9. Day 11: The Joy Of Two Foreign Butlers
I tasted a long forgotten joy today; that of caring for a baby. What a delight to get to be the two “foreign butlers” and pitch in on a busy day of work, appointments and much sanding (click here to see what his momma is doing). This being said, my post is quiet short day (all parents etc will understand). The joy I noticed today was how lovely it was (and is) to have the privilege of playing and caring for the baby without any other responsibilities (something you rarely get to experience). To be off from work, away from home and having delegated practically everything we...
Read More9. Day 10: Joy Coughs Up The Truth
I have heard joy is an inside job which is true and reasonable yet still is a bit challenging to find/see/be aware of joy when circumstances say otherwise (pain, sadness, cold, coughing fit). It is not so much that I am not joyful it is just that the pain/cough etc is so loud I don’t hear joy. Since I am really noticing my awareness (or lack thereof) of joy this month I quickly notice if I am not feeling joy. Yesterday we went for a glorious walk on the moor to a place called Boot’s Folly, a four story stone structure built in the middle of a wide paddock filled with sheep....
Read More9. Day 9: Joy Relaxes
I am residing in the epicenter of marvel. Because of technology I have easily communicated this morning with my daughter in California, Dad on the way to Hawaii, our incredible staff holding the fort back in the office and our beautiful hosts two stories down. I am sitting in a kitchen that surely must have been shown in Architectural Digest or The English Home, my tea is piping hot and my fuzzy socks and slippers are keeping my feet toasty. We met our dear friends sort of through technology via work and became fast friends of the heart. We are sitting on the edge of the moors looking...
Read More9. Day 8: Let Your Joy Be Whole
I must confess that I feel a bit naughty or selfish even choosing joy, or living joy. I mean, there is still so much pain and suffering in the world at large and even in my local vision (the homeless man outside the SPA Grocery selling a magazine). Why do I get to be full of joy if there is still pain? This has actually been a question that has plagued me in many ways for years. Why do I get the nice family and pleasant circumstances when others are so unhappy? I naturally took this to Holy Spirit and was heartened, as always, with the gentle response. HS: Precious One, Fear not. This...
Read More9. Day 7: Joy Is A Loving Use Of Money
I have been concerned with money on this trip. Did we overextend? Will there be enough? Everything is so much more expensive than I anticipated (everyone said this would happen). And add to this a 20% VAT (Value Added Tax) on everything; hotel, fuel, food, all purchases, even BNI memberships and plumbing costs. It is easy to either panic and buy more than I need or go to ground and withdraw and not fully experience our time which has been truly gifted us. It has been good to have a more working week just gone. Events, meetings, networking and getting to know our sister region. I just...
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