Your thoughts become your destiny
Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.
Lao Tzu
findingJOY is about loving who you are and that can be difficult with negative, unhealthy self-thoughts. Simply choose to love yourself. Stop and think about your thoughts, your inner monologue, the speech to yourself.
Bedtime routine = happy marriage
An exceedingly long time ago, a newly divorced acquaintance told me the secret to a healthy marriage is to adopt the same bedtime and morning routines as your spouse. She had learned that lesson the hard way, divorce. I’ve never forgotten that advice. Yet I’ve not heeded it either. For here I sit hours after my husband is asleep typing away at my computer. Now that I no longer have an 8 am check-in nor a child dependent upon my waking to get to school, I find my sleep patterns are crazy erratic. I no longer have healthy bedtime “systems”, my husband’s word for “routines”.
Thoughtful gift-giving
The stress of gift-giving can kill joy. So, don’t let that happen to you this holiday season. findingJOY in gift-giving is all about being a little organized and diligent in listening and note-taking. It’s not too late to start today!
Dribble. Pass. Get Dunked.
“Mom, I need someone to help me work on my basketball skills. Meet me in the driveway. You just need to dibble and pass, and I’ll practice shooting.”
My instinct and desire is to say: “No. It’s 2 o’clock on a sunny August afternoon in Louisiana… Hot! And I don’t know how to dribble and pass. And I’ll need appropriate shoes.” All excuses because I’m ‘super-busy’ doing things that are not important. But instead, I say: “Ok. I’ll help you improve your game if all I have to do is dribble and pass.” Then I tell myself that I’ll take a 5-minute break from my writing to spend quality time with my youngest son and I meet him on the driveway in the blazing sun.
Shoveling poo for a week
The year 2020 has been a trying time for the world. Regardless of who you are, where you live, or how much money you have, you’ve been impacted. Everything from feeding your family to social isolation has caused anxiety and stress. Divorce rates are increasing, teen-suicide is at an all-time-high, mortgages are in default, and unemployment has impacted almost every household in one way or another. But I’m here to tell you that anyone can shovel poo for a while.
The ONE THING
So, who is Traci Canterbury?
As I navigate this new lifestyle, I’ve vowed to find and appreciate simple joy in everyday life in and through the things I love: art, literature, gardening, hospitality, healthy active lifestyle and travel. I have so much to say and want to get it out of my head …starting a social media feed seems a natural outlet.
Lemon. Aid.
Lemons are tart and require a particular sense of taste to enjoy eating one like one would eat an orange. Yet, when balanced with the sweet flavor of sugar lemons become refreshing and pleasing to the taste buds.
I have not fully made my batch of lemonade, but I’m slowly adding the sugar and have my glass of ice ready. As I slow down, hunt for simplicity, and bring my life into balance, I am findingJOY.
Make. Every. Day. Count
The dragonfly is symbolic for spiritual change and transformation, adaptability, self-realization and understanding the deeper meaning of life. There is nothing more perfect than the dragonfly to represent my hopes for the inspiration and content of findingJOY.
Finding Joy. Life
So, who is Traci Canterbury?
As I navigate this new lifestyle, I’ve vowed to find and appreciate simple joy in everyday life in and through the things I love: art, literature, gardening, hospitality, healthy active lifestyle and travel. I have so much to say and want to get it out of my head …starting a social media feed seems a natural outlet.