What Brings Us Joy?
During the first ever Baja 4 Online Sunday Service it was said we will meet many things on this global journey into COVID-19. In addition to our fear, grief, and regret, he said, "There will be moments rich, outrageous, yummy, gleeful, blissful, inspiring, super-cool" (and vivacious, added Rev. Bethany) of joy.
(image by Bert Meek , UUCT)
(image by Bert Meek , UUCT)
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Our BUU congregation needs to hear from you about your joy in this time of social distancing. Whether is it is small or GRAND, it doesn't matter. We want to hear what inspires your heart, exhilarates your mind, carries your body, and lifts your spirit.
Take some time to contemplate and meditate on what brings you joy, then fill out the survey below. As each shares a joy, so we deepen our connections and community.
Take some time to contemplate and meditate on what brings you joy, then fill out the survey below. As each shares a joy, so we deepen our connections and community.
"I have been re-reading back through these Joys because I needed a little lift in my spirits today. I certainly found a lot of beauty in the pictures, warm fuzzies in the comments & poems and am grateful to all who shared.
I’d like to add another joy. I was kind of having BUU withdrawals & had to go collect some paperwork at the office on Monday. I sat out in the meditation garden and so enjoyed the sights & sounds. Thought perhaps some of you might enjoy these pictures I took.
Our garden helpers have done a terrific job of cleaning the beds & there are some beautiful flowers all around. My gratitude to the helpers & to Jim Hoy for his vision and the endless hours he has expended."
- Martha House
I’d like to add another joy. I was kind of having BUU withdrawals & had to go collect some paperwork at the office on Monday. I sat out in the meditation garden and so enjoyed the sights & sounds. Thought perhaps some of you might enjoy these pictures I took.
Our garden helpers have done a terrific job of cleaning the beds & there are some beautiful flowers all around. My gratitude to the helpers & to Jim Hoy for his vision and the endless hours he has expended."
- Martha House
"Even though I’m not a member of Borderlands UU in person, I feel I am a member in spirt after my many years there. I find my joy in seeing a Harris Hawk on my morning walk.. I have joy when I can do FaceTime with my great grandchildren. I found joy yesterday at the store when I found my favorite yogurt. Simple things are my joy now, and I hope to continue remembering that way of finding JOY." - Sandy Mills
My favorite joy is my wealth of the most beautiful friends of my life.
Namasté, Marcia Weary
Namasté, Marcia Weary
Having a sack lunch at Desert Meadows Park. I do that twice a week with a friend; the picnic tables are far enough apart. It's good to get outside, see beautiful plants, send time with a good friend. It's a very special garden."
- Ann Rangos
- Ann Rangos
"What a joy to see a large pot on my patio overflowing with flowers - lemon-yellow violas, purple pansies and white alyssum. Counting the multitude of tiny alyssum flowers, I would guess there are at least 2000 flowers basking in the sun and filling my heart with gladness."
- Loretta Carmickle
- Loretta Carmickle
"Where I Find Joy"
by Susan Kirk
(I wrote this several years ago, still all true, especially now.)
Between the branches of an old tree
where the sun shines through the fresh new Spring leaves.
In a soft, sweet song.
On the couch with a good book and a cup of steaming green tea.
Beside a soft moss-covered rock in the Maine woods.
Under a bridge in a summer rainstorm.
On top of a mountain at the end of a long hike.
Amongst the high grass in a marsh where a graceful Great Egret is posing.
Walking along the beach on a steamy summer day.
In the laughter of children.
Beside my best friend.
by Susan Kirk
(I wrote this several years ago, still all true, especially now.)
Between the branches of an old tree
where the sun shines through the fresh new Spring leaves.
In a soft, sweet song.
On the couch with a good book and a cup of steaming green tea.
Beside a soft moss-covered rock in the Maine woods.
Under a bridge in a summer rainstorm.
On top of a mountain at the end of a long hike.
Amongst the high grass in a marsh where a graceful Great Egret is posing.
Walking along the beach on a steamy summer day.
In the laughter of children.
Beside my best friend.
"Find Your Joy"
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You can work until you die, you can watch your life go by;
Would you like to try and find your joy?
Is it in your neighbor’s yard, is it on your calling card;
Is it very hard to find your joy?
Is it in your pocketbook, do you even have to look;
Tell me what it took to find your joy.
Is it pomp and circumstance, would you take another chance;
Join me in the dance and find your joy.
Is it something you can hear, songs of love or sounds of cheer;
Listen very clear and find your joy.
