Joy

This week I am privileged to host the prompt at the Write Tribe. My prompt is to do a free write. It's quite weird that each time the prompt for a free write turns up, I'm on the letter J of the alphabet!

I had to think a bit about what I should write for the letter J. So many things popped into my head - a song, a quote and then the word Joy screamed out at me.

So Joy it is for the letter J at ABC Wednesday.

I truly believe that our natural state of living is in joy, but sometimes we are overwhelmed by the burdens that we have placed on ourselves and hence have forgotten to be joyful.

So what brings me joy?

Writing of course. It allows me to unleash my creativity and put my dreams and thoughts down on "paper".

Music. Whenever I feel low or things are not going well, music is the one thing that gladdens my heart. Instrumental and devotional music in particular always bring me back to a place of calm and peace.

My children are my strength and joy. I cannot imagine what my life would've been like without them. There's not a day that goes by when I don't thank God for giving me these wonderful gifts.

My job. I actually enjoy what I do immensely. I also enjoy the interactions at work. Don't get me wrong, it's hard work and there's not a moment's respite, my day is full but when you enjoy what you do, it no longer becomes a burden or a chore. Working also brings me joy.

Meditation - about 15 years ago I began my spiritual journey in earnest and I started meditating. It's one of the best things I have ever done. Meditation takes me to a place so wonderful that it's hard to explain in words. If ever my mind is in turmoil, meditation for even a couple of minutes brings me clarity and peace. I highly recommend it.

Walking - not power walking or even brisk walking - that is not walking for exercise, but just to be in communion with nature. To be mindful when I walk and notice everything in my path. So energising.

Photography - this is one of my passions. A camera in my hand is such great joy and looking through old photographs is so much fun and never fails to cheer me up.

So those were some of my joys. Would love to know what brings you joy, so please share yours.

Wish you all a most wonderful and joyful day.

Warm Regards


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Written for 

Do a free write either as a word purge (just letting your thoughts ramble) or pick a prompt for yourself – a word, phrase, quote, song, book, anything you want to write on and let your fingers fly for 15 minutes.

and the letter J at 

UBC 11 - AtoZ - Jumbled thoughts and scrambled brains

Day 11  of the Ultimate Blogging Challenge and the letter J  for the  AtoZ Blogging Challenge

J is for ... Jumbled thoughts and scrambled brains,


Sometime ago I did a 15 minute free write that actually turned out to be a lot of fun.

So as the letter J has completely stumped me and my thoughts are jumbled and brains scrambled (could be fried too), I thought I would do a free write.

So here goes ...

J labels - I thought I would be clever and look through my blog labels and that would give me a word. No such luck, there is not a single post on my blog that's labelled with a J word. It's no wonder that my brains pretty much dried up trying to find a word for this letter.

Last night a few J names came up on the TV - John Key (Prime Minister of NZ), Peter Jackson but writing about people is just not fun and downright boring and I already used up John Lennon in my I post so this is not a goer.

Jasmine is the prompt for today on Haiku Heights. Haiku is so exciting and one of my favourite poetry formats. You can say so much in so little. But Jasmine?  I can't string any words together for Jasmine.

"Jedi in the Lotus" is a book I read recently that was quite interesting. In a nutshell it's about how Star Wars relates to Eastern wisdom. I wrote a post on this in January for Corinne's 7x7x7x7 prompt. That was a lot of fun.

Jedi reminded me of the census forms we recently filled in. My son asked me if he could put down Jedi as his religion! A lot of people do. I wonder how many will put that down this time.

"Just the way you are" by Billy Joel is a song that keeps going around around in my head. Once upon a time I drove everyone totally mad at home playing this song over and over again. I still think it's a good song but thank goodness we've got ipods!

Jabalpur, Japan, Jaipur, Jamshedpur ran through my mind. But they're of no use to me as I've never been there. I have been to Jammu and Johor Bahru  but no pictures to show!

Jalebis (pronounced j-lay-bee) - I love jalebis. They are my favourite Indian sweet. My mom's friend B-Masi (aunty) always sends a box of jalebis for me when she meets my mom, which is quite often :). B-Masi makes the most awesome jalebis. My daughter loves them too except she calls them jellybees.

Just like it did the last time round with my free write, the Jabberwocky song from Alice in Wonderland comes to mind.  Jabberwocky is a complete jumble of nonsense, just like this post.  But now and then, a jumble of nonsense is quite therapeutic.

Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe.

All mimsey were the borogroves

And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjubb bird, and shun

The frumious Bandersnatch!"

~ Jabberwocky song, Alice in Wonderland

(And when you've figured out what it means, please enlighten me).

image source: Wikipedia

Grateful to B-Masi for supplying yummy jalebis.

Have a joyful day.

Warm Regards

UBC Day 14 - GBE2 15 Minute free write

Day 14 of the Ultimate Blogging Challenge 

GBE2's prompt this week is a 15 minute free write - You sit down and write whatever comes into your mind for 15 straight minutes. The goal is not to write a story, article, or even anything coherent. It's a word purge. A stream of consciousness babble-fest and it's a wonderful way to unleash your creativity.

So here goes ...

Chicken salad, it seemed to go around and around in my head. So finally I had to get up and make it. I look forward to tomorrow's lunch.

Watched a few episodes of "I Love Lucy" - it is so therapeutic. They say laughter is the best medicine. It certainly puts you in a wonderful and relaxed mood. Lucy and Desi are great to watch.

I love cherries. Picked up a few at the supermarket yesterday. Cherries and Lucy - just perfect.

What a dreadful day today - it rained all day and doesn't look like it's going to let up anytime soon. I don't mind the rain so much but when it's accompanied by gusty winds, it starts to get very weary.

Woke up a little late this morning but still made it in time for the bus. Must go to bed soon as I am starting to get a bit tired.

I've done this whole post chronologically backwards. Today is a topsy turvy day.

I am really running out of things to say.  And I've achieved the goal of not writing anything coherent.

I am most uncreative today and this post reminds me of the Jabberwocky song from Alice in Wonderland - a complete jumble of nonsense.

Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe.

All mimsey were the borogroves

And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjubb bird, and shun

The frumious Bandersnatch!"

picture taken from Wikipedia

And on that note I shall end this post - times up anyway!

Warm Regards