My husband Dave was suffering from a bad back so, he was buzzing around on a scooter in front of us, creating skid marks as if he was on a mountain bike. The sun was shining, the swans and ducks were playing in the ponds around us. Families were walking, feeding ducks or just sitting on benches. Mmmm.....Joy.
It seems so simple, and it is. I know what brings me joy now and I try and make a point of putting myself in a situation to experience it as often as possible. Many of my values can bring me joy.
Faith
Family
Nature
Adventure
Connection
Fairness
Acknowledgment
Stewardship
Servant Leadership
I feel closer to God when I am in nature. It is like I am participating in one of His great pieces of art. It's almost as if I am walking through a painting like the characters in Mary Poppins do. I am learning new things when I am seeing something for the first time, and traveling is ALWAYS an adventure. Before my daughter moved to Europe, we used to walk arm in arm or hand in hand through parking lots, Walmart or where ever. When I have an opportunity now to connect with her, laugh with her, explore new things with her, I am fulfilling the values of family, connection, and adventure.
Sitting in the middle of Old Town Square in Prague drinking a latte with my husband brings me joy. Hiking up to the top of a castle and overlooking the city, walking through the park behind my daughter's school where peacocks roam, having dinner with her lovely friends, walking arm in arm with our French and Slovak daughters, watching the three girls laugh together, this all brings me joy.
I don't always have to travel to fulfill my values. Honestly, I have a hard time leaving every time I do. My staff, friends, family, dogs, and communities bring me joy. I love watching how God is working in the lives of people I care about. I feel so connected to our staff that when they are struggling, I hurt. When they are thriving, growing and experiencing joy, I experience joy. I get to use our business as a vehicle (no pun intended) to help and acknowledge deserving people and organizations. In my role as a coach, I get to connect, encourage, and acknowledge my clients as well as learn from them and pray with them.
When my oldest son utilizes his creativity to create a yummy mouth water dish, that brings me joy. When I attend a show my youngest son is singing in, that brings me joy. My dog, well, that verges on obsession. From the day he came into our lives, he has brought us so much joy. Our communities lift my spirits. There are so many people who serve others, by giving of their time, talent and treasures. And to top it all off, we live in an absolutely beautiful place.
Don't get me wrong, life is far from perfect. There are days, even weeks that I have to consciously search for joy. However, I KNOW I can turn things around because I have identified what is most important in my life and have chosen to base my time, my work and my life in search of fulfilling my values.
#values #vision #joy
