Do You Have a Yearly Word?

 About a week ago, I had a very dear friend text me and ask if I had a word for 2022 yet. I automatically said"I'm keeping Joy as my word", but then something happened.

Today, I spent some time journaling, looking back at 2021, and setting intentions for 2022. Out of that, came a different word. The word is CLARITY. So, clarity is my "word" for 2022. 

Ultimately I decided that accomplishing the goals around that word will bring me Joy so I am keeping the #findyourjoy.

Finding Joy is deep within us. If we are cluttered then it has less room to sit inside us. I need to "clear out" some space so Joy has room to dwell. As I was journaling it became evident that when my physical, emotional, and spiritual space is cluttered, I feel off-balance and have more trouble finding joy. So, this year I am working on de-cluttering those areas of my life. 

My home- When it is cluttered, I feel cluttered. I am going to work on de-cluttering the space I live in.

My mind- I need to compartmentalize my mind and not think of everything all of the time. I am going to work on what I put in my mind at different parts of the day. Work at work, home at home etc.

My body- movement. I do ok with this but could be more consistent. I have a lot available to me to move my body. I need to make it a consistent priority.

My soul- Sometimes I feel like I need to hug my soul, and that is what I am going to do. I am going to pursue what fills my soul with goodness. 

I am in pursuit of Clarity. 

What is your word for the year?  

#findyourjoy

Joy Jar

 January 1st 202, I decided to start a Joy Jar. Each week I would put a slip of paper with the date and one joy into the jar. I did this when we would fill Mark's pill case because that has to be done on a weekly basis. What I didn't anticipate was how incredible it became when I opened those slips on New Years Eve that year. We had been through his disability hearing, the shutdown, his thyroid cancer diagnosis, getting back to school, the ongoing pandemic, and so much more. It was incredible to look back at all the joys. Even through the uncertainty of that year, I had found joy EVERY WEEK! 

For 2021 I decided I would post here every week. I'm glad i did it, but there was something about holding that slip of paper in my hand, and being able to put them all in an envelope marked with 2020 and tucking them away that I miss. So, 2022, I'm back to the Joy Jar. 

I will still post on here as finding my joy is a continuous journey that will never end and I will update you on the joy jar.

I encourage you to start your own joy jar, you won't regret it.

Here are my final joys for 2021!

1. A busy but blessed Christmas

2. Playing and singing on Christmas Eve

3. Preparing for playing and singing on New Years Eve at church

4. Quiet time spent with my hubby and kids

5. Looking back at a challenging year that had many joys as well!

#findyourjoy

Step#7- Write it Down

 It’s that simple. Write your joys down. Put them where you can see them. Then look at them. Look at them when you need them. In 2020 I did a joy jar. This year, I put them on my blog. In 2022 I think I might go the joy jar again!

Anyway, here are my joys for the week ending December 19

1. A successful choral concert

2. A wonderful massage- I need to take care of myself 

3. Yoga- I need to move every day

4. I saw Hamilton on stage 

5. Practiced the music I’m involved in on Christmas Eve- I cannot wait! 

Have a great week. Make sure you take time for yourself and as always I hope you can #findyourjoy

Step #6- Extend Grace to Yourself and Others

 It took me a couple of extra days to write this one because I am hard core struggling with this step right now. I'm not perfect at this and it's okay to admit when you are struggling.

Extending grace to yourself is really hard. It requires you to like yourself and decisions you have made. 

teaching this year has been the hardest ever. It is a combination of the restrictions, how I want to be able to have my classroom, my schedule, the students are different and I am failing miserably at engaging them because I AM EXHAUSTED! 

I feel like I am the worst teacher I have ever been and when I feel like that it is hard to extend grace to myself. I need to though. If I don't it's even harder to extend grace to others and the whole thing becomes a vicious cycle.

So, how do I break the cycle? Well, here is what I am trying:

-setting time aside for myself to do something I enjoy like:

    Having tea ( I'll write a separate post about that in a few weeks)

    Playing piano and singing

    Yoga

    Prayer and Meditation

- I also am sleeping as much as I need to. I am struggling to get up and get moving so I take a nap.

- Making and eating wholesome meals. It can be done quickly too. (I'll do a blog post about that one too)

 

It's a process so I keep working at it. While I do, here are my joys for the week ending 12/14

1. My poor colleague was ill this week. It was hard having her gone, a few days, but I want her healthy for Christmas and I survived.

2. My Christmas shopping is 95% done. Everything else can be done in town

3. I super excited about the Christmas Eve service. I'm playing a duet with our organist and it is so much fun

4. Our tree is up

5. I was able to adjudicate vocal students in Niagara County. It was amazing to listen to them, and help them along their singing journey.

Let's work on extending that grace....especially at this time of year and as always I hope you can #findyourjoy

Step#5- Speak in Love when Others Need Encouragement

 As you are striving to be an encourager to others(step#4), make sure you are not judging their decisions. Make sure you are in a good spot to encourage someone who might not do things or believe the same way you do. 

In all encouragement.... Do it in Love. Love for them. not what they did or what they believe. Do it, because you love people. 

This can be difficult sometimes... okay, a lot of the time lately, but it is so important. 

You can speak truth and encouragement and speak in love at the same time. You have to just make sure you are doing it. 

So, Speak in Love this week. You will be filled with so much love in return, it'll keep spilling out to others!

My joys for the week ending December 5th

1. It was a nice peaceful end to November.

2. I celebrated my 51st birthday on Wednesday.

3. I received so many 'Happy Birthdays" from students, it made me smile.

4. I received many warm wishes on Facebook too. It was quite emotional

5. I am loved. Since I am loved, I can spread love too.

Hope you have a great week and #findyourjoy