Welcome to Wednesday Word, a weekly linkup for everyone, not just health and fitness bloggers. Each Wednesday you will have a single word prompt to write about. Let your imagination run free and share with your readers your interpretation of that word, or simply use it as inspiration for your post. Today’s word is joy….. I’d love to have you link up, and if you do, please remember to follow my six simple rules.
Joy – a feeling of great happiness
~ Merriam-Webster
Joy is a great motivator…
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we decorate, we bake, we shop, we put ourselves through great stress to get ready for the commercialism that has become “the holidays.” We plan for the perfect Christmas morning with all the fanfare of Martha Stewart and Currier and Ives rolled into one picturesque Norman Rockwell painting.
We think we’re doing all this to bring joy to our hearts and the hearts of our family, but is it necessary?
True joy doesn’t need to be planned or staged. True joy comes from the heart. It starts inside and works its way out with warm cuddly feelings that can’t be replicated:
- True joy is walking down the aisle on your wedding day to marry your best friend…
- True joy happens when your baby smiles at you for the first time…
- True joy comes from doing something nice for a complete stranger…
- True joy can be felt when a toddler giggles from deep within at something so simple as bubbles being blown their way…
- True joy comes from knowing you did the best job possible, and turning in your work on time…
- True joy is felt when you cross the finish line of a race knowing you gave it all you had to get that PR…
- True joy occurs when someone does something nice for you without being asked…
- True joy can happen when you least expect it…
- True joy makes your heart sing…
- True joy is felt when you stop, reflect, and remember why you’re really celebrating Christmas…
What brings joy into your life?
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Next Wednesday’s Word: Resolutions
Love, love, love this post!!
My children and family bring me joy.
Genuine kindness from others bring me joy.
True friendship brings me joy.
Celebrating the birth of Christ brings me joy.
Thank you! You’ve got a great list of things bringing you joy. Merry Christmas!
My animals bring me joy (even when it sounds like they’re not).
Friends, whether online or in RL.
Knowing I’ve given my all.
Good food.
Nature — especially the sound of the ocean & sunshine.
Thank you for making me think about that, because joy has seemed a bit scarce this week, but now I know it really isn’t. And happy holidays!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it (Greg Anderson)
Yes, nature – thank you! I can’t believe I failed to mention anything along those lines… I get great joy just sitting on my deck and watching the ducks play in the creek, seeing the bluebirds build nests in their birdhouses (it’s so warm here that they were doing that just last week), and all the other wildlife we see behind our house.
I love that you and I feel the same way about joy! It is the unexpected that brings me the most joy.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Ode to Joy
Indeed, it’s the unexpected things…
It is so easy to get caught up in all of the commercialism of the holidays. But you are so right – true joy doesn’t come from that stuff. My family, friends, and dogs bring me joy. So does running long distances. 🙂
Merry Christmas to you!
Meagan recently posted…Joy to You
I love that you added running long distances to your list of things that bring you joy. 🙂
[…] I’ve been crunched trying to wrap up things at work and tackle my holiday to-do list, so I’m sharing my favorite Christmas Carols–including JOY to the World!–for today’s Wednesday Word link-up. […]
Giving to others and helping others brings me joy. I need to do it more often!
Coco recently posted…Making My List
Donating my time and giving to others is something I say during the holidays every year, but then after the holidays opportunities don’t present themselves as readily, and I don’t follow-up until the next holiday season. I need to work on that this year…
Ah I love this! Just got a little tear in my eye. It’s the little things friends and family do everyday that bring joy and it’s great to remember that this time of year.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…3 Top Workouts of 2015
Thanks, Deborah! It’s definitely the little things that bring me the most joy – the least expected.
i love it when a moment of joy pops in when you least expect it! Reminds you that they magic of Christmas still exists! Merry Christmas!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…Make a joyful noise!
I like that – “reminds you that the magic of Christmas still exists!” Merry Christmas to you as well!
good food, good friends, family, pets, crossing the finish line.
Happy Holidays.
Darlene recently posted…Wednesday Word, Gift Exchanges & Giveaway Winner
Those are all things that bring joy to me as well! Happy holidays to you as well!
Great post and so timely for the holidays. I experience joy in the pursuit of my goals. I experience joy when spending time with family and sharing memorable activities with them. I’ve also been enJOYing the blogging community!
Kelli recently posted…Sports Massage as a Component of Recovery
I do enjoy the blogging community. Thanks for the reminder!
Merry Christmas, Kelli!
[…] linking this post up with Deb over at Deb Runs for her Wednesday Word! Go check her […]
Love your list. True joy = Christmas tree lights, Christmas music and family all around. 🙂
courtney @ eat pray run dc recently posted…DuClaw Beer Brownies (w/Peanut Butter!)
Your idea of true joy sounds wonderful to me as well! Merry Christmas, Courtney!
When one of my teens says “Thank you Mom” for something as simple as cooking as meal. Merry Christmas, Deb.
HoHo Runs recently posted…enJOY (My Christmas Card)
Yes, those simple acknowledgements bring so much joy!
Merry Christmas, Holly!
I popped into Wegman’s this morning after dropping Andy off for wrestling practice. I didn’t NEED anything, but we are traveling tomorrow and I wanted to treat myself to one of their outstanding raspberry donuts (I know you’re not judging!). Even at 9:00, the place was a madhouse. But there, right in the front of the produce section, was one of my oldest friends. Of course, we both have busy kids and I never get to see her often enough. Getting to give her and her husband a hug and wish them a Merry Christmas was a true, unexpected joy.
I hope that you get some joyful surprises this Christmas season, Deb, and that you enjoy every minute!
anne recently posted…Joys of the Season
What a wonderful, joyful treat for you to get to see your friend this morning! I’ve been reading horror stories about the traffic in front of Wegman’s all afternoon…
Safe travels and merry Christmas to you and your family, Anne!
Aw Love this! My girls bring me joy…seeing them play together and stick up for one other..so precious! And Yes, running brings me so much joy too! Merry Christmas!
Lauren recently posted…Spread the Running Joy
Yes, our children, no matter what age, bring us so much joy. I’ve loved having my home for Christmas! 🙂