I once read about a man who carried around with him a little notebook which he calls a ‘’Joy List.’’ In it he would jot down all the moments that made him smile or laugh. It was his way of cultivating a sense of happiness about being alive and enjoying his life. He learned to do this from a 13 year-old boy who was dying of lymphoma and who handed him a list of more than 100 memories of the happy moments in his life, liking camping or going to Disney World. The boy asked the man to give it to his parents when he died because he wanted his parents to remember that their son had fun moments, too, in his short life.
My own cousin kept a list of all the good things which she would like to see go on forever and ever. Think of these ideas, and consider keeping your own list of the things that give you joy in life and which you would like to see go on for all eternity. Write some words when something really good happens in your life – from seeing a hummingbird to remembering a funny joke a friend told you. Doing so makes you more aware of the wonderful things we experience daily but which we sometimes take for granted because too often we may sleepwalk through life. Doesn’t it comfort you to think of having a ‘’joy list’’ in your pocket which you can refer to when you’re feeling stressed? Try it!
What are at least two things that have given you joy in your life recently?
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