BLOG 261—Find the Joy in Your Life!

“KITTING AROUND”
BLOG 261—Find the Joy in Your Life!
I hope to illuminate your life with my words.
I WANT TO INSPIRE YOU TO LIVE DIFFERENTLY OR BETTER!

*** The joy I experience in life is a marvelous thing!
*** I was hit by two trucks, but I remain happy.
*** Going through a 37-day coma–Yikes.
*** I want to help you get the most out of life before you die.
*** If you read through Facebook, see kitsummers.com/blog
*** I lived in my van for six years and visited all US national parks.
*** Beth and I were married on 2/22/22. We are both quite happy.
*** Thanks, Beth, for editing and adding to each weekly blog.
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** You will find secrets to unfold and good news!

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

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You will have many in your life who assist and teach; I hope I am helping to guide you. Coaches like myself hope to lighten the way on your path. Remember that it is up to you to generate your path toward excellence. I’m not trying to show you “the way”; I am trying to help you find “your way.” 

I HOPE TO INSPIRE YOU WITH MY WORDS
WORDS HAVE POWER! 

Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

YOU ALREADY KNOW

You already know much about what I write, and I want to remind you of these ideas and to show that my views can provide additional thoughts, along with yours, to help you. Much of what I write about is taken from my experiences; I have gone through much. I hope to spread ideas for you to live a better life. Remember, only you know what is best for you.

EVEN IF YOU START LATE, ARE UNCERTAIN,
OR ARE DIFFERENT –
YOU CAN STILL FIND SUCCESS!

Don’t forget that you are only as young
as the last time you changed your mind!
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive,
and always reach for more advancement.

VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.

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TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK — Finding Joy!
 
Always a choice–
To focus on joy and happiness.
Or concentrate on misery and sadness.
You must choose right;
you have that control.
   
Close your eyes and envision it for a moment–PURE JOY.
You might be sitting in the sun on a warm day.
You might be practicing your juggling and advancing.
Or basking in the knowledge that your grown kids are on their way to visit.
Or you have a quiet moment in the house after a chaotic week.
Joy can seem fleeting—even rare—but there are ways to get closer to pleasure daily.
 
Many people confuse joy with happiness, and although they are closely related and often co-occur, these feel-good emotions aren’t interchangeable. Happiness is an emotion that brings bursts of intense pleasure, excitement, and satisfaction. Joyfulness is a more robust, longer-term state resulting in inner peace and contentment.
   
It’s easy to confuse the emotions of joy and happiness because they are often partaken simultaneously. Yet, some nuances should be determined. Often, happiness is the emotional reaction to what is happening around you. On the other hand, joy isn’t reactionary and is often driven by internal motivations like working toward a goal or finding a purpose in life.
   
Happiness can be easily fabricated; joy comes by setting the conditions for it to appear suddenly. A good cup of tea or a funny movie can bring happiness in the morning. Joy, on the other hand, is more challenging to cultivate. It’s an ongoing strategy that takes time.
   
And yet, it’s worth finding joy because of all the health benefits you get along the way. Happiness and joy predict lower heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and a more robust immune system. Individuals with more positive emotions also have fewer ailments, including minor aches and pains. Myself, I find that I seldom get ill. 
 
FOR A BETTER LIFE,
ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING–DAILY >>
Do physical activity–Exercise.
Help others as often as possible.
Appreciate What You Have.
Connect with Positive People.
Get out to the wilderness when you can.
Savor your joyful moments, both big and small.
Always be on the lookout to discover new things.
Look for and find pleasure and joy often.
Be aware of the good in life; there is much.
Contrarily, limit any negativity.
Bring plants inside your home.
Plant a vegetable garden.
Take care of yourself, both physically and mentally.
Add some color to your home—and your world.
Walk in a forest when you can.
Strike up a conversation with others.
Give to others as you can.
Find hobbies that bring you joy.
Practice mindfulness, think!
Write your feelings down.
Set goals for progress.
   
If you’re struggling with something such as the current global pandemic, try to find something meaningful about the event. You may have realized you like spending more time with your family and don’t want to return to an office five days a week. Understanding what quarantine has taught you can make the more demanding days worthwhile.
 
