Have you been feeling overwhelmed by life? By the news? By all you are responsible for? Fleeing to live under a rock or on top of a far-away mountain would be wonderful but hence, probably not possible. So what can we do? How can we find some peace and some joy in our daily lives?
MaryCatherine McDonald, a trauma researcher and author termed the phrase, “ Tiny Little Joys”. Ever since I read about this I have been looking for Tiny Little Joys or what I have termed, “Tiny Bits of Joy” (TBJ). Both Ms McDonald and myself define TLJs and TBJ in the same way. Small, bright spots in our day that bring us a small amount of joy.
Finding Tiny Bits of Joy
For me I find Tiny Bits of Joy
- In that first cup of coffee in the morning
- Taking sunrise walks with my dogs
- The smile on my grandson’s face
- A caramel after dinner
- A kind smile and chat from a neighbor
- Finding a few minutes to meditate
- And the best one of all, snuggles with my dogs!
My husband, an older retired gentleman, recently took a summer job as a toll booth monitor at the beach in St Augustine, FL. In St Augustine we can drive onto the beach but must pay or have a season sticker. The toll booth people, one at each beach drive-on entrance, are all retired seniors. Their job is to take payment and check stickers. When my husband told me he was going to take this job I was surprised.
“Why do you want to do this?” I asked.
“Because everyone who is going to the beach is happy. I get to talk to happy people all day.”
Wow! I got it! A Tiny Bit of Joy for him!
Can you identify any Tiny Bits of Joy for yourself? Try making a list of things that would be Tiny Bits of Joy for you. Review your list and try to do a couple of them a day. Make them habits in your day or look for them daily. Maybe they are already there?
As usual, I am always happy to help you identify some Tiny Bits of Joy in your day.
Be well!