I’ve been practicing what I call The Delight of the Day. Each day I watch for moments that inspire a strong feeling of gratitude and  joy within me.   I mentally label the strongest such moment The Delight of the Day.  The practice encourages what psychologists call “positive scanning.”  I’m waiting for good things to happen  and, when they do, I notice and celebrate them. The more I understand what brings me joy, the more I can drop into it.

I am still not feeling very well. Is there such a thing as a migraine hangover?

Logging these delights assures me that there have been moments when the little things break through like sunshine through the clouds.

My delights for this week:

 Attended Art-a-Whirl and saw folks with whom I haven’t connected in 15 years, along with their new art.
 Spent time with/as the nuclear family. I like us!
 My husband stepped in when other caretakers didn’t show up. I appreciate his calm steadiness
 Explored with the vlog brothers… They are smart and funny and thoughtful.
 Was comforted by my favorite bus driver… He’s happy to see me, checks on us when the roads are ridiculously bumpy and maintains good humor.
 Sat in the sun.
 Had a toy flashback and discovered they still make them – magnetic Scottie dogs.

May you move toward your joy and find delight in each day.

I’ve been practicing what I call The Delight of the Day. Each day I watch for moments that inspire a strong feeling of gratitude and  joy within me.   I mentally label the strongest such moment The Delight of the Day.  The practice encourages what psychologists call “positive scanning.”  I’m waiting for good things to happen  and, when they do, I notice and celebrate them. The more I understand what brings me joy, the more I can drop into it.

After the last couple weeks, I have been diligent about looking for a daily delight, even though this week has been YAM (yet another migraine) week. [This is Day 5...] Finding joy in the midst of pain feels like an attempt at advanced practice.

Yesterday morning, I noticed the way the light and shadow fell on the folds of the bed sheet. It was beautiful. I had my Delight of the Day even though the pain was already gusting up to 6. When I got to my computer, I found a message from my niece saying nice things about my writing, bless her heart. Oooh, that was balm for my soul!

The power of her words was increased because she was specific and she was talking about something that matters to me.

How can we open to the affirmations we receive from others and
remember to give unexpected affirmations* to others?

* Extra points for specificity and meaning

My delights for this week:

 I revealed one of my less-attractive monsters to my writers group and prompted an honest conversation and creative encouragement.
 Hung out with six second and third-graders for an hour, enjoying their open questions and opinions.
 Same-sex marriage legal in Minnesota! Love wins!
 I enjoyed putting together this month’s Creativity Cookies.
 Made some Pentecost art for a newsletter. It’s comforting to know I can be creative around the edges of the pain.
 Received the note from my niece, prompting this reflection on unexpected affirmation.
 Put together this post and recognized how lucky I am to have the technology that makes it possible!

May you move toward your joy and find delight in each day.

I’ve been practicing what I call The Delight of the Day. Each day I watch for moments that inspire a strong feeling of gratitude and  joy within me.   I mentally label the strongest such moment The Delight of the Day.  The practice encourages what psychologists call “positive scanning.”  I’m waiting for good things to happen  and, when they do, I notice and celebrate them. The more I understand what brings me joy, the more I can drop into it.

It has been several weeks since my last Delight post. I got knocked off kilter by several internal and external events. [This is an excuse.] I have not been posting my delights summaries. I have not been logging my Delight of the Day. Worse, I have not been watching for delight in my life.

Once again, I need to practice what I think may be the MOST IMPORTANT of all my practices:

I want to release

 the stories that surround the excuses.
 the regret and guilt (Okay, it’s an entire emotional cocktail) I feel about the gap in my practice

I am hereby recommitting to the practice. My delight for today is the way the sun is slanting through the living room window onto the wood floor. As soon as I finish this post, I’m going to go sit in it like a cat.

Tomorrow, I will notice another Delight of the Day and return to the practice.

Do you have practices to which you would like to return?

May you move toward your joy and find delight in each day.

I’ve been practicing what I call The Delight of the Day. Each day I watch for moments that inspire a strong feeling of gratitude and  joy within me.   I mentally label the strongest such moment The Delight of the Day.  The practice encourages what psychologists call “positive scanning.”  I’m waiting for good things to happen  and, when they do, I notice and celebrate them. The more I understand what brings me joy, the more I can drop into it.

On Sunday, I spoke from the heart in front of 100 people. I talked about my feelings. I talked about my challenges and my attempts at solutions. I was vulnerable.

Afterwards, many people told me they had been feeling the same way. I was reminded of the huge power of an honestly-given “me too.” There is nothing more comforting and energizing than finding strength by being real with each other.. Sharing our stories changes the world.

How can you share your story in the next week?

Here are my  Delights for this week:

 My family cooperated in giving me some time to prepare for a speaking gig the next day. As an introvert, time alone feeds my soul.

 Many “me too” moments after the speaking gig. (See above.)

 Discovered John O’Donohue, including Beannacht (“Blessing”). Beautiful language revealing a deep gentle soul!

 Warm temperatures!

 Saw someone familiar in an unexpected, unfamiliar place – a delightful surprise.

 Returned to my writing project. It’s great to reexperience the passion and excitement that draws me to this work.

  The snowfall is beautiful on the trees outside. I’m enjoying the interplay between my awestruck “it’s beautiful” voice and the more whiny “but it’s April” response.

May you move toward your joy and find delight in each day.