What could bring you joy right now? It can be easier to attain than a lifetime of happiness. Eventually, all of those little moments will build up to create joy. You know what won’t? Superficial things, even stately homes. Be comforted with less, and you will be happier.
 
We tend to think about everything else going wrong and spin out when upset. I recommend being more intentional about remembering what you do have—even if it’s as foundational as the legs that let you stand upright. And it doesn’t have to mean starting a thankfulness journal.

Choose something you do every day, such as brushing your teeth or waiting for the tea to brew, and then use that time to reflect on what you are thankful for during that very moment. You have to remember it is not joy that makes us appreciative. It is the appreciation that makes us joyful. We often forget the good things that occur.
 
If your day is full of obligations, consider how you can carve out even 10 minutes for an activity you’re passionate about. The joy comes from what you feel vibrant about; your passion is your purpose. Finding joy in life leads you to understand why you are here and what causes your life to be sustainable, significant, and with purpose.

Do you want this joy to be with you constantly? Then you need something that excites you. Working toward a new goal that feels engaging, meaningful, and challenging—taking you out of your status quo—like taking a mile run. This will not only bring enhanced joy often, but upon succeeding at your goal, you will experience a sense of joy, the memory of which will also bring joy.
 
Our minds usually think about the past and/or plan for the future—but neither perspective will bring you joy. Finding joy can only exist now, always now. Replaying the past takes you down a bad road.
   
Focus on this moment, every moment.
 
Anticipating the future denies us the connection to reality and can cause much pain. If you can learn to live in the now, you will free yourself from pain connected to the past or future.
 
Pondering past mistakes is one thing—but it may be that you’re suffering from a trauma that requires more awareness. Negative experiences and pain from the past can create barriers to accessing joy in your future. Doing the work to overcome your barriers is hard, but it’s well worth it.
   
Are you living to please yourself or others? Are you living as you genuinely want to be? Choosing your authentic self will help you achieve joy. Joy is our organic state, but life happens, and we forget what it feels like. Joy is always there underneath those barriers. Always be on the lookout for joy.
   
Getting outdoors is crucial to finding joy; you might find that for yourself, too. Between walking through nature versus a city setting, I find that being in the wilderness, I have less anxiety, introspection, and adverse effects in general. They also experience more positive emotions and perform better on memory tasks. Get to the wilderness as much as you can.
 
That’s why I lived in my van for six years and went to most of the national parks in the US. The freedom I experienced was mind-opening and joyful. My happiness and joy were evident.
   
And, where Beth and I currently live, there is wilderness right out the back door, which makes me quite happy.  Happy and laughing, I am, often. When someone around you is laughing, there’s a 90% chance it’ll also bring a smile to your face.
   
Please keep in mind that laughter is contagious, and so is joy. Aside from being a prominent fun form, a good laugh out loud has many health benefits. When we laugh, we release endorphins that offer natural pain relief. Laughter also reduces stress and boosts our immune system.
   
So, get out there, experience nature, laugh, and get the most out of your life. 

WHAT NEW STORIES ARE YOU READY TO WRITE? 

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WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! 

Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have a unique ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thoughts. They are so interesting, challenging, and essential on our path to joy, happiness, and finding ways to inspire ourselves and others. 

THE BURST! 

Inspirational quotes and ideas give us a quick and timely burst of wisdom to get our focus back, offering the inspiration needed for the day or occasion.

BE POSITIVE!

Just as positive words can make someone smile, and a well-timed amusing quote can make someone laugh, your thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control! You have complete control over only one thing in the universe — Your Thinking —and that’s where motivational quotes come in!

“YOU”

How you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible, determines everything in your life, and it all derives from your quality of thinking. Use quotes to move ahead in your life. 

SELF-TALK IS SO ESSENTIAL—THINK RIGHT!     

To stay motivated, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—it is next to impossible. But you can do it! Motivational words, yes, are just words. But they are positive words; they will keep you on track.

BE POSITIVE!

Positive and inspiring quotes are like beams of sunshine on a cloudy day. They inject optimism into our thoughts, brighten our mood,  and help us focus on the good in life. They remind us that even in the face of adversity, we can see the silver lining and embrace a positive attitude. 

