finding joy in 2025

 A new year is upon us. 

None of us knows what these twelve months will bring. Some of us have already experienced tremendous highs and devastating lows. And we're only a month in. 

What I do know is that it's important to be intentional about celebrating the little joys in life, even (or perhaps especially) in the middle of heart breaking, overwhelming, anxiety producing news. 

I also want to be part of bringing light and hope to others. Yes, in ways that I am uniquely created to do.  If I feel prompted to act or speak in an encouraging way, I'm learning to quit overthinking and take the step and do it. Leave the outcome to Someone bigger than me. I am, of course, a work in progress. 

This year, I've taken a few steps to bring (or keep) more joy in my life. That means I've added a new practice or two and ended others. But how to determine what to change?  

I'm a fan of doing some regular reflection - attempting to make a habit of month end and year end (and sometimes day's end) reviews. What worked? What didn't work? What brought me joy? What drained me? What do I want more of? What do I want less of, or even to eliminate from my life at this time? When did I feel close to God? When did I feel distant? How did I fill my days? Sometimes you really don't know until you take some quiet moments to sit and think and perhaps journal reflectively. The next step might become clearer. 

A few gifts I've enjoyed this month: 

• almost daily 20 minute yoga
• a daily morning coffee/latte from our new Nespresso machine (crema...yum!)
• having a church acquaintance over for supper on a whim
• enjoying Harry Potter book #3-- no, I've never read them until this past month or so. I've watched the first movie. 
• spotting a tiny (northern pygmy?) owl perched on a rock near our shrubs, staring at me  as I stepped outside near the end of the day #abirdfromtheLord :)

Have you uncovered the gifts in your everyday life?  Take a little time to look for them. They are there.