In Others' Words: Joy

"Joy is the best makeup." ~Anne Lamott, novelist & nonfiction writer

Sometimes I don't want to look in the mirror.

Well, really, sometimes I look too closely in the mirror and I get all uptight about this wrinkle and that wrinkle and that one there! and there! and there!

Sheesh. I'm surprised I don't go running through the house with a hammer and break all the mirrors.

But the angst doesn't last all that long because I've found a fool-proof way to hide wrinkles: I smile at my reflection. And then I remember that I have lots of reasons to smile. If I stop staring at all my imperfections and give myself a smile and a wave — and then walk away from that silly mirror — I see so, so many reasons for joy.

The silly otter faces (yes, otter faces!) smiling at from the card I keep on my desk. A friend sent it to me because she knows how much I love otters.
The digital picture frame I treated myself to (yep, I sure did!) that holds hundreds of memories that make me smile, smile, smile.  (Want to see my pictures?)
A snowflake I made in my daughter's kindergarten class. Yes — this brings this craft-challenged gal much, much joy!
A floor, walls, ceiling … in other words: my house. I have been blessed with someplace to call home. Warmth. Shelter.  And I don't ever want to take that for granted.
A tiny ceramic cross my daughter, Amy, made that says: Above all Love/With All Love.

When I'm staring at my reflection in the mirror? I start thinking it's all about me.

No, not at all.

 

In Your Words: Look around you … and then tell me one thing that you see that brings you joy. I'd love to hear about it.

 

photo by val-i/stockxchng.com