Life's Little Joys

In my last post I challenged you to make a list of all the things in life that simply bring you pure joy, and now I want to explore that some more! The picture above is me on top of my friend's Jeep, almost a year ago; at the time, we took the picture because we thought the sunset was pretty. We thought it was "very VSCO" and perfect for the summer time, but looking back now, I realize that I wanted that picture because I was happy. Not just happy, but joyful. It wasn't just me on top of a car, it was me on top of life, laughing, watching the sunset with new friends, feeling seventeen and fearless, and thinking "this is what all those movies are about". You know the ones I'm talking about, where the girl finds herself and there's a epic soundtrack that you listen to for days, and even though you cried a little, you still walk away smiling because life, for at least a moment, was pure bliss. Yeah, it was one of those days.

This was a part of my bucket list summer, which will by far go down as one of the best summers I've ever had, and it happened in QUARANTINE! When quarantine happened, I had a rude awakening that I had let my world lose its color. I realized that I had gotten so caught up in being "perfect" that I had stopped enjoying the messy bits of life that make the world so fun. My mom then challenged me to create a list of all the things that bring me joy, just like I challenged you. I could name maybe five things at the time, and I realized that the things that made me the most happy were actually quite simple: trying new foods, good music or dancing, nature, my dog, and my family. 5 to 6 things. There were only five things, outside of the Lord, that I could think of that made me blissfully happy, and that was on a good day.

So, I started incorporating those things into my life more often: I took my dog on more walks, I started cooking, I blasted music that made me happy, and I reminded myself to laugh often.

This process evolved into the creation of my bucket list because I wanted to push myself to get out of my comfort zone more, and it was the greatest thing ever! I made YouTube videos with my brother, and went star gazing, and bought water balloons. I did little things that I hadn't even considered doing since I was a kid, and it taught me that if I can learn to celebrate a good cup of coffee on a Tuesday, then every day can be a "bucket list" kinda day. Every day can be like that picture.

Now, I'm sure you can guess what my next challenge to you will be: make a bucket list and celebrate the Tuesdays. You don't have to wait for a global pandemic in order to try something new, you can do this every day just by trying something new, or in my case, trying something old. Buy those flowers that are on sale, and cover the house with them! Light a candle and read that book, or dig out the coloring books and channel your inner child. Try that new recipe, or just buy the weird fruit you've been eyeing for three months now. Whatever your "little joys" are, embrace them. You'll be amazed at the way your week flies by when you're noticing all the good things within it, instead of the bad. All it takes is gaining some perspective and shifting your focus!

People often think that by being a Christian, you aren't allowed to have fun anymore, but I promise that's not the case! God has the best sense of humor and even told us to celebrate life! Just as there is a time for mourning, and focusing, and seriousness, there is a time for dancing (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4). There is a time for celebration and standing in awe of the ways that the Lord has blessed you, because it makes the serious moments so much sweeter.

So do it: embrace this life, embrace the messy, embrace the joy. That joy is what will lead to your passions, and in that passion, you find purpose.

Till next time...

-Emma

#passion #purpose #joy #littlethings #tuesdays

"Be fearless in pursuit of what sets your soul on fire."