How many times has a good friend asked you how you were and you found yourself telling her some of your troubles?
It’s something we all do…especially when that friend is someone whom we trust.
I don’t think letting someone know that you’re struggling with your child, or your job, or your health is a bad thing. Not at all. In fact, unless I know that you’re dealing with something that needs prayer….I can’t pray specifically about it for you.
Do you think it would make any difference if instead of talking about our troubles, we would tell people about our joys?
You’re at Wegmans and a friend you haven’t seen in a while says, “Hey Janie, how are you?” You reply, “Chloe, when I dropped my son off at school today, instead of jumping out and running towards his friends, he turned around and said, “Mom, have a fun day!” “I thought to myself, I’m not crazy about grocery shopping, but I’m going to have fun doing it. And you know what? I am!”
Okay…maybe that’s a bit hokey. But think back over your day. What if you chose to celebrate your joys with someone you chatted with today?
I think this could truly change how we look at our day, evaluate our circumstances, and interact with others. I even think that we’ll start looking for the joys first. Sure, we’ll still have troubles. Tomorrow, we’ll still need that new job, lab test, or car repair. But, there are good things that happen in and through our days that we never give a second thought.
- You can tell others about those joys.
- You can write them down in a journal.
- Or you can pop over to Facebook and share your joys there at An Extraordinary Day : A Place of Joy & Inspiration.
- And…be sure to give thanks for all those wonderful joys you’re celebrating.
I’m going to challenge you to do this for the whole month of April.
Today’s almost over….but try it at least once.
I can’t wait to see you celebrate your joys on Facebook, and even hear how it makes a difference in your day and those around you.
Are you in?
Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.
Joyfully,
Diane
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Sharing at these Extraordinary spots:
Green Willow Pond + Savvy Southern Style + Smart School House + Lavender Cottage Garden + Polkadots on Parade + We are THAT Family + Ivy & Elephants + Fine Craft Guild + Someday Crafts + The Life of Jennifer Dawn + From My Front Porch to Yours + A Delightsome Life + Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson + The Self-Sufficient Home Acre + Living Well Spending Less + A Glimpse Inside + Imparting Grace + Common Ground + The Charm of Home + French Country Cottage + Thrifty Groove + Nancherro + Jennifer Rizzo + Shabby Art Boutique + Craftberry Bush + AKA Design + Life + Craft Dictator + The Answer is Chocolate + Tidy Mom + My Romantic Home + Liz Marie Blog + Rooted in Thyme + Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo + Shaken Together Life + Just the Four of Us + Thirty Handmade Days + Art of 66 + Serenity Now + Little Miss Celebration + The SITS Girls + Natasha in Oz + Be Different Act Normal + Cheerios & Lattes + Sewlicious Home Decor + Too Much Time on My Hands + Pieced Pastimes + Pink When + Nifty Thrifty Things + Life on Lakeshore Drive + It’s Overflowing + Life in Balance + The Tablescaper + My 1929 Charmer
Celebrating your joys is a fabulous idea… I wish we did that more on national television also…..! Thanks for the reminder, I needed it!!
This would be terrific on my blog hop. Would you please come join the party?
Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop
Thanks much!! 🙂
“hugs” Crystelle
Crystelle Boutique
This is a very challenging challenge! But I’m in. I don’t do Facebook but I will make it a point to do this each day in April.
It definitely does the heart and mind good to elaborate on the good times rather than the bad! I think mine is always a mixed bag at the end of the day with my husband. The good news is that there are almost FAR more joys than sorrows in that bag. Thank you, Lord, for that!!!
Hokey, perhaps but something similar did happen at Wegman’s last week.:) I left the car door open while I went to get my bags from the trunk, I don’t know why, I usually gather everything from the front and then get the bags.
When I turned back I realized I was inconveniencing the driver of the next car. I apologized and said something about being pre-occupied with the chore. She smiled and said, “Why don’t you enjoy it today.” It did change my whole outlook, I felt brighter and more alert. Strange, but true!
EVERYTIME I READ your blog or post it challenges ME to not give into a depression but to look for and at the joys and thankfulness of each day. I feel I’m fighting the good fight of faith and not giving into the negative so thank you for your beautiful words and reminding me to make my days “extraordinary”.:)
I’ve been trying to do something similar to this on my FB page during this Lent. Instead of ‘giving up something,’ I’ve been posting something for which I’m thankful. I’m not a big FB poster since I have a blog. This has been a challenge for me. Sometimes, something very simple is what gets posted but it helps remind me to be thankful for even the small things! I’ll be visiting your page to add my posts. Thanks for hosting this! It’s a great idea!!
