“Taken from a dictionary, this word means “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness”. The word in question is “joy”.  Generally, it’s always been associated with the holiday season – Christmas, yuletide specifically. But isn’t summer a season full of holidays, too? Of vacationing and en(joying) yourself? Perhaps the type of pleasure feels different: crazy and playful in summer while more so fulfilling and blissful in the winter months?...

“Are you a phone call away or in a distant galaxy? Within reach or far afield? Ready to respond or always busy? Physically there and then not so much? A north star for a troubled soul? A super nova that flames out much too fast? The shoulder to cry on? On your watch or not on your watch? The back that carries the load or turns away from taking on discomfort? In service for self or in service for others? Sometimes there’s an in between. Even...

“Do you go for a walk between the raindrops? Run an errand? Weed the garden? Sit on the patio with a cup of tea? Hop on your bike for a quick cycle? Head to the café to meet up with friends?  Take the dog out? Set out for the day’s hike? Pack up the car for a weekend getaway? Hang out at the market? Visit your dad? Hang out the wash? Mow the lawn? Catch some rays at the beach? Settle in a comfy chair with book and coffee? Or settle in a...

“Tell me, was it your dad, older brother, uncle, big sister, best friend, camp counsellor who gave you piggyback rides?  Do you remember your first one? Excited and a little scared at first? Getting on her back: no problem but when she finally stood up, there you were – feeling like you were dangling from the edge of a steep cliff expecting to fall any moment. But you didn’t and so you asked for another ride. And then another… It was...

“How can you sit in the realm of peace with all that is going on around you? You have the power to do this both figuratively and literally. Imagine a favorite place to be – the beach, in the mountains, a forest, the family cottage where you think of thoughts of beauty, joy, good times and peaceful moments, too. Take in the pleasure of this image, this memory you have and gently place it in your heart. Once softly settled there, watch it grow –...