Is it something you can make, quilts to see or bread to bake;
Just what does it take to find you joy?
Is it something you can see, art or nature’s tapestry;
Just where should you be to find your joy?
Is it mountains in the snow, peaceful valleys down below;
Tell me where you go to find your joy.
Is it times when you have won, battles fought and races run;
How much have you done to find your joy?
Is it in the life you lead, thoughts you think and books you read;
Can you plant the seed and find your joy?
Is it in the ones you love, does it come from up above;
Are you thinking of a little joy?
May you do what you can do, may your hopes and dreams come true,
Knowing only you can find your joy.
Would you like to try and find your joy?
Is it in your neighbor’s yard, is it on your calling card;
Is it very hard to find your joy?
Is it in your pocketbook, do you even have to look;
Tell me what it took to find your joy.
Is it pomp and circumstance, would you take another chance;
Join me in the dance and find your joy.
Is it something you can hear, songs of love or sounds of cheer;
Listen very clear and find your joy.
Is it something you can make, quilts to see or bread to bake;
Just what does it take to find you joy?
Is it something you can see, art or nature’s tapestry;
Just where should you be to find your joy?
Is it mountains in the snow, peaceful valleys down below;
Tell me where you go to find your joy.
Is it times when you have won, battles fought and races run;
How much have you done to find your joy?
Is it in the life you lead, thoughts you think and books you read;
Can you plant the seed and find your joy?
Is it in the ones you love, does it come from up above;
Are you thinking of a little joy?
May you do what you can do, may your hopes and dreams come true,
Knowing only you can find your joy.
Finding ways to still give to others. I'm making and sending masks to family and friends to let them know I'm thinking of them. And I'm knitting a sweater for our youngest grandchild (3 months old). - Deb Mitchell
Finding ways to still give to others. I'm making and sending masks to family and friends to let them know I'm thinking of them. And I'm knitting a sweater for our youngest grandchild (3 months old). - Deb Mitchell
"My joy is making my new home and environs as warm and comfortable as possible -- after all I will be spending more time here. Planting new green friends and flowers has been a real joy and it seems the birds as well are singing their songs of joy and gratitude!"
- Jean Richon
- Jean Richon
While practicing social distancing, I've had some playful creative moments including spending time with some new "best friends" posing here on a break." - Ann Penton
"The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming and the sunrise this morning was stunning. All signs of Spring and hope for tomorrow."
- Diane Tepe
- Diane Tepe
"Out at our patio table this warmTuesday mid-afternoon, Ann and are are engaged in a friendly game of Spicy Farkle. What a peaceful, enjoyable break from being indoors staring at a computer screen."
- Con Nadeau
"So many people have volunteered to 'spend time' with my kiddos over video chat while I was sick, reading them books and just talking. This photo was taken during a chat with their aunt, and you can see the joy.
- Janine Gelsinger, UUJAZ Executive Director
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"My joy is our sunshine and warmth. John's flowers lift my sad heart, especially the volunteer sweet peas. Birds calking in our yard, neighbors walking by and waving with smiles. We are interconnected of that I m sure." - Judy Harmer
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"My joy is getting to spend 3 wonderful days with my brother who just turned 80. Sheltering in place made for real quality talks about life & going through some old family things. My trip was cut short by 5 days it was definitely worth the drive." - Martha House
"A tiny Broad-billed Hummingbird nesting in my pomegranate tree."
- Susan Kirk
"I am finding joy by visiting my favorite website, www.goodnewsnetwork.org. This site features good news stories from around the globe, and also has wonderful quotes on the top of their site that change regularly. Today's quote is from Helen Keller....."Be of good cheer...You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles." - Shawna Hansen, BUU Administrator
"My Joy is the deepening connections. My sister started a family email thread with photos of where we are and what we are doing today. Nice to see my sister-in-law, whom I haven't seen in several years, cooking her special quiche, my niece at work in ER in IN, my nephews delivering groceries to their elderly parents, then a phone call of concern from a dear friend in central Mexico, a facebook chat with my cousin in London. Connections - like a cradle." - Barbara Lemmon
"Ken said he had a shirt that said ‘Faith Moves Mountains’ so he and Jim decided to try to move the boulder that has been sitting in the middle of the garden for years to its designated spot near the wind sculpture. With a long steel pry bar, blocks of wood and cement patio blocks as leverage, they pried, wrestled and juggled the boulder to its home." - Carol Hoy
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Deep calls unto deep, joy calls unto joy, light calls unto light... We pledge ourselves to be bearers of the light, wherever we are. - The Rev. Gordon McKeeman |