Clearly, I am no Steven Spielberg but my videos were made with love and you in mind:) What's going on in your life that makes you feel a little better?
My daily joy is to watch the variety of spring and summer birds that stop by my bird feeder. So far there has been a cardinal, four gold finches, a hummingbird, blue jay, black capped chickadee, sparrows, robins, and birds I haven’t figured out what they are yet. I sit for hours watching them and marveling at the way they interact. For example the gold finches will take turns watching for other birds so they can eat safely. But they also will shoe each other away if they take too long. The proverbial pecking order. There is a peacefulness that comes with just sitting and watching.
Hi Michele, I’m so thankful for your wisdom as I journeyed. I’m healing beautifully, love people where they are at the moment, and I can love much better living in a different city. Yes, I divorced the love of my life, started dating at 15, ended a 30-year marriage five years ago, and never looked back; after that decision, my smile never faded. I find joy in disconnecting and discovering how unique & strong a person I became walking with a loved one who suffered from addiction.
My joy is present.
Note: I worked on myself and stayed in my lane for “years” before leaving. I was ready to live, smile, find peace, speak without fear, and find my voice again. All those thoughts we dump on ourselves while trying to love a person who only loves the addiction.
Beauty is loving yourself no matter where you are and finding the strength and courage to live differently alongside a person suffering from addiction or claiming a new way of life on your own.
My joy right now is my daughter graduating from high school and through all the mess of COVID and addiction, she pulled through when she needed to and got the GPA she needed to qualify for lower tuition at an out of state college. She has been my strength through so much and brings me SO much joy and I am so proud of her. And, I have to say, it is absolutely beautiful out there! We did the 17 mile drive once and I love that coast line!
My joy is my baby granddaughter who just learned to roll today and is 4 months old tomorrow. Being a grandma is such a wonderful experience. Being there for her birth was amazing.
I am blessed with a beautiful daughter who makes me laugh all the time.
I find joy in the humor of things. I love funny memes and reels.
I find joy in the sunshine. Where I live, it's winter for a long time. Summer is my favorite.
I find joy listening to music. I love laying out in the sun with some good tunes and near a body of water.
I love this post because it's really great to think about the good things in life.
To Jennifer and all. Wow. Same. Hummingbirds and goldfinches. What a joy. Same exact interests. When I am in I call a vortex. I go outside and see such re nature that I set up and cultivated. It can help put things in perspective to what makes it tick. As well May not be happening if in current back forth alcohol in out ending. Gaslighting. Which I feel more of that topic needs to be addressed. The nature of your into it brings you to a leveled place of beauty that others can and will bring to your life as well. But when we are in and out as we work. Handle homes. Not easy. No coincidence I read same interesting interests. As well as flowers. And as well as giving Back emotional and if can financial to one’s who need it. Where we may of been. As well or are in.
I agree about gaslighting. For me, this is the most painful side effect that I have to deal with and it literally judges my brain and sends me into a meltdown every time
I find joy in my children, my little dog who follows me everywhere, and the flowers blooming in my yard, and my neighbor’s yards. I walk my dog every morning and enjoy the peaceful sounds and sights of nature.
We moved into our new house in the beginning of June this year. It’s beautiful to be outdoors in the woods and see all the wildlife and bugs! We have a momma deer and her two fawns visit daily as they munch their way through the woods! We still have just clay in the yard and while I was tending to the plants that I brought with us, I met a new companion. While dead heading my plants I found a little “Peeper”. A tiny 3/4 inch frog! I call him Freddy. He sings to me while I sit and take in all of nature’s beauty!
Keeping my head focused on gratefulness. I read two really good books on this -- gratefulness in the midst of tragedy -- “Hope Heals” by Katherine and Jay Wolf, and “There’s No Cure for Being Human” by Dr. Kate Bowler. While they don’t focus on addiction (almost better that way?) they do focus on life altering situations with health that completely change the trajectory of life. I still go back on reflect on some of the writing in those books, in the midst of dealing on and off with addiction. Hope can be (and is!) in the little things.
