A baby deer born in our front yard right up near our house gives me such joy. Finding glimmers of light in the natural world with its reassuring rhythms of gain and loss is a steadying metric and a delight.
Needed this today, Jane. Kiese’s swimming and ‘wow shit’ made me smile as did Martha Beck and everyone quoted. Bookmarked to check out Telepathy Tapes & The Body is a Doorway). As for my joy, it’s having both my daughters with me this week in Barcelona (youngest age 30 lives in Paris; oldest who is 32 lives a 15 min walk away from me). We swim in the Mediterranean every day. We laugh and hug a lot and are each other’s best & most loving champions, always. After months of recovering from my low back injury, splashing with them in the sea is a joy I had hoped for all those months ago.
Amy, how beautiful!! I'm so very happy for you! I know this has been a difficult time. If you listen to/read either of those, I'll be curious to hear what you think!
Hi Jane, thanks for the recommendations (I've now heard of The Telepathy Tapes twice--once from you, once from a friend). What brings me joy is how my kids are astounded at the most inane things, and they remind me to pause and enjoy the simple things in life. Today it was watching a daddy long legs spider in our garage move toward a dead bug caught in its web.
I, too, loved “My Body Is a Doorway,” and had similar responses of recognition and appreciation. It’s no small feat to find words for such elusive, ephemeral, sensory truths.
So glad it arrived at the right moment! Big hug back at you! I was just thinking of you the other day....I ordered more orange blossom Dropps and they smell different, I think?? Also: wondering if you got your tattoo?
My friend, I swear to G I think of you *every* time I do laundry! :) It's funny you mention the Dropps pods...I don't notice a different smell, but I do think it's lighter? I always loved that my laundry wasn't heavily scented, but now it's like not at all??
And I did get the tattoo! I'll email you a pic - it's been almost a year...got it on what would have been my 9th wedding anniversary. Felt like a beautiful reclaiming!
Thank you for sharing these joyful insights! I just picked up this trio at the library to help me right now: The Comfort Book - Matt Haig, Gratitude - Oliver Sacks, Grief is for People - Sloane Crosley.
Jane, right now is bringing me joy. I have begun my day with the birds chirping, a cup of coffee in my special mug and your post this morning in Substack which wrapped me in comfort. Thank you. Enjoy this gift of today.
The only things that bring me joy these days (and have brought me joy for the past few months) are my German practice materials, and as usual, my paintings (About my paintings, it's a different case. They've brought me joy for a few years now). Where are these? They're in my rooms.
Two weeks ago I had a tumor removed from my chest, and with it went a lifetime of buried trauma. I am unburdened. I find joy in this body that carries me through the wonders and the worries of the world. The body that lets me love and be loved in all the ways. I breathe more deeply. I see more clearly. I feel more lovingly. Joy. It's there, always. I'll not overlook it.
i just adopted a rescue pug, Joey. he is seven years old and a delight. "Joey the Joy Pug" i call him. it has been several years since my last pug died and i missed him, and having a dog, but knew i needed to wait until i could be home most of the day. nothing keeps one present to the moment like a pooch family member. ya have to take them outside to walk and pee and poop.
thanks for sharing what brings others JOY. and what the other Beyonders are contributing. i love the variety. a tapestry of joy. what is needed in this shattering world...
Oooooh, yay for Joey the Joy Pug!! And I love that you adopted an older-ish dog!! Yes, they do keep us present (cats, as well!). Glad you enjoyed today's newsletter. We definitely need all the joy we can get! xx
Baking brownies with my grand nugget this week, and laughing over playing Old Maid and Go Fish. She is 13 now, and still asks to do this with me. Am I not the luckiest Mimi in the world? Also, our 5 month old Aussie pup must have her water 💦 aerobics daily, aka, running through the sprinklers and hose turned on full blast! 😂Thank you for your book recommendation, and I too have listened to that podcast. It certainly makes housework “easier” to listen to something enriching. Here’s to more “wow shit!” Love that. Hand in hand, Heart to heart we go. 💜
Oh, Joanie, how lovely that all sounds! Those moments truly are life. It's so easy to distract ourselves from them with (legitimate!) worry and fear. But whenever I let myself sink in, life feels beautiful! Yes to more Wow Shit! 💜
I got a tank top I ordered in the mail yesterday. It features a cartoon possum on its hind legs opening its arms wide. Is it trying to make itself BIG, like they say to do when confronting a bear? Is it reaching out for a hug? Unclear. But it reads "The horrors persist but so do I". It brings me incredible joy. Here's a pic:
We had a new addition to the family. Our granddaughter was born on Tuesday. That has dominated the "headlines" for us.
Ooooh, David, that’s wonderful!! Congratulations! ♥️
Congratulations, David. 🎉Grand nuggets bring SO much joy, I know ours do.
A baby deer born in our front yard right up near our house gives me such joy. Finding glimmers of light in the natural world with its reassuring rhythms of gain and loss is a steadying metric and a delight.
Beautiful, Catherine. And what a gift!!
Needed this today, Jane. Kiese’s swimming and ‘wow shit’ made me smile as did Martha Beck and everyone quoted. Bookmarked to check out Telepathy Tapes & The Body is a Doorway). As for my joy, it’s having both my daughters with me this week in Barcelona (youngest age 30 lives in Paris; oldest who is 32 lives a 15 min walk away from me). We swim in the Mediterranean every day. We laugh and hug a lot and are each other’s best & most loving champions, always. After months of recovering from my low back injury, splashing with them in the sea is a joy I had hoped for all those months ago.
