My very first post on ISpyJoy.com was one year ago today.   Creating a space to affirm and share all the places joy is found became my temple, my place to worship and appreciate this amazing life. It has played a vital role in my journey toward happiness.

When I’ve needed nudging, this site has served as a reminder of my commitment to purposely look for and feel the joy that is available at every moment.  It’s my touchstone.

Today, and everyday, I am grateful for this gift I have given myself.

Happy birthday.  …And many more.

Wahoo!

I got a few emails after this last ezine with links to some great websites focused on joy, happiness and good news.  Thank you for spreading joy!

Joyce Arbeene sent in a link to a wonderful story about a couple celebrating their 81st wedding anniversary. Frank Milford, 101, and his wife, Anita, 100, were married on May 26, 1928. They are currently the longest-married couple in the United Kingdom.  The story was written up in the Daily Mail and posted on a wonderful website, Good News Now.  Do yourself a favor and bookmark Good News Now so you can check it every few days for a boost of real news that’s positive and affirming.  Thanks for sharing, Joyce!

For anyone living in the Portland, Oregon area, Delaram sent in a link to a fabulous summer camp for kids: Spiritual Virtues Summer Camp.  The Bahá’í Community of Beaverton and New Thought Center for Spiritual Living (NTCSL) are joyful co-sponsors of a Spiritual Virtues Summer Camp for children ages 4 – 12.  Take a look at what they’re doing.  Thanks, Delaram!

And Carol McKeag(aka my mom) has been forwarding me some ezines from Unleash Gratitude.  I believe we often find what we’re looking for, and if you look for things to be grateful for, you’ll find life is full of joy and wonder.  Thanks, mom!

Joy lives!  Go find it.

I was talking to my mom today about the rules we make up for our lives. Rules like: people who sacrifice and suffer for others get more points, no pain no gain, it’s more spiritual to live frugally than to live in opulence, I’m only worth as much as my job title, and, most alarming, you cannot eat chocolate every day.

What if, as Mike Dooley (author of Notes from the Universe) says, “the universe doesn’t give a flying yahoo” about our rules? What if the most important thing we had to do was to be happy?

It’s proven that happy people are more understanding, friendlier and much less likely to flip you the bird if you accidentally cut them off in traffic.

Maybe we should all just relax a little. And, as Denise Sharp said, “Give your soul some elbow room.”

In a time when fear and depression seem to be in a more plentiful supply than they have in years, a survey of visitors to ISpyJoy.com reveals the recession-proof sources of joy. Topping the list for what brings people joy are family, friends and pets. The best ways to spread joy to others? Offering a smile, being kind and listening.

These results remind us—and now is a good time to be reminded—that the greatest sources of joy come from being in the moment with our loved ones. And it’s also timely to note that, while ideally we should enjoy what we do for a living, our core happiness is much less dependant on our jobs than it is on things like being in nature, a walk through your city or reading a good book.

See the complete results of the survey here.