Such a rough six months as my husband ventures through recovery. These past 6 months have nearly broken me but I can gladly say it is indeed the little, beautiful moments that have kept me sane (somewhat) and grateful for my life despite the chaos. Today I cleaned my yard for the first time in 3 years. It was so much work. But I feel so proud. I even bought flowers for the empty bed under the kitchen window. I feel stronger all the time and more confident in my ability to build a beautiful life despite the massive ups and downs of living with a recovering addict/ alcoholic. Don't give up loves!! ❤️
We have face melting heat here in southern Texas so having a pool is a must. Our above ground pool is out of commission right now so I had to order a blow up one that I could fit in, all stretched out. I fill it up, dash of bleach, lather sunscreen on, hat & sunglasses and just chill. I listen to the Circadia's, birds zooming around. While I was laying out in the pool, a butterfly landed on me. I'm thinking, wait until he finds out, I'm not a flower, lol. It was so cool just watching the butterfly so close up. Their colors are just gorgeous. That's when I tell myself, life is not that bad. I would rather enjoy the little things like this than wake up with a hangover every blessed day. Enjoy this first day of summer😎!!
Every day since my husband started using and doing things I never though he would do Its been a nightmare so not many happy times now. So instead I sit back and remember all the good times we had the first 9 years of our marriage when I trusted him and he never lied to me and I never had to wonder where or what he was doing. I cant even go to the store or my friends or work without wondering if he is doing something I wouldn't approve of. Its devastating especially when he is doing nothing wrong but I cant believe or trust him as he has lied so many times before. So I wonder will I ever be happy again?.
My joy reveals itself everyday and as the day progresses. I have things to be joyful for, absolutely yes. My wonderful adult children whom I am so proud of (all six off them), my freedom away from direct contact with addiction, my beautiful friendships whether long or short term, my ability to support myself (barely, but it’s happening :) ). But I find that joy reveals itself everyday from the very start of my day. I know 100% that it will exist although I don’t know when it will occur or how it will show, but I do know that it will. I look forward to each day becuz of the surprise of joy that the day will bring.
My daily joy is to watch the variety of spring and summer birds that stop by my bird feeder. So far there has been a cardinal, four gold finches, a hummingbird, blue jay, black capped chickadee, sparrows, robins, and birds I haven’t figured out what they are yet. I sit for hours watching them and marveling at the way they interact. For example the gold finches will take turns watching for other birds so they can eat safely. But they also will shoe each other away if they take too long. The proverbial pecking order. There is a peacefulness that comes with just sitting and watching.
Hi Michele, I’m so thankful for your wisdom as I journeyed. I’m healing beautifully, love people where they are at the moment, and I can love much better living in a different city. Yes, I divorced the love of my life, started dating at 15, ended a 30-year marriage five years ago, and never looked back; after that decision, my smile never faded. I find joy in disconnecting and discovering how unique & strong a person I became walking with a loved one who suffered from addiction.
My joy is present.
Note: I worked on myself and stayed in my lane for “years” before leaving. I was ready to live, smile, find peace, speak without fear, and find my voice again. All those thoughts we dump on ourselves while trying to love a person who only loves the addiction.
Beauty is loving yourself no matter where you are and finding the strength and courage to live differently alongside a person suffering from addiction or claiming a new way of life on your own.
I love that last sentence. That will get me through today 🙏 I’ve copied it to my phone notes too - it may get me through the week 😘
Ditto, sister! Sending love :)
My joy right now is my daughter graduating from high school and through all the mess of COVID and addiction, she pulled through when she needed to and got the GPA she needed to qualify for lower tuition at an out of state college. She has been my strength through so much and brings me SO much joy and I am so proud of her. And, I have to say, it is absolutely beautiful out there! We did the 17 mile drive once and I love that coast line!
My joy is my baby granddaughter who just learned to roll today and is 4 months old tomorrow. Being a grandma is such a wonderful experience. Being there for her birth was amazing.
I am blessed with a beautiful daughter who makes me laugh all the time.
I find joy in the humor of things. I love funny memes and reels.
I find joy in the sunshine. Where I live, it's winter for a long time. Summer is my favorite.
I find joy listening to music. I love laying out in the sun with some good tunes and near a body of water.