Amy, how beautiful!! I'm so very happy for you! I know this has been a difficult time. If you listen to/read either of those, I'll be curious to hear what you think!
Hi Jane, thanks for the recommendations (I've now heard of The Telepathy Tapes twice--once from you, once from a friend). What brings me joy is how my kids are astounded at the most inane things, and they remind me to pause and enjoy the simple things in life. Today it was watching a daddy long legs spider in our garage move toward a dead bug caught in its web.
Ooooh, Jeannine, I love that so so so much!! Smart kids!! If you listen to The Telepathy Tapes, I'll be curious to hear what you think!
Wonderful! We all need reminding these days!
Indeed! Glad you enjoyed them!
I, too, loved “My Body Is a Doorway,” and had similar responses of recognition and appreciation. It’s no small feat to find words for such elusive, ephemeral, sensory truths.
Julie!! That book!!!! It changes you, right? So happy you also found it!
I also listened and agree her narration adds to the experience.
Needed this so much right now, Jane. Big hug to you across the miles! 😘
So glad it arrived at the right moment! Big hug back at you! I was just thinking of you the other day....I ordered more orange blossom Dropps and they smell different, I think?? Also: wondering if you got your tattoo?
My friend, I swear to G I think of you *every* time I do laundry! :) It's funny you mention the Dropps pods...I don't notice a different smell, but I do think it's lighter? I always loved that my laundry wasn't heavily scented, but now it's like not at all??
And I did get the tattoo! I'll email you a pic - it's been almost a year...got it on what would have been my 9th wedding anniversary. Felt like a beautiful reclaiming!
Thank you for sharing these joyful insights! I just picked up this trio at the library to help me right now: The Comfort Book - Matt Haig, Gratitude - Oliver Sacks, Grief is for People - Sloane Crosley.
Ooooooh, those sound perfect!! Enjoy!
Jane, right now is bringing me joy. I have begun my day with the birds chirping, a cup of coffee in my special mug and your post this morning in Substack which wrapped me in comfort. Thank you. Enjoy this gift of today.
Ooooh, that's beautiful, Mary!! So happy to be a part of it!! ♥️ There is no comfort or joy quite like bird song!
How lovely it is to awaken each morning to the gentle chorus of birdsong,
a natural symphony that stirs my soul.
Their melodies weave through the quiet dawn,
uplifting my spirit, filling my heart
with peace and a quiet hope.
In these simple, fleeting moments,
I find the strength
to greet the day with grace,
with gratitude,
and with joy.
~ Spirit of a Hippie
Yes!
The only things that bring me joy these days (and have brought me joy for the past few months) are my German practice materials, and as usual, my paintings (About my paintings, it's a different case. They've brought me joy for a few years now). Where are these? They're in my rooms.
Yes, your beautiful paintings! Are German practice materials materials you use to learn the German language??
Yes, they are. I use them for learning German grammar, vocabulary and all four skills.
P. S.: I also use Microsoft Copilot and YouTube to learn more about subtle differences between grammar structures.
Two weeks ago I had a tumor removed from my chest, and with it went a lifetime of buried trauma. I am unburdened. I find joy in this body that carries me through the wonders and the worries of the world. The body that lets me love and be loved in all the ways. I breathe more deeply. I see more clearly. I feel more lovingly. Joy. It's there, always. I'll not overlook it.
Kim! What wonderful, wonderful news! I'm so happy for you!! Enjoy the joy!! xx
My brother and his girlfriend had a baby a few weeks ago, and I get to meet her next week!
Oh, Holly, that's so very exciting!!! Yay! My niece and her husband had a baby in March and it's the most wonderful thing ever!! I'm happy for you!
i just adopted a rescue pug, Joey. he is seven years old and a delight. "Joey the Joy Pug" i call him. it has been several years since my last pug died and i missed him, and having a dog, but knew i needed to wait until i could be home most of the day. nothing keeps one present to the moment like a pooch family member. ya have to take them outside to walk and pee and poop.
thanks for sharing what brings others JOY. and what the other Beyonders are contributing. i love the variety. a tapestry of joy. what is needed in this shattering world...
Oooooh, yay for Joey the Joy Pug!! And I love that you adopted an older-ish dog!! Yes, they do keep us present (cats, as well!). Glad you enjoyed today's newsletter. We definitely need all the joy we can get! xx
Baking brownies with my grand nugget this week, and laughing over playing Old Maid and Go Fish. She is 13 now, and still asks to do this with me. Am I not the luckiest Mimi in the world? Also, our 5 month old Aussie pup must have her water 💦 aerobics daily, aka, running through the sprinklers and hose turned on full blast! 😂Thank you for your book recommendation, and I too have listened to that podcast. It certainly makes housework “easier” to listen to something enriching. Here’s to more “wow shit!” Love that. Hand in hand, Heart to heart we go. 💜
Oh, Joanie, how lovely that all sounds! Those moments truly are life. It's so easy to distract ourselves from them with (legitimate!) worry and fear. But whenever I let myself sink in, life feels beautiful! Yes to more Wow Shit! 💜
I got a tank top I ordered in the mail yesterday. It features a cartoon possum on its hind legs opening its arms wide. Is it trying to make itself BIG, like they say to do when confronting a bear? Is it reaching out for a hug? Unclear. But it reads "The horrors persist but so do I". It brings me incredible joy. Here's a pic:
https://substack.com/@ashasanaker/note/c-131522794
OMG! I love that so much! It's now bringing me joy, as well! Thank you!