Christmas is here, and with it a myriad of memories, feelings, and images. 2020 and 2021 have magnified the importance of the people in our lives, and also our connection to our greater humanity. When I think of words that are most evocative of Christmas for me, JOY tops the list.

There is definitely a heightened feeling of love and goodwill at this time of year. It gives me joy to see people take a little rest from the regular routines, worries, and burdens of every day life. There are not nearly enough celebrations in our lives, and particularly lately. Life is something we should be enjoying too, not constantly “slaving at”.

I think of joy is a life keyword, an evaluator of the world around me. I’m feeling that if our world was better balanced and society fairer, we’d be seeing a lot more joy on an every day basis.

This is something for all of us to contemplate for the new year 2022 just ahead. How will we claim and live our joy? And not just our joy, but all of the positive aspects of life that we deserve. These are our lives, and they are precious.

I realize that many people reading this do not celebrate Christmas. Take a moment to think of your own culture’s sacred traditions and celebrations. What one word is evocative of how you feel as you share those celebrations with family and friends? If you would like to share in the comments, I would love to hear from you.

I send you heartfelt best wishes for all the joy and blessing your hearts can hold (and more) in 2022.

I have a Christmas gift for you. It’s a free download of my ebook Our Beautiful Earth. (You get 3 versions, EPUB, MOBI, and PDF formats.) This offer will only be for a couple of days, so scoop it up while you can.

Claim Your Joy © Susan L Hart 2021 HartInspirations.com / Friendly comments welcome

This morning as we drink coffee, my partner corresponds with a good friend of ours who is halfway around the world in Thailand. Our day is beginning; hers is coming to a close. How wonderful is it that we can communicate with our friends around the world?

I ask how she is. “A little sad, I think”, was the reply. I am reminded of how many people are struggling with “a little sad” (or even more than that) these days. I hope that his words helped her to find some solace, some comfort as she reflects on her day, life in general, and the fact that she has good friends halfway around the world who care.

My memories of Thailand in and of themselves bring me some solace, in a time when world travel has become so difficult. (Nothing should be this hard! Our world is way out of balance.) Of course, travel memories are just one example of solace for me.

What brings you solace and comfort, when these turbulent times get you down?

Inspirational Quotes:

“My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary.” ~ Martin Luther

“A library is a good place to go when you feel unhappy, for there, in a book, you may find encouragement and comfort. A library is a good place to go when you feel bewildered or undecided, for there, in a book, you may have your question answered. Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people – people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book.” ~ E..B. White

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” ~ Anne Frank

© Susan L Hart 2021 HartInspirations.com / Friendly comments welcome