Friday, October 3, 2008

The Joy Project

Well, it's time for me to start planning my Christmas decorating. Maybe you think I'm getting too much of a head start. Not if you decorate like I do!

Each room of my house will be decked in Christmas splendor. Don't ask me why I bother decorating the laundry room. My only explanation is that it looks kind of pitiful with everything else adorned with lights and garland. So, I throw a few things around to give it the holiday spirit. It DOES NOT make washing and ironing more fun!

Beginning about the end of this month my house will be strewn with boxes filled with ornaments, Christmas trees, candles and other such Christmas decorations. I will probably not have guests until December 1st. No place for them to walk or sit!

Why do I go to all that work? I don't know. I guess it's because I enjoy looking at all the lights and glitter. I love having friends over and seeing their delight in all the decorations. Their delight brings me joy.

I have found that bringing joy to others always brings me joy. I think that's the way God planned it. When I become self-centered, life is not nearly as joyful. It is when I am doing for others that I feel a greater sense of joy welling up inside me.

How about you? Can you bring a little joy to someone's life today? It doesn't have to be something as extravagant as me with my Christmas decorating. Simple things bring joy, too. Why not "target" one person you will actively bring joy to each day of the year. Go ahead. Mark on the calendar, "Bring joy to someone today." If you do that for just one person each day of the year, you will have impacted 365 lives, not counting your own. Awesome!

Hoping to bring joy today, Gloria

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