This is a wonderful idea and a great challenge! It reminds me of a similar challenge a few years ago that our bible study did, looking for God moments every day. I already found my “joy” this morning…I can hear songbirds!!! That sound heralds spring to me and makes my heart sing! Thank you for sharing at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a lovely week! ~Deborah
OH my….this is the perfect “assignment” for the grumpy one. LOL…I mean ME!! Yup, next time some one asks how I’m doing, I’m gonna haffta respond with a JOY!!
But you’re gonna haffta remind me cuz stuff falls outta my head!
G’head….ask how I’m doing! (I need LOTS of postit notes!!LOL)
Great idea! Trying to be a more positive person so this fits the bill. I’ll head over to facebook and post.
I just wanted to say how much I love your site. I found it a little over a week or so ago and have now read every entry. It seems to have such a calming affect on my soul, and I have now made it apart of my morning, every morning while eating my breakfest I read from your site. It’s simply wonderful!
I don’t use facebook but I will keep the challenge in mind. I hope you have a wonderful day and thanks so much for taking the time to inspire your readers every day. God Bless 🙂
Diane, I was back at Wegman’s today. Each time I go I look for the cashier who was very kind to me a few weeks ago when I really should not have been out, I felt so very poorly. Today, I saw her and got in her line. She didn’t seem to recall my story but was so pleased and asked me to repeat it to her supervisor who just happened to be walking by. It was humbling, having to tell someone else how kind the employee had been to the crotchety, unhappy customer, but I did.
She announced it would go into the employee’s file, thanked her for doing her job well and then announced to her that she would be given a free lunch today. My lady seemed stunned and as we finished my transaction, she thanked me again. I replied that only the Lord could have sent me in her line that day and her soothing attitude and words probably kept me safe on the road that day. She agreed that He was in charge, then and today. She asked to hug me and with tears in her eyes and her beautiful smile, told me that she had no money to buy a lunch.
Joy bells were ringing for both of us. What was meant for evil, He turned to good.
Elaine….thank you so much for sharing your story. Oh I can’t tell you the joy it brought my heart and the tears that spilled from my eyes too. Only God. Only God would work out all those details today just like that. How can we not keep praising his name!?! Oh how loves you and me. Oh how he loves when we love our sisters and brothers. Big Hugs to you!!
p.s. Today my inbox contained an email from Wegmans. I see that they are now the #1 supermarket in the nation and were giving out free cake. I guess this is a good example of why. They set up an atmosphere for their employees to be kind and considerate and thoughtful and they are rewarded for such goodness…among other things they do.
Oh what a beautiful moment. How graced the both of you were! Thanks for sharing your story.
Hi Diane,
I really enjoyed your post. I’m visiting from the French Country Cottage. I, too, believe that there is something to be joyful about. Something to celebrate in every day. That’s one reason I called my blog, Where Blessings Gather. There are so many things to be thankful for and find beauty in in the ordinary day. Thank you for sharing!
Blessings to you,
Tamara
I’m up to the challenge! It’s so much better to celebrate our joys than focus on our failures.
I’m so excited to see your project on Show-Licious Craft & Recipe Party! Thanks for linking up with us!
xoxo,
Ashley
Wow–Elaine’s story brought tears to my eyes. What a loving thing to go back and thank the woman who didn’t have a clue how she’d helped someone that day……and to be blessed again..wow……
I came back to let you know I’ve not forgotten! LOL I have sticky notes in a bazillion places and I have he-who-won’t-let-me-forget! LOL And isn’t it amazing that I’ve been gifted with opportunities to follow through and create some joy along the way.
So thank you–I was getting a tad weary of listening to myself. LOL ((( hugs )))
I’m right there with you, Mel. Elaine’s story just keeps blessing. 🙂
A “bazillion places”!!!! I love it! But even more…I love that when I felt impressed to initiate this challenge I had no idea where it would go. Who would ‘sign on’ or who would benefit. I give the praise to God for giving you “opportunities to follow through and create joy along the way.” Who knew this challenge would have such a great beginning in your corner of the world. {{{{Mel}}} Thanks for making me smile…BIG!
Hi Diane:
I really enjoyed the post- love the idea and your words and photos have inspired me. Than you! This is my second time visiting your website and I really enjoy it. I will be back!
That’s good advice. My grandmother says no one wants to hear the bad stuff anyway.
Thanks for sharing.
Sherry
Great Reminder!
Thanks for sharing your post at the HomeAcre Hop!
Diane, what a lovely and wonderful idea – I absolutely love it! So much happier, healthier (and fun!) to focus on the joyful, positive and uplifting parts of our lives, for there are many! Thank you for sharing this inspiration at Best of the Weekend and pinned to our party board. Hope you’re having a happy and joyful week!
I love this post. It makes me happy! I have just shared it on Google+ and Pinterest.
Thanks so much for sharing your post at the Say G’Day Saturday linky party. I hope you can join in again tomorrow!
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz