What I Learned

I spent a week “finding joy” and writing about it daily in my past entries.

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. -John 14:11.

In every joyful moment I experienced I saw divine hands, and the hands of people that have been in my life in one way or another. I had to take time to look and appreciate. It was well worth it.

…men are, that they might have joy. -John 15:25

Finding Joy Day 7

Look at me! I made a new lacy curtain out of an old shower curtain to replace the 20 year old set. There is nothing like a sense of accomplishment!

Finding Joy Day 6

Every Monday I attend a "Write Your Life Story" class. The teacher is an elderly professor who has helped create this group of 20 or so diverse individuals become a caring and open group of people. One woman, Irma, is pushed into the classroom in a wheelchair. She can only move her eyes, lips, and fingers and yet spends hours each week blowing into a tube to "write" her amazing story and reveal her strong character and intelligence. The members come from numerous countries, from Argentina, to India, etc. and share stories of war, poverty, or narrow escapes from tigers or bears. Each person and story is highly valued. I have learned to appreciate and love each individual there, no matter how different from me, because I know their story.

Finding Joy Day 5

Today at church a woman and her husband came in late and sat two seats over from me. She was someone I had never met. During the choir’s performance I was surprised that she reached over to me and tapped me saying, “You have the prettiest little face.” I was quite taken back and told her thank you for saying that. She left early and I didn’t have a chance to extend myself to her. That personal and kind act on her part was the highlight of my day and reinforced something I had taken in as truth: “We all need someone to look at us,” Milan Kundera from The Unberable Lightness of Being. I know what that encounter did for me, and I'd like to take that strangers role in my next encounter.

Accolade

A compliment can be uncomfortable.
It results in a blush.
But, I must admit, it gives me a rush.
Graciously I say, “Thank you,”
As I know I should,
Because it makes the giver feel good.
-Carol Oldham

Finding Joy Day 5

Today I taught a lesson about one of the elements of art..."form." Using a replica of my favorite sculpture done by Michaelangelo I told Carol, now officially a fifth grader, about how he believes the form is inside the marble and he just chips away until it comes out. This piece is his visual interpretation of that concept.

Carol did her own sculpture of a fish out of a bar of soap. There is such satisfaction for me in teaching. She reported that her grades in writing, speaking, and reading had gone up this year and thanked me. We have such an enjoyable interchange. Her abilities make it a pleasure to teach.

Finding Joy Day 4

Wow! We had a great evening at the West Coast Ensemble El Centro Theatre. All the components of a terrific experience were there. The cast were well rehearsed, talented, and enthusiastic about the play. The book, music, and lyrics are brilliant. I think Big is a production that might be difficult to cast, but the casting made it work. For me there was much more depth in the play than in the movie... totally satisfying!

Finding Joy Day 3

Books bring me joy. I read them, collect them, list them, and thank all the authors and illustrators for them! Today I went to the library to check out some books and what did I find but a treasure trove of children's books, (14 in all and in excellent condition) and the cost was only $3.25! Best of all, one of the books was a tremendous find...a book written by my brother-in-law titled The Enchantress of Crumbledown. I think my grandchildren will be very happy. Double joy!