Joy of the Day, Day 48: Joy Dots

Sometimes, I’ve noticed, joy shows up in long, sprawling stretches: an hours-long conversation with a friend, an afternoon reading a great book, or even a whole sunny day when all seems somehow to have stayed on track. But far, far more often, joy shows up in tiny moments—little sparks versus a long-lasting glow—that pack a really big punch and carry the day. For now I’m going to call these happy things joy dots, because in my mind they look like little points of light along the linear time-arc of any given day, but I’m open to your suggestions.

Last night I slept poorly, and felt weary upon waking—never a great way to launch into a day, especially a wide-open, sunny Sunday. Partly because I knew first thing that I was working from an energy deficit, and partly because I’ve gotten a little smarter about setting realistic expectations for my days in quasi-quarantine (or whatever this is called, now that I’ve done curbside pick up at Starbucks, bought exactly the kind of paper towels I like, and spent time with friends, albeit at a distance), I put exactly two things on today’s to-do-list: 1. Walk with Charlotte, and 2. Laundry.

I tackled the laundry first because I know better, and whenever I do laundry I listen to music, because I deserve at least that much happiness for my trouble. Just as I had settled into my task, Stevie Wonder’s “Once in My Life” started to play, and I challenge you to not feel totally encouraged and on fire for what’s next, even if it’s putting a load of whites in the dryer and a load of colors in the washer, after listening to Stevie sing that song. Joy Dot #1.

The fact that I ticked off the laundry list-item at about 3pm, about 6 hours after starting, is not important, but the fact that I ticked it off at all is—at least to me. I rewarded myself by heading out to the garden, where I admired the lush greenness of the many little plants I recently planted, gave thanks for the rain that watered them so well last night, and then spotted, on my way out, a pot-full of carrot sprouts so fragile and tiny that I went inside to fetch my readers, so that I could see clearly their perfect little leaves and stems. Joy Dot #2.

Amelia and I took Charlotte for a walk after that, which, in addition to counting as exercise and a chance to spend time with my college kid (which I recognize to be a very special gift), meant my to-dos for the day were complete—all cause for joy in itself. But then as we neared home at the end of our walk, we were met by what seemed like a hundred new roses along the fence, basking their blooms in the bright evening sun. Joy Dot #3

Three Joy Dots, sunshine, laundry done, dog walked, to-do list complete: a very a good day indeed.

Today, Stevie, tiny carrots and the season’s first roses are my joy. #joyinplace