"One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering."

Ida Scott Taylor


Thursday, March 31, 2011

I Choose JOY


I am so excited 
about this beautiful bracelet cuff that 
I purchased from Becky's 
Etsy Shop called Farmgirl Paints.


She even customized it to exactly what I wanted.
Isn't it the cutest thing!!!


I asked her to make my cuff with the words 
 CHOOSE JOY
for a very special reason.



This is Becky's photo of the cuff from her etsy shop. 
If you click on the photo it will take you directly there.


Those two words have gotten me through
 so many sad times in my life.
I liked the thought of having these words
stamped onto a bracelet
to remind me to dance in the rain
when I'm tempted to wallow in the puddle.


We usually have two choices in most things, 
the high road or the low road.


It doesn't mean that I am just bubbly and
a jar of happiness all of the time.
Thank goodness our  
Joy doesn't depend on that!


"Happiness
 isn't the absence of problems; rather, it 
is trusting in the midst of problems."
Elizabeth B. Brown


For I do believe one must take time to grieve
 appropriately over losses etc.


But....during those times of grieving,
 I think the joy part
comes in the form of a peace that only
God can give us.




"Inside peace grows from a security
 that emanates from
 trusting the limb that holds your
nest in the middle of life's waterfalls."
Elizabeth B. Brown- book The Joy Choice


♥~♥~♥~♥


Joy comes when you trust that God
 made YOU
who YOU are for a unique why."
Elizabeth B. Brown


I'm not sure my friend 
what you might be going 
through today. 
But I can't help but feel this
 post was meant for someone else besides me.
Sometimes we need a real live friend to take our hand
and grab us up out of that puddle
and then ask us to dance in the rain with them.


Nothing makes me happier than to have a
friend over to dance in the rain with me. So please
remember the invite if you need some help.


Actually, wouldn't it be fun to have a
string of friends
dancing in the rain together and
 not caring the least 
about how crazy some people might 
think we look with all of that JOY on our faces?
I LOVE THAT IDEA!!!
(and no umbrellas allowed!)


Big Joy-filled HUGS,

14 comments:

Jennifer Richardson said...

dancing in the rain with you,
LeeAnn, and trusting the Limb
that holds my little nest
as the river feeding the waterfall
swells from heavy rainfall.
Thanks for these encouraging reminders
to choose joy.
Love the bracelet....it's so YOU!
-Jennifer

Chris Graham said...

Oh my goodness your post went straight to my heart, thank you. I needed it so much at this time in my life. I don't have someone to always understand what I am going through but God is my ever constant companion. So very thankful.
Chris

Mary said...

okay...as much as I don't like being wet I will dance with you two - and with joy! Love you guys that much!!!

Grace, Peace, and Joy

love the bracelet too...off to check out her site.

GardenOfDaisies said...

Wonderful words to live by! We could probably all find reasons to feel sad and depressed, but who wants to go through life like that? I choose joy too!!

Tricia said...

I love Becky's bracelets...you made a great selection. Thank you for your wonderful joy-filled post Lee Ann :)

~Tricia

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Dancing along with you. Beautiful quotes and the bracelet is too.

Anonymous said...

The word I chose for 2011 was CHOICE, as a reminder to myself that even if I do nothing I still have made a choice so choose carefully.

I would love to dance in the rain with all of you! Just thinking of that puts a smile on my face and joy in my heart.

Jlynn

rachel awes said...

i'm sure
that joy
is beautiful
around your
wrist &
in your step
& heart
& soul.
xox

Farmgirl Paints said...

Oh girlie what a beautiful post. You are such a sweetheart...I'll dance with you. That's the best isn't? To have someone to share your joys AND sorrows with. Such an honor to make that cuff especially for you. Love knowing you'll be wearing it and that it holds special meaning:) Have a great day.

Poetic Artist said...

Thank you for visiting my blog..So I had to come by and say hello. Your blog is wonderful and full of inspiration..I see that you found me through another blogger..She she not just wonderful..
Nice to meet you..
Wonders...of Gods blessings.
Katelen

Me and Bis said...

Glad I visited your blog today, has been very uplifting and so inspirational. I too, choose joy!!!

DJ said...

ROFL...!
Darling, you must visit my blog and read my follow-up comment.
This post has brought me JOY, and I'll be back for more.
Be Blessed, Friend ~
Love & Laughter,
DJ

Me and Bis said...

Thank you for visiting my blog...I responded there. I meant to tell you, I love the bracelet. Want the Elizabeth Brown book too, The Joy Choice.

Unknown said...

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