I love this post because it's really great to think about the good things in life.
To Jennifer and all. Wow. Same. Hummingbirds and goldfinches. What a joy. Same exact interests. When I am in I call a vortex. I go outside and see such re nature that I set up and cultivated. It can help put things in perspective to what makes it tick. As well May not be happening if in current back forth alcohol in out ending. Gaslighting. Which I feel more of that topic needs to be addressed. The nature of your into it brings you to a leveled place of beauty that others can and will bring to your life as well. But when we are in and out as we work. Handle homes. Not easy. No coincidence I read same interesting interests. As well as flowers. And as well as giving Back emotional and if can financial to one’s who need it. Where we may of been. As well or are in.
I agree about gaslighting. For me, this is the most painful side effect that I have to deal with and it literally judges my brain and sends me into a meltdown every time
I find joy in my children, my little dog who follows me everywhere, and the flowers blooming in my yard, and my neighbor’s yards. I walk my dog every morning and enjoy the peaceful sounds and sights of nature.
We moved into our new house in the beginning of June this year. It’s beautiful to be outdoors in the woods and see all the wildlife and bugs! We have a momma deer and her two fawns visit daily as they munch their way through the woods! We still have just clay in the yard and while I was tending to the plants that I brought with us, I met a new companion. While dead heading my plants I found a little “Peeper”. A tiny 3/4 inch frog! I call him Freddy. He sings to me while I sit and take in all of nature’s beauty!
Keeping my head focused on gratefulness. I read two really good books on this -- gratefulness in the midst of tragedy -- “Hope Heals” by Katherine and Jay Wolf, and “There’s No Cure for Being Human” by Dr. Kate Bowler. While they don’t focus on addiction (almost better that way?) they do focus on life altering situations with health that completely change the trajectory of life. I still go back on reflect on some of the writing in those books, in the midst of dealing on and off with addiction. Hope can be (and is!) in the little things.
Such a rough six months as my husband ventures through recovery. These past 6 months have nearly broken me but I can gladly say it is indeed the little, beautiful moments that have kept me sane (somewhat) and grateful for my life despite the chaos. Today I cleaned my yard for the first time in 3 years. It was so much work. But I feel so proud. I even bought flowers for the empty bed under the kitchen window. I feel stronger all the time and more confident in my ability to build a beautiful life despite the massive ups and downs of living with a recovering addict/ alcoholic. Don't give up loves!! ❤️
We have face melting heat here in southern Texas so having a pool is a must. Our above ground pool is out of commission right now so I had to order a blow up one that I could fit in, all stretched out. I fill it up, dash of bleach, lather sunscreen on, hat & sunglasses and just chill. I listen to the Circadia's, birds zooming around. While I was laying out in the pool, a butterfly landed on me. I'm thinking, wait until he finds out, I'm not a flower, lol. It was so cool just watching the butterfly so close up. Their colors are just gorgeous. That's when I tell myself, life is not that bad. I would rather enjoy the little things like this than wake up with a hangover every blessed day. Enjoy this first day of summer😎!!
Every day since my husband started using and doing things I never though he would do Its been a nightmare so not many happy times now. So instead I sit back and remember all the good times we had the first 9 years of our marriage when I trusted him and he never lied to me and I never had to wonder where or what he was doing. I cant even go to the store or my friends or work without wondering if he is doing something I wouldn't approve of. Its devastating especially when he is doing nothing wrong but I cant believe or trust him as he has lied so many times before. So I wonder will I ever be happy again?.
I live near the ocean and I take time to be grateful for the beauty of the coast, the birds, the marsh. It brings me so much peace.
My joy reveals itself everyday and as the day progresses. I have things to be joyful for, absolutely yes. My wonderful adult children whom I am so proud of (all six off them), my freedom away from direct contact with addiction, my beautiful friendships whether long or short term, my ability to support myself (barely, but it’s happening :) ). But I find that joy reveals itself everyday from the very start of my day. I know 100% that it will exist although I don’t know when it will occur or how it will show, but I do know that it will. I look forward to each day becuz of the surprise of joy that the day will bring.