Christmas is less than a month away – but today, I celebrated my birthday. I had a great time today. I woke up feeling a tad blue. I was missing my hubby David – who is across the seas working. But everyone really rallied around me and I felt very loved and supported today. I feel so extremely and utterly blessed.

I love you all, friends and family.

I have decided that instead of waiting for the New Years to choose my one little word for the year… I am going to choose it on my birthday. Last year, my one little word for the year was Happy – which I soon changed to Joy. Joy is what we should strive for. Happy is a temporary feeling. Happiness is external. Joyfulness is internal.  Looking for the joy in every situation is the key to living a positive journey.

From Psychology Today – Joy comes when you make peace with who you are, where you are, why you are, and who you are not with. When you need nothing more than your truth and the love of a good God to bring peace, then you have settled into the abiding joy that is not rocked by relationships. It’s not rocked by anything.

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

This has been a year full of trials of various kinds. I did not realize that any of what I went through this year was going to happen, when I chose my one little word. As I sit here tonight reflecting on becoming another year older – I can see how choosing the word Joy was meant to teach me – A lesson about learning to let go… a lesson about patience, a lesson about having faith. A lesson about not letting life circumstances rock my boat. A lesson about being steadfast and standing firm.

Trust me – there were a lot of times this year – when the farthest thing I wanted to do was to count it ALL JOY. I shed big crocodile tears. I have been hurt. I had relationships and friendships end. I lost my mom to cancer. I struggled with depression and anxiety. I have felt exhausted, completely overwhelmed and done for – but through it all – there was a deep underlying sense that everything was going to be OK!! I had to learn Joyful – to be full of joy.

And right now – I don’t know what tomorrow brings – I may cry.  I may smile. I may be sad. I may be angry. But I have joy – down deep in my heart.

And I can still sing – Joy to the World – the Lord has come – let earth receive her King. 

Next years one little word? I think I’m going to focus on Courageous. 

Just wanted to share that.

I had an awesome birthday today.

Birthday presents from the hubby waiting for me on the front porch.

Birthday cards from a couple of fellow Stampin’ Up demonstrators

Love you all

Joyfully remaining

Positively, Debbie.