Where Do You Find Joy?

Where do you find joy?

It's really easy to find joy in the big and the wow parts of life, don't you think?
But can you find joy in the insignificant? Inside your head? In the everyday?

I find joy in the unfinished - an unfinished written piece, book or project (a reminder of my life's journey evolving.

I find joy in the hope that possibility brings. "Dwell in possibility"..... Emily Dickerson is a usual forethought.
I find joy in the different - design aesthetics, points of view, self-expression, etc.

I find joy lost in the doing, especially creating.

I find joy out on location - a bookstore, craft fair, nature, anyplace that sparks the creativity within.

I find joy in a suggestion, conversation or human connection.

More important, I find joy in being still and quiet, lost inside my thoughts. I find joy listening to my inner cheerleader voice rooting me on - an internal pep talk so to speak - "YES YOU CAN! KEEP GOING, YOU CAN DO IT!" - the antithesis of the negative voices that used to consume me, robbing me of my best self.

On a good day, and sometimes on a not so good day, I can even find tiny bits of joy in the midst of the plain, ordinary moments that have little or no wow factor. That's joy at it's best and when I am most thankful and happy.

How about you? Where do you find joy?

Gifted Memories

Can you guess what's in this box? 

 

Something really special that money can't buy.

It's a gift for a childhood friend. It goes without saying, her name is Patricia:)

Ready to see what's inside?  Drum roll please.

Letters, her letters to me during our college days way back when postage was 13 cents. Yes, I totally dated myself and I could care less. It was a time when long distance calling was cost prohibitive. 

During our last conversation, she told me she had little recollection of her college years. Immediately, I thought to myself, I could fix that. I can gift her her younger memories. Now that takes regifting to a whole new level:)

I kept her letters - a written account of her life, documented by her. I had a blast re-reading them, laughing and grinning through each one. If you have any record of your younger days, I'm sure you can relate. Hilarious!

It's sad that letters are no longer a part of our lives though; less intentional texting, social media exchange and email have rendered this very intentional form of correspondence obsolete. Once deleted, our very abbreviated digital correspondence disappears from our lives and lingers in the abyss of cyberspace.

But tangible letters are a joy to keep around and re-read, re-connect and re-visit. It's precious evidence of our lives much like the photos we take. 

How about you. Do you have a written account of your younger days or any part of your life?

Tea Makes Everything Better

Sometimes the smallest things make a world of difference. I'm not sure what I enjoy more, my morning cup of tea or 

or the well wishes dangling at the end of the string.

May this day bring you peace, tranquility and harmony. A few simple words can set the tone for the entire day, don't you think?  Have a great day!

A Pomegranate Lesson

I love pomegranates. They are so yummy and healthy; always a great combo. When I buy them, even though I cant wait to open it up and partake , I procrastinate.

You know how many times, I waited too long to cut it open ?

I kept saying tomorrow, tomorrow. An tomorrow never came.

And when it did, it was too late. some seeds had lost their ruby red color and some had turned brown. Why did I wait so long!

I get so bummed.  But it was totally my fault. I put it off 

instead of enjoying it right away. This is a valuable reminder to stop putting off things that I enjoy.

Did you know there is something called a Pomegranate Deseeder Tool that will speed up the process of removing all those tasty seeds and eliminate the juice splatter messiness too?

I certainly didn't know, but now that I do, I am definitely investing in one. And now that I found out the correct way to cut and de-seed a pomegranate, there will be no more excuses. From this day forward, I will enjoy my pomegranates the day I get them.

Can you relate to putting off things that you enjoy?

Life's Meaningful Remnants

I see possibility in remnants, cast offs and thrift store finds. I guess it's the creativity within me wanting to be released and used to create something special and new.

So when I saw a blue and brown plaid flannel while thrifting, I was in heaven. Although it was a shirt, my first thought was pillows.

The remnants of course were put to good use

to make cuffs for Christmas stockings

and a tie for a tree topper

That's why I find creative projects, or should I say creative journeys, so engaging. You just never know where it will take you and what the end result will be.

Remaining open to all the twists and turns, all the while, embracing perfect imperfection parallels life. Remnants represent possibility waiting to be transformed into something brand new.

How about you? Can you see possibility in your life's remnants?


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New Year, New Start, New Blog

Hello and welcome to Meaningful Remnants! I'm Joselyn and I first started blogging over at The DIY Spot (thediyspot.com) in 2009. Writing posts primarily on Do-IT-Yourself  topics became increasingly difficult as my personal evolution shifted. I realized I needed to shift my blogging voice as well; it was time for me to spread my wings and venture out. And what better time to do just that, than at the start of a new year

 Although I adore DIY and it brings me unspeakable joy, it's not all of who I am. I am also passionate about the tiny remnants of everyday life - a profound quote, a powerful lyric, an expression of gratitude and, of course, living life creatively.

And so, here I am in my new digs  –  creating a new blog – in a new year and gifting myself a new start – in a new direction. Meaningful Remnants will be the perfect home for both my creative DIY pursuits, as well as bringing attention to the small treasures and moments of everyday life that really matter.

I like to think of Meaningful Remnants as part of life's journey and invite you to take this journey along with me.