What Brings You Joy?

Joy. It's kind of an old-fashioned word. A bit hokey. Somewhat idealistic. Still, to me, it describes exactly what I chase everyday. My own personal joy.
And I find it.

• Eating my Kashi Autumn Wheat cereal with fresh blueberries and slivered almonds is joyful.
• Sitting in my Raspberry Red living room chair watching my kids drag (and lately crutch) their way down to breakfast, brings me joy.
• Sipping a Starbucks Latte while talking writing and books with my writing pals, brings me joy.
• Breathing in the ocean air laced with the stinging smell of seaweed brings me joy (and peace).
• Developing art lessons that will excite hundreds of sweet, freckle-faced, toothless kids brings me unmeasurable joy.
• Watching my husband's face as he tells stories to his friends and children, brings me more amusement than joy, but it's still a happy thing.
  

Lately, I've been interested in quotes. While on the airplane the other day I picked up the September issue of Oprah magazine. As I read through the myriad of articles, quotes exuding a strong happiness vibe kept on popping up. I seemed to be inspired by these lately. Quotes. Of all things.
Even while in Charlottetown, at a cute cafe called "Just Us Girls", I noticed that the walls were covered with inspiring quotes. Things like Eat Live Breathe in big, gigantic letters.
They called it wall art and they had racks of the pre-package rolls for sale. I felt a new decorating project coming on, so I got out of there fast.

My writing pal, Maggie,and I talked about finding our own joys recently. She told me about an Otto Heino, a 94 year old man from Ojai, California who seeks joy in his everyday life. She was alos inspired by a few quotes in the LA Time's article. She and I agreed that it would be fun to put a joy-inspired quote in the blog each week.

So, in honor of my first "What Brings You Joy?" installments, Maggie sent me this...

"Never hurry, never worry," he says describing his attitude toward art and life. "If you're negative you'll never make it." Otto Heino, 94, Ojai, California

Well said, Otto. I think as writers, we could all stand to learn form this. Thanks, Maggie!

If anyone else has a few joy-inspired quotes to share, please do. Ones dedicated to the craft of writing or art in general are especially welcomed.