This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win a signed paperback copy of ONLY THE BEGINNING..
Finding the Joy
This time of year my wallet is full of lists—those crumpled up, half crossed off reminders that I still have things to do.
The best thing about lists is drawing a line through the last item. I feel entitled to celebrate by hanging out at the book store with a gingerbread latte, making fun of the titles by adding “in bed with no clothes on.”
Try it, it’s funny.
Lately though, when I peek into the vortex of disorganization that is my purse, I continually find unfinished lists and that means no gingerbread latte for me. I begin to resent all the errands, which I now call ‘things that get in the way of stuff I really want to do‘.
I love the holidays…really I do, but sometimes the work involved in putting the Merry in Christmas leaves me exhausted and more bitter than Scrooge.
With baking, mailing packages, and making sure everyone knows their line (yes singular) for the Christmas play, I roam the Shopping Malls—otherwise known as the black hole of commercialism—and my holiday mojo gets sucked away.
I drag my parcels through the parking lot, getting my coat dirty from brushing up against the salt encrusted cars. Bah humbug is right, life would be so much more enjoyable without all the fuss.
Then on Sunday, I listened while someone talked about feeling the joy.
Feeling the joy?
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How can I feel the joy when I have all of these things to do? If I don’t wrap the presents and make the cookies, who will? Like most profound moments of epiphany, their answer was simple—you feel the joy in everything you do.
One of the coolest chicks out there, Gwen Stefani, said it best, “What You Waiting For?”
And truly, why delay the happiness? I realized I have a choice. Instead of begrudging the baking and shopping, I can be thankful that I’m able to buy my groceries instead of having to depend on the food bank to feed my family. And that baking with my kids is a chance to make a memory, not another chore to be completed.
There is a tangible sense of freedom when you exercise the choice to be happy.
I’m putting off dusting/vacuuming to read Christmas books with my kids. Instead of madly decorating to make everything perfect for a family party, I’m laying out all my ornaments for my beautiful nieces to have a go at the tree.
Today, I suggest you make the choice and feel the joy. Don’t wait until everything is crossed off, because guess what—there’s always something you forgot. So sit back, get a gingerbread latte, and read How the Grinch Stole Christmas In Bed With No Clothes On.
Cheers! *holds up latte*
After a heartbreaking betrayal, Melissa Legacy shuns romance. So when her best friend joins the Lovers Oasis website and fears her fiancé will find out, Melissa agrees to meet the anonymous Romeo, prepared to explain her friend’s change of heart—then she sees him.
Failing restaurant entrepreneur, Craig Wheaton hasn’t been home since his mother’s tragic death. Now he’s back to confront his demons and stand beside his brother as best man. Dreading the reunion, he agrees to meet his avatar lover, but at the last moment he reconsiders the arrangement—until he lays eyes on her.
When Craig assumes Melissa is his online consort, she impulsively plays along, resulting in an afternoon of unexpected intimacy. But with Melissa using her friend’s identity and Craig dealing with a family fallout, is a future together impossible, or will they discover that love at first sight is Only the Beginning?
About the Author: Daphne Dubois writes contemporary romance and believes the right book at the right time can make all the difference. When she’s not putting her characters in compromising positions (ahem), she works as a registered nurse. A member of the Writer’s Federation of Nova Scotia, she lives in Eastern Canada, the most romantic place in the world.
Buy the book at Amazon.
I liked what you had to say. I shall strive to feel the joy.
Thanks for dropping by Debra!
Sounds like a good book.
This book ❤❤
I love this book!
What you talked about is very similar to Acceptance & Change along with Distracts with ACCEPTS from DBT. DBT has been very helpful. Anyways, thanks for the great lesson.
I can relate bacause I’m a “list” person too. Though it helps you to be organized and be guided, sometimes it takes away the happy flow of events. Being too focused on getting everything done and be disappointed when it’s not. It’s the Holiday! Everybody is greeting Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and I believe we should literally feel it, enjoy the season, be insouciant and just go with the flow. After all, it’s never the to-do list but the happy memories made in celebrating the holiday season that we can keep and treasure.