The Joy Project
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 2:50PM Once in awhile I like to ask people this question: What is the ONE thing that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, no matter how you're feeling? The caveat is that the "thing" cannot be children, pets, partners or their activities. Believe me, this question can stump people.
For me, it's a happy face (preferably yellow) and penguins (photos or graphics), and of course the sight of a mountain. Why? I have no idea. I just know they make me smile. I can actually physically feel the lift.
For too long now, I've been concentrating on things that are missing from my life: children, partner, enough money, a life in the city in which I prefer to live... etc. You get the picture. So, needing a new focused writing project I decided to try to come up with words about the joy in my life.
Hence, The Joy Project.
Today's joy has been finishing the work that makes me feel completely prepared to teach my continuing ed. class tonight. A great deal of my joy comes from writing and activities related to my journalism, writing career. Like, interviewing intelligent and interesting people who are doing good things in the world, or reading exquisitely, admirably written book for review. (less joyful is transcribing those interviews and labouring over a review of a writer I admire)
But, what I hope to discover is joy in other parts of my life to which I tend to give less weight. There is, after all, joy to be found in every single day. Even tiny amounts.
My intention is to unearth the joy in my life so that I can appreciate it more and feel happier. Writing always helps with this so I think it's a perfect marriage.
More to come...
Joy,
happiness,
smile,
the joy project in
Life and How To Live It,
The Writing Life 




