A great round up of joy. For me, joy is really in the mundane things of everyday life. Walking my dog, waking up to coffee that my husband made, visiting my young adult boys in their slightly sad apartments because it reminds me of how we started and how their independence is growing. Joy is also born in service. As I grow my writing business, there are certainly days when I get lost in the noise of comparison but then I reach one person and they tell me what a difference the class makes, or a word makes - and I realize that one is enough. The joy of ONE.
Your reflections on joy are truly inspiring, Ann. They’re a beautiful reminder that joy often comes from simple, priceless, heartfelt moments. Thank you . Well, since I joined Substack just over a week ago, I have to say I’ve certainly found some joy here in what many call “one of the kindest corners of the internet.”
Thank you for your warm welcome and for sharing these links. I enjoyed reading both posts, particularly your encounter in Rome. It's quite extraordinary how a difficult question from a stranger led to such a beautifully expressed, profound reflection on love. Bravo!
My two pups, George and Leki, bring me joy because no matter how long it’s been since they last saw me, whether I’ve just come back from the store or out of the loo, they are over the moon that I’m back! They wiggle and wag their tails like mad and even though I know it’s probably about treats I never doubt that I’m important to them.
That’s lovely. I always liked dogs but my husband and I got to an impasse on this one. He likes only big dogs (like the boxer he had as a child) and I like only small ones (like the dachshund we had). No way through !
What a wonderful photo and series of vignettes, Ann! Opportunities to experience joy are truly all around us. For me, I had a delightful Uber driver at the non-delightful hour of 3:30 this morning. Everyone at the airport has been so nice, and I got to interact with a dog who was overjoyed that someone was talking to him. Waiting to board my flight, I read your post and I cannot help but smile. It’s a good day…!
What a wonderful photo, Ann. These are some of the things that bring me joy too. Also, being out in nature and watching the local wildlife doing their thing - hearing the kookaburras “laughing”, watching a pelican fishing, the rays gliding through the water. I vividly remember one morning at school, as a teacher on duty, watching a young girl of about 6 just splashing about in the puddles before the bell went. She was completely absorbed in the moment. It was a very grey morning and I had just returned to work after a family tragedy, but this, despite bring tears to my eyes, brought me some much needed joy too. It’s the little things 😊
Thanks. I am very fond of the photo, as I am of the child, although he is completely different now.
It sounds like your life is much more filled with wildlife than mine is, although even in a London garden, we have plenty of squirrels, pigeons and other birds (not to mention slugs, which do not bring joy). Strangely, where I live - quite far from the sea - we have huge numbers of seagulls. And, even more strangely, we have foxes, which walk up and down the streets of London like they owned them. There is one which comes to my garden frequently – I was going to post a photo but I don't think I can.
I am doing a check of old posts and old comments, today, Pat. Finding a few where I never answered, including this one. What a nice comment. I found another comment of yours (another post altogether) where my comment back was in the wrong place, but it all seemed so long ago, it wasn't worth worrying about
Thanks for asking. My three-year-old great-granddaughter and my cats, Bailey and Bella, bring me joy. But I also enjoy writing and painting, being organized and living independently.
oh dear, Janice, I don't know why I didn't reply to this. I have such good intentions to reply to everything and then things slip through. A great grand-daughter is exciting. With two teenage grandsons, I feel such days are so far ahead they may never happen. But both grandsons are very interesting, so I can't complain.
I enjoyed reading your substack. I enjoy many things but perhaps a meal with my family is high on the list. I will also add being in my chair with my stack of books, a cup of coffee and a good pastry. I enjoy feeling rested. I enjoy a walk in nature. I enjoy a tidy house. I enjoy looking forward to travel plans.
Your reply has been swirling around my head - are ‘joy’ and ‘enjoy’ covering the same things? The words look the same, but the resonance feels very different to me. Joy is something strong; enjoy can be mild pleasure, such as reading my post (but thanks!). What do you think?
A great round up of joy. For me, joy is really in the mundane things of everyday life. Walking my dog, waking up to coffee that my husband made, visiting my young adult boys in their slightly sad apartments because it reminds me of how we started and how their independence is growing. Joy is also born in service. As I grow my writing business, there are certainly days when I get lost in the noise of comparison but then I reach one person and they tell me what a difference the class makes, or a word makes - and I realize that one is enough. The joy of ONE.
Sounds like you are a very positive person. So am I. Good luck with your Substack.
Thank you, Ann. Helpful for me today:).
Your reflections on joy are truly inspiring, Ann. They’re a beautiful reminder that joy often comes from simple, priceless, heartfelt moments. Thank you . Well, since I joined Substack just over a week ago, I have to say I’ve certainly found some joy here in what many call “one of the kindest corners of the internet.”
