This is my friend Laura from western Nebraska. By day she is a Director of Nursing at a regional hospital, by night she is a wife, grandmother, rancher, farmer and artist—and all around AWESOME person!
The Simple Joys
Laura reached out to let me know that calving season is almost over. The calves are bouncing around the pasture chasing and frolicking while their tired mothers remain dutifully watchful for threats like coyotes and mountain lions.
She tells me, “Lisa, the calves are so beautiful with their fuzzy black fur shining in the sun. I just want to capture this moment.” And she does, through photography, paintings and other art. More importantly, she’s captured the joy of the memory in her own mind and shared it with me.
Laura is a great teacher. She knows how to embrace a moment and emblazon it on her brain. Laura can recall that moment later to refresh herself. I envy her skill. She teaches me to slow down a little, rejoice in the simple joys and celebrate the small victories. She sees the good in all people. She has a beautiful spirit and I’m better for knowing her.
Like Laura, we THRIVE if we make deposits in our emotional bank accounts by stopping to inhale and embrace simple joys—like baby calves being born, a cup of coffee with a friend, a small gift from our loved one. And then, when it feels like the world is conspiring against us, we can access those positive memories and know that whatever negative circumstance life delivers us, it’s temporary. And JOY will come again.
This week I challenge you to be mindful. Go in search of simple joys. And as you find them, be WITH that joy so it becomes a happy memory.
Thank you all, so much, for the support you give to our work – as donors, volunteers and members of our “Family.” I cannot begin to express the amount of joy I receive as I learn of the progress our clients are making because of the help you make possible. I think I’ll just sit with that for a bit.
Have a terrific remainder of the week. You are LOVED!
