It is the beginning of a New Year 2020 (Yeah), and the holiday season of 2019 has begun to fade into the not so distant recesses of our memories. Sometimes I think it is unfortunate how we can so easily forget and ever too quickly. Because ultimately, this is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the joy, love, and laughter we have shared with family, friends, colleagues and folks we passed by on our and their treks to commune with the annual festivities. Gifts have been exchanged, parties have been enjoyed, food has been savored, libations have flowed freely, and the sound of voices vying to share tales that will entertain all who are in earshot have been heard, and laughter has rang out from every corner of everywhere.

It is also customary that we use this as an opportunity on our life's timeline to take stock of ourselves, where we are, what we are doing, where we want to go, and what we hope to be and accomplish. And clearly or painstakingly it is also the period of resolutions for weight loss, exercise, losing bad habits, gaining new ones, etc., etc. etc. Some of us enter these days encouraged and hope-filled. Yet there are others who after all of the clamor and activity of these past few action-packed and anticipation fueled months may become deflated and even depressed. Some call it the winter blues. And more than moving forward, they look back with sadness that the season has passed away and it almost seems as if nothing special has happened.

But going into this new year and decade of 2020, I would remind myself and anyone else who needs to have their spirit revived, how to live the daily experiences of joy…..

For as much as I and we love and celebrate the joyous occasions that meet us during the course of the four annual seasons,

We don’t have to wait for Christmas to be jolly and laugh out loud,

We don’t have to reserve New Year’s Eve as the only instance to toot our horns and plant kisses on our loved ones

We don’t need bands playing and flags waving on the Fourth of July to step and prance to the rhythm of our heart and soul,

We don’t need a huge Thanksgiving turkey in the center of the table to be appreciative and generous,

We don’t have to check for Memorial Day to invite friends over for festivities, food, fellowship and fun.

And we don’t need a designated day off from work to grant ourselves time to rest, restore, and pamper.

Because although they may appear as random days on the calendar, I get to live my joy on days such as April 13th, while I’m reaping, or February 5th, while I’m planting, or September 7th while I am awaiting my harvest.

Truly God has blessed me and given me seasons to live with, to move from, to journey through, to enjoy, remember, learn, laugh, cry, love, and to heal from.

And because through the magnificence of His creation, I am afforded messages of beauty, faith, trust, and promise………… I am about the business of Living My Joy, My Happy, and My Hope in My Every Season

Hope to see you on my journey of Living My Joy while you are on your journey of living yours