Thank you. That's lovely to hear on a cold grey day, where everyone (business) I am trying to contact is giving me grief! Welcome to my Substack. It's not always about joy but it's always about something interesting or amusing. Try https://arichardson.substack.com/p/thinking-about-the-vulva or https://arichardson.substack.com/p/encounter-in-rome to list two not quite at random.
Thank you for your warm welcome and for sharing these links. I enjoyed reading both posts, particularly your encounter in Rome. It's quite extraordinary how a difficult question from a stranger led to such a beautifully expressed, profound reflection on love. Bravo!
OHH THANK YOU--I LOVE THIS!❤️ WE NEED THESE WORDS OF JOYFUL WISDOM!🩷
Spoken by a GRAMMIE!🏆
🙏NAMASTE💜
My two pups, George and Leki, bring me joy because no matter how long it’s been since they last saw me, whether I’ve just come back from the store or out of the loo, they are over the moon that I’m back! They wiggle and wag their tails like mad and even though I know it’s probably about treats I never doubt that I’m important to them.
That’s lovely. I always liked dogs but my husband and I got to an impasse on this one. He likes only big dogs (like the boxer he had as a child) and I like only small ones (like the dachshund we had). No way through !
Growing up my dad always had big, outdoor dogs, labs mostly, and my Mum had her little dog who slept on her bed and followed her everywhere.
What a wonderful photo and series of vignettes, Ann! Opportunities to experience joy are truly all around us. For me, I had a delightful Uber driver at the non-delightful hour of 3:30 this morning. Everyone at the airport has been so nice, and I got to interact with a dog who was overjoyed that someone was talking to him. Waiting to board my flight, I read your post and I cannot help but smile. It’s a good day…!
Thanks, Cathy. I hope you find more joy wherever you are going.
Lovely. 🥰
What a wonderful photo, Ann. These are some of the things that bring me joy too. Also, being out in nature and watching the local wildlife doing their thing - hearing the kookaburras “laughing”, watching a pelican fishing, the rays gliding through the water. I vividly remember one morning at school, as a teacher on duty, watching a young girl of about 6 just splashing about in the puddles before the bell went. She was completely absorbed in the moment. It was a very grey morning and I had just returned to work after a family tragedy, but this, despite bring tears to my eyes, brought me some much needed joy too. It’s the little things 😊
Thanks. I am very fond of the photo, as I am of the child, although he is completely different now.
It sounds like your life is much more filled with wildlife than mine is, although even in a London garden, we have plenty of squirrels, pigeons and other birds (not to mention slugs, which do not bring joy). Strangely, where I live - quite far from the sea - we have huge numbers of seagulls. And, even more strangely, we have foxes, which walk up and down the streets of London like they owned them. There is one which comes to my garden frequently – I was going to post a photo but I don't think I can.
But yes, it is the little things.
Lovely - thanks. x
A joyous post. Thanks so much. (Your grandson was a real cutie! So funny to imagine what he’d be like now, at 15! 😃)
Thank you. He's not so cute, but he is ever so interesting (and he subscribes to my Substack!)
I find joy in reading your posts.
I am doing a check of old posts and old comments, today, Pat. Finding a few where I never answered, including this one. What a nice comment. I found another comment of yours (another post altogether) where my comment back was in the wrong place, but it all seemed so long ago, it wasn't worth worrying about
These are joyful moments, Ann, thanks for sharing them. I can say "snap " to most of them!
Excellent. We all have our own individual trajectories, but we all need moments of joy. And if you can say 'snap', then so much the better.
Thanks for asking. My three-year-old great-granddaughter and my cats, Bailey and Bella, bring me joy. But I also enjoy writing and painting, being organized and living independently.
oh dear, Janice, I don't know why I didn't reply to this. I have such good intentions to reply to everything and then things slip through. A great grand-daughter is exciting. With two teenage grandsons, I feel such days are so far ahead they may never happen. But both grandsons are very interesting, so I can't complain.
Ann, your words today so clearly describing what brings you joy make me smile and feel joy too!
I keep reminding myself that joy will return, but it’s gone into hiding this morning. Your photo helped.
It's getting harder, I must say. But it will. Nothing lasts forever.
I enjoyed reading your substack. I enjoy many things but perhaps a meal with my family is high on the list. I will also add being in my chair with my stack of books, a cup of coffee and a good pastry. I enjoy feeling rested. I enjoy a walk in nature. I enjoy a tidy house. I enjoy looking forward to travel plans.
Your reply has been swirling around my head - are ‘joy’ and ‘enjoy’ covering the same things? The words look the same, but the resonance feels very different to me. Joy is something strong; enjoy can be mild pleasure, such as reading my post (but thanks!). What do you think?
I felt that the enjoy brought the joy to me.