PEARLS OF WISDOM

In a world filled with challenges and indecisiveness, the power of inspirational quotes cannot be exaggerated. These pearls of wisdom uniquely uplift our spirits, can spark positive change, and fuel our motivation often when we need it most.
   
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS ADD TO YOUR LIFE >> 

1. “We cannot cure the world of sorrows,
   but we can choose to live in joy.”
   —Joseph Campbell
    
   2. “Find joy in everything you choose to do.
   Every job, relationship, home…
   it’s your responsibility to love or change it.”
   —Chuck Palahniuk
    
   3. “The soul’s joy lies in doing.”
   —Percy Bysshe Shelley
    
   4. “If you carry joy in your heart,
   you can heal any moment.”
   —Carlos Santana
    
   5. “Let your joy be in your journey—not in some distant goal.”
   —Tim Cook
      
   6. “The joy that isn’t shared dies young.”
   —Anne Sexton
    
   7. “There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.”
   —Khalil Gibran
      
   8. “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,
   but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
   —Nhat Hanh
    
   9. “We must embrace obstacles to reach the next stage of joy.”
   —Goldie Hawn
    
   10. “Grief can take care of itself,
   but to get the full value of a joy,
   you must have somebody to divide it with.”
   —Mark Twain
      
   11. “Just follow your joy. Always.
   If you do that, life will take you on the course it’s meant to take you.”
   —Jonathan Groff
      
   12. “The more the heart is sated with joy,
   the more it becomes insatiable.”
   —Gabrielle Roy
      
   13. “Joy is increased by spreading it to others.”
   —Robert Murray McCheyne
      
   14. “Joy is the holy fire that keeps our
   purpose warm and our intelligence aglow.”
   —Helen Keller
      
   15. “Joy lies in the fight,
   the attempt,
   the suffering involved,
   not in the victory itself.”
   —Mahatma Gandhi
        

WHEN YOU IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR THINKING,
YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE’S DIFFERENTIA—SOMETIMES INSTANTLY!
COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

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MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
It seems like time is going by faster and faster.
Do you keep track of what you do each day?
Keep track for a few weeks; you will see your time differently.
You must live joyfully, daily, for every day.
The quality of your life depends on what you do each day.
   
2/24–Kit in the kitchen today.
Brewed up a batch of my Summers Salsa and my favorite Kit’s Fried Rice.
If you haven’t yet, you must make some.
   
How to make Summers’ Salsa:
Use a can of corn.
One can of black beans (or a can of mixed beans.)
One can of sliced peaches or three fresh peaches.
One bunch of coriander (also known as cilantro.)
One 20-centimeter (8 inches) square of Roma tomatoes–
This is about 15 tomatoes (same as plum tomatoes.)
One large onion.
One lemon.
One lime.
Four cloves of garlic, minced.
Chili powder–one spoon.
Garlic salt–one spoon.
Honey–two spoons.
One or more jalapeno peppers (depending on the heat level you desire.)
   
Use a food processor to chop the tomatoes into small bits, about 1 or 2 centimeters (quarter-inch squares).  Peel the outside of the onion, cut it into quarters, and put these in the food processor; chop so they are about the same size as the tomatoes.  Drain the can of peaches, put them into the food processor, chop them the same size as the tomatoes, and add them to the bowl. Drain the cans of corn and beans, add them to the bowl.   Hand chop the coriander into small bits (about the same size as tomatoes) and add this.  Squeeze the juice of the lemon and the lime into the bowl, and add some pulp if desired.  Add the chili powder, garlic salt, and honey.  In the food processor, chop one or more Jalapeno peppers into tiny bits and then add them.  Mix all of these ingredients well and enjoy your fresh salsa.
   
For spicy hot salsa, leave out the honey and peaches, add more jalapeno, and add habanero peppers for the heat you are looking for.
 
