Finding, searching, believing JOY

The last couple of weeks, well actually three weeks i committed to working through Amanda Gores' online version of her Book the Gospel of Joy.  Well it could not come at a worse time for me, but sticking to my guns and the whole reason I joined this project was to find Joy.  And there is no better place to find joy when you are bogged down in the reality of the day to day pressures of being a mother, partner, daughter, friend and business owner.

So i took it on with both hands and gave it my best shot.  Most of my posts were delayed and out of sink with the progress of the program, yet I feel I managed to gain some great insight into how I can find more JOY!

One particular week was my favourite, where our Exercise was to:-

• Take half an hour to consciously explore your home and garden if you have one, inside and out.
  
• Pick up objects that take your fancy.  
• Actively remember the stories attached to your home and what joy they bring to your life.  
• Find ALL the things that you are grateful for within your home and then find some more.  
• Be sure to keep your Home Gratitude antennae tuned throughout the day.

The home is the place we are supposed to call our sanctuary a place were we feel safe and can enjoy the things that we find joy in.  Yet the home for me has been a constant source of frustration.  Two years ago I agreed to move in with my new partner with my two beautiful angels.  This was a decision which I gave a lot of time and thought as i wanted to make sure this was right not only for me but Landan and Ella.  I believe it has been the right thing for all of us and I am so grateful to have this opportunity to keep my house as a rental income and a building block for the children's future.


I suppose the frustration I have and I am still working through as I write this blog is that this house still feels like i have not put my touch to give me those feelings of living in my sanctuary.  This exercise gave me more insight into what i do have in my home and clarity on how i can make it my sanctuary.  Thanks Amanda!