I’m pretty sure Oprah coined the phrase “joy rising”. I remember hearing it and thinking “yes!! I like that! I UNDERSTAND that! I feel the joy rising in me!” It’s a great phrase that helps explain a very pure emotion. That for when happiness starts to fill you up to a level where you can feel it coming to a fever pitch. 

     What exactly gives you joy rising? For me? Baby kisses. I love nothing more than getting down on the floor with one of my friend’s little ones and smooching the ever loving heck out of them. And when they start smooching back?? FORGET IT! #JOYRISING 

   Or brownies from “The Bagelry” in town (especially if the very cute & friendly gentleman selling them to me raves about how especially delicious they are that day)…I’m a sucker for some good brownies & these ones are THE BEST!! #joyrising 

   But honestly, my favorite thing?? The morning birds. I love those birds that come with the springtime. They chirp and “sing sweet songs of melodies pure and true”. There is something almost Shakespearean in a way about them… “a winged messenger from heaven”. They come and visit, deliver their beautiful songs and then leave with nothing but the soft sounds of morning and the freshness of a new day. Yes, that to me, is cause for #JoyRising 

    So what does it for you?? Rather than focus on how stressed you feel, or how hectic life can be, take a minute, (or five) and find three things that give you joy rising. It’ll be the best 5 minutes of your week. Because if you can’t find joy in baby kisses, brownies and birds, then what “GOOD” is having “GOOD STUFF”?? 

** For Alex :