What brought you joy today?

I am really inspired by your,post. I have started a walking program with my husband and yesterday I was really struggling. I thought about your post and it triggered me to recite my "Best Intentions" mantra I wrote several years ago. "Believe, Be Strong, Give Back, Honor Others, and Celebrate." I am a stained glass mosaic artist and I put those words under the glass. Its a collection of sunflowers that hangs over my kitchen sink. Reciting that brightened my mood and I was able to finish the walk. Thank you so much for the inspiration.

A former student of mine, now in her fifties, called to tell me how much my class reshaped her. She said it opened her up to a new way of relating to the mysteries of life (I taught World Religious). I’ve been smiling all day. It reminded me of the words of a former teacher of mine, a nun, who used to enter the classroom with these words, “You are all the delight of my declining years.” Amen to that!

Sometimes my fingers seem to drop like lead on the the classical guitar fretboard, and sometimes they seem to glide like feathers. Today was one of the feather days. I'm still smiling.

Excellent book. I also read it years ago. I'm sure you'll get some new insights through your book discussion group. Enjoy!

A wonderful cup of Tim Horton's coffee with my new book discussion club. We are reading "When Bad Things Happen to Good People." The author is Rabbi Kushner.

I read it years ago but some books just need to be read more than once!

CindyC
CHrcc

I am receiving lung cancer care at Mayo for a lung nodule and follow-up at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, near my home.

Huntsman offers many free services to patients. I am seeing a Counselor and a Music Therapist. In two weeks, I will attend a Women’s Zoom Survivorship call.

These additional services have helped me. The Music Therapist asked me to create a meaningful chant and incorporate it into a simple song I could sing. My chant is, “Let this day be full of joy, gratitude, peace, and love. “ I sing this throughout the day, and any negative or stressful thoughts leave my mind, and I feel more joyful. It is incredible how this simple action can transform my mood.

My joy today is that God has given me the opportunity to be accepted at the Mayo Clinic.

I was born in a country that has socialized medicine Sweden...and I experienced first hand when my mother's cancer was neglected to the end of her days...To meet and feel the genuine professional outstanding care at Mayo clinic Urology give me so much joy happiness and hope.

Stefan Larsson

I have been spending time with my family. Instead of writing things down for them I have been going over everything with them. All of my favorite dishes we have cooked together. And even the house choirs and supplies like vacuum bags and air and water filters. My health had been bad enough for many years that I have not been able to go with my sons on off road recreation. This has given me reason to spend time with them teaching them some things instead of me just doing them. And plenty of time to tell everyone I love them. Guess we hear that when someone goes unexpectedly that survivors are sometimes not happy with the last words they had or not telling each other they love them. Not the case for me. I have sold many of my collectables and in addition to my house I am leaving a fair amount of money. My funeral arrangements were taken care of many years ago. I still can drive and do my own shopping. That is not going to last much longer though as I am on the strongest pain meds that is available and still drive. I could ride and that would give me more time to spend with family. I am really thankful that I was given the time to tell everyone how much I love them and how proud I am of them.

Great to hear!
Since my diagnosis for lms-r
I have tried to jump back in to my usual activities and kept to our planned winter getaway. This brings me joy. I also allowing myself to grieve. Hard to do the balancing act between grieving and continuing. But as we know there is "no cure for being human"

I recently retired (70). the last 6 months at work was very stressful and I was so worn down. Now, it's only been a few weeks and it's been such a big turn around. Stress has melted away. I've been riding my stationary bike every day and doing stretches. Before I was feeling too old and worn out. Now, I actually have a bounce in my step. My spirits have been lifted to new heights. I understand, everyone saying to exercise, but before I just did not have the energy to do so. Now I just feel so much better. And North thanks for coming up with this post, allows us to share our good times. Best to all.