Make Space for JOY

When you think of the end-of-year holidays, certain qualities are emphasized over and over again. Peace, hope, love and joy are the main ones that come to mind. This season I’ve chosen JOY as the quality to keep an eye out for. I’ve seen

-the delightful response when someone opens a gift
-smiles as people see a million twinkling lights
-hugs and tears when greeting family and friends we haven’t seen in a while

I have a question for you: What qualities express the end-of-year holidays for you? Choose one of those qualities and pay attention to where you see it expressed around you. What do you see? 

Here are some quotes on joy that have been inspiring me this holiday season:

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” – Henri J.M. Nouwen

“Joy in looking and comprehending is nature’s most beautiful gift.” – Albert Einstein

“Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.” – Marianne Williamson

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – Robert Brault

“Gratitude is the gateway to joy.” – Brené Brown

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river of joy within you.” – Rumi

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

“Think joy, talk joy, practice joy, share joy, saturate your mind with joy, and you will have the time of your life today and every day all your life.” – Norman Vincent Peale