives. In the words of the Joyful, Joyful hymn, getting present to your JOY “melts the clouds of sin and darkness and drives the dark of doubt away.”
So, where is your JOY coming from? What actions or activities bring you JOY? Who in your life delivers JOY? Notice when you feel joy. Write down the who, what and when so you can replicate it. Review your Joy List regularly to remind you of all that is good in your life. Share it with others – with us! We’re interested and your sharing will bring us JOY.
Gratefully,
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