Have you seen >>
Summerssalsa.com
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Fried Rice >>
4 cups cooked rice.
4 green onions.
1 cup chopped onions.
3 large eggs.
2 garlic cloves, minced.
3 tablespoons soy sauce.
1 teaspoon sesame oil.
1 cup diced carrots.
1/2 cup red pepper.
salt and pepper to taste.
1 or 2 cups of chicken or shrimp.
Olive oil to stir fry.

Cook everything separately, then mix and fry it together.
You will love the taste.
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2/25 It’s Good to be planting seeds today. I put Jerusalem Artichokes, Cilantro, Lettuce, Broccoli, Carrots, Zucchini, and Amaranth in the ground.

Still to be planted >> Strawberries, Raspberries, Cucumber, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Cabbage, Green Beans, and Peas.
 
I want to be able to feed Beth and me through growing our food. Also, I am saving water; we will use this to clean things and ourselves, to water plants, and, after filtering and cleaning, to be able to drink the rainwater.
 
Have you been able to start your garden yet?
 
2/26–I am off to Costco and the dentist today. Dr. Cook takes excellent care of my teeth. If you are in the Augusta, GA, area, he can take great care of your teeth, too.
https://mapbt.com/locations/goldencamp/
   
There was a Cardinal at the bird feeder today.
These are magnificent-looking birds.
We still have some baby bunnies we care for until they are sold.
 
2/27–Beth is currently away house-sitting. Strange to be here alone, Beth and I have been together almost every moment.
   
One of the things I did was work on this blog.
   
2/28–MY BIRTHDAY TODAY!
Yeah, happy birthday to me.
 
Beth will return home this afternoon, and I look forward to her return.
 
Plants are raising their heads above the ground; good to see.
 
My back is hurting so much today.
I must have broken some ribs recently.
 
We are getting solar panels for the electricity.
Leon was just here to take photos.
Of course, I taught him to juggle; he loved his new skill.
     
2/29–The 29th of February is a day that occurs every four years. I would still be very young if I had been born on the 29th. But, much of age is a mindset. You are as young as you think and how you act.
   
The 29th is added to the calendar in leap years as a corrective measure because the Earth does not orbit the Sun in precisely 365 days. Since about the 15th century, this extra day has been 29 February, but when the Julian calendar was introduced, the leap day was handled differently in two respects.
   
Did you know that February is usually the shortest month of the year? But in 1712, Sweden extended the month to February 30 days. This calendrical anomaly occurred as the country awkwardly shifted between the Julian and Gregorian calendars, which had about a 10-day gap between them.
   
Pope Gregory XIII introduced the latter calendar in 1582 to fix significant discrepancies between the solar year and the calendar date incurred by the Julian calendar. Nations worldwide slowly adopted the new calendar, and Sweden finally opted to do so in 1700. What day is it?
   
I wrote about Ken before. Ken buys huge tree trunks and cuts them down to make boards such as 2x4s. He has scrap wood often that he does not need. I went today and obtained my entire van full of wood.
   
Later, I will work with Terry, our next-door neighbor, to cut the wood down further into a size that will fit into the fireplace. Yes, it’s free wood, but it’s a lot of work to process. I got a big sliver, which I pulled out immediately, but it still hurts greatly.
   
Planted the rest of the vegetable seeds today, many.
We will be eating well with what is in the ground.
Have you started your garden yet?
   
3/1–Sleep is difficult for me. Up about 2am once again.
   
In the garden, lettuce is popping its head above the ground. I planted the lettuce last week.
 
Beth is still taking care of the animals while the owners are away.
They have three large dogs, some chickens, and one cat, who she is babysitting.
She likes how quiet and away it is.

I am here taking care of our animals.
We will be getting cockatiel to be a friend of the one we have currently.
Jemma stayed on the bed most of the morning. I guess missing Beth, I checked on her a couple of times.
   
****************** YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK 
Smile almost every day this week.
Then, make a habit of always bringing on a smile!

THIS IS YOUR LIFE — MAKE YOUR LEGACY HAPPEN!
DO SOMETHING NEW–DAILY,
THEN, KEEP DOING IT FOR THE REST OF  YOUR LIFE.  

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NEXT BLOG >>
I will cover more on joy and happiness.
Something we can all obtain, do you? 

AND WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING FOR YOUR UPCOMING WEEK?

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