Finding Joy!

I was sitting one afternoon, here at my house and as I was knitting away on a project, my brain started to wander in different directions. One thought was, “What should we have for dinner?” and the other thought that I had was, “We should really have a bonfire

Then another thought just came to me! It really stumped me!  This is what happens when I start knitting; it seems like a hobby hazard. I put down my knitting and I had to think about it, a really long time; it actually made me think for a couple of days.

Have you ever had that problem in some sort of way?

As you are reading the second paragraph, you are probably wondering what I am  talking about. Well this topic has popped into my mind a couple of times during the last little while.....Finding your joy.

So as I Google this topic, it comes up with the results, there are the typical questions, that I see in the results, such as .....

• How do I find my joy?
• What does it mean to have joy?

Let’s look into these questions.

For the first question finding joy is simple, you can stop worry. Put self-care into your routine, surround yourself with positive people and most of all appreciate the little things in life. As for what it means to have joy, In its broadest sense, Joy means having feelings of great pleasure and happiness. (Referenced from the Google questions.)

Let’s look a little further into this and see what I can find.

I have been looking around with Google and seeing what it says about this topic, I have read little sections here and there that it could be a physical thing, or just a small thing. I have also come across different quotes from a website called www.success.com, which is a blog. 
I have a few that I like, such as ;

“Find joy in everything you choose to do. Every job, relationship, home… it’s your responsibility to love it, or change it.” —Chuck Palahniuk

As well, “Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.” —Mark Twain

 “Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow.” —Helen Keller

As I am looking through the quotes about finding joy, I thought I would see what quotes came from the Bible;

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” The Good News: Hope and joy go hand in hand. “For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” Romans 13:15

So, throughout my busy day, I find a way to take a few moments for either a self-care moment or I find some sort of crafting thing to bring me joy.

So my question to you is: What brings you joy?
 
 
 
 

 A love letter to Owen Sound

Hello Owen Sound!

I know I have been radio silent for the last 18 months due to COVID, but along with everything, and everyone we are slowly reopening our doors, and quietly saying “We are here!” I am going to try to do the same thing.

Owen Sound, I am sending you this love letter to say how wonderful it is to see our local shops starting to reopen, and receive customers back in their stores, and to start seeing our lovely restaurant s and cafes to opening as well, I was surely enjoying it, while sitting at city hall square and watching the people going in and out of the shops throughout the day.

I love this time of year, where you can just step out your door and visit one of the many beautiful scenic parks around Owen Sound, or just jump into your car and there are many different parks outside of Owen Sound, such as:

• Hibou Conservation Area
• Ainslie Woods 

We cannot forget about the many walking trails, those twists and turns, throughout our wonderful city. There is a peaceful trail along the harbour that leads you to a beautiful body of water, where you can sit and enjoy the calming lap of the waves; Georgian Bay is so peaceful and brings a sense of wonder. 

When I am able to, I love to go kayaking and see what is out there and how peaceful the water can sometimes be. Georgian Bay, you give off a secret sense of calmness when I step foot in the water, it is almost like you are taking all my problems away!

With upcoming festivals, finding a way to have covid restrictions in place, Owen Sound, the tourists that came up before will once again be back to see our lovely city.

Before COVID, my family would travel to other areas and when I would tell people that we are from Owen Sound, I would often hear  “ That is a beautiful area!” 

Whenever I come over that Highway 6 and 10 hill coming from Rockford and see the escarpment and the bay slowly coming into view, to see the bay, it just warms my heart, and it tells me that I am home again.

So I have to say, Owen Sound, with every season that changes, you have out done yourself every time!

Come and enjoy the city with me!

Written by 

Caylee Lingard