On this day 9 of self-imposed quarantine, this salad of fresh veggies (from my local farm delivery yesterday-SO grateful to Bag’d Atlanta) sparked great joy. Like you, I’ve had my share of frustrations, fear, anger and anxiety in the last week. I have been reminded of all that I don’t control. I realized quickly that I needed to choose to shift that energy as quickly as possible to feeling more centered and being intentional about my choices (how I spend my time, how much media I consume, how I homeschool my daughter, etc.).

During this time of uncertainty, I am reminded of my #choosejoy motto and I am doing my best to see and choose joy in things that used to feel insignificant and I could take for granted. Fresh apples and honey never tasted so sweet. Chewing kale uses a lot of face muscles! Riding my stationary bike while I catch up on social media makes my leg muscles tingle. Working with my co-workers reminds me of what phenomenal human beings they truly are. Singing along with thousands to the Indigo Girls FB Live show was an emotional release and inspired me to find more moments to sing each day. Snuggles with my dog are calming. Texts and phone calls to my framily keep me feeling connected. Recieving word that my daughter, Jaz, was accepted to her dream high school made me so proud of her hard work and excited for her. Planning ways to make her feel special on her 13th birthday this coming week has me tapping into my creativity. Opening the windows to hear the birds sing, feel the breeze, and watch our cats revel in all the outside sounds and smells helps me feel rooted and connected.

In the coming days and hopefully long past this time of quarantine, I will continue to observe myself and be intentional to pay attention to and choose joy in all the moments I took for granted so that this time is well spent with being reminded of the goodness of simple things that provide deep and abiding joy. Won’t you join me?