I love a new year. A new year is full of hope and promise—a fresh start, like a clean piece of paper sitting next to a newly sharpened pencil. The possibilities are endless.
I’ve never really been one for resolutions. Every year I make a mental list of all the things I’d like to improve (exercise more, eat less frozen yogurt, be patient) but by January 12th, I’ve already skipped four workouts, eaten 18 ounces of peppermint stick with m&m’s, and allowed my head to explode. Twice.
So, in light of wanting to achieve the possible, I have decided to make only one resolution for 2011.
I am going to choose joy.
joy [joi]
–noun 1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good.
–verb 1. to feel joy; be glad; rejoice.
I believe if you look closely enough, you can find joy just about anywhere. It’s in your chocolate cake and your favorite pair of shoes and in your friend’s new baby’s smile. It’s in the swimming pool and a good book and a funny conversation and a quiet morning. It’s in the big important cherished moments that impact all of us, and in the tiny beautiful things that most people fail to notice. Joy is everywhere around us, waiting to be found and waiting to be chosen.
Too often, we let things get in the way of our joy. Stress. Self-inflicted pity. Other people who want to see us fail. Sometimes it’s our own selfishness and first world problems, which lead us to complain and whine about things that don’t matter at all. And sometimes it’s bigger than that; it’s a world full of heartache and sickness and hunger, which lead us to feel both helpless and insignificant.
When all of these negative forces combine, it becomes a dangerous trap, like a hurricane sucking us in one by one. All of a sudden we find ourselves surrounded by depression, anger, frustration, and disappointment without knowing how we even got there. And the only way to escape is to make a conscious decision to do so.
2010 was a good year, but 2011 is going to be a great year. It’s going to be the year that I rejoice more than I complain. The year that I celebrate more than I break down. The year that I give, wholeheartedly, of my attitude and actions with the hope that they will positively affect the people around me. Because my only resolution for 2011 is to encourage smiles and inspire high spirits and create belly laughs in those who need it most.
Enter: the joy pledge; a dedicated effort to find and choose joy on a regular basis in hopes that sharing it will, in turn, inspire others to choose joy as well.
How it works:
There are no rules to the joy pledge. This isn’t a weekly or monthly project, or something dedicated solely to photos or solely to words. A joy pledge post stems purely from inspiration. Maybe it’s a photo of a sunset, or a description of a newly mastered yoga pose. It might be a recorded conversation with a stranger, or a picture of the best cupcake you’ve ever had the pleasure of sampling. A joy pledge post exists to share and inspire the art of finding and choosing joy at every available opportunity.
If you choose to take the joy pledge, the same rules (or lack thereof) apply to you. Bonus points will be awarded to those who can find joy in the most uncommon (and perhaps unjoyful) places.
This isn’t about me, and it’s not about you. This is about us—creating, sharing, and inspiring joy with and for each other. This is our year. Let’s not let it go to waste, but do good with it.
*Graphics courtesy of Pugly Pixel.
One of my absolute favorite quotes is from A Tree Grows in Brooklyn:
“People always think happiness is a faraway thing,” thought Francie, “something complicated and hard to get. Yet, what little things can make it up; a place of shelter when it rains–a cup of strong hot coffee when you’re blue; for a man, a cigarette for contentment; a book to read when you’re alone–just to be with someone you love. Those things make happiness.”
I always think about that when I have an umbrella when it’s raining or when I’m curled up inside when it’s cold out: it’s all about choosing to find the good in every situation!
Loving the joy pledge already
Christine´s last [type] ..How to travel more in 2011
I. love. it.
Kate´s last [type] ..first weekend of the new year
I LOVE THIS. Thank you.
How absolutely wonderful.
Krysten´s last [type] ..The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Ashlee, your blog never ceases to inspire. <3 <3
Kellie´s last [type] ..Goodbye 2010- Hello 2011
This is really inspirational. I choose joy too. Thanks!
YES! I completely believe that joy is a choice (or a result of our choices) and I am so on board with the joy pledge!
Angeline´s last [type] ..Bluestocking
The best resolution I’ve heard so far!
Michelle´s last [type] ..Wine Enthusiast
THANK YOU SO MUCH I LOVE IT AND I’M IN!!!
Since its my personal motto to “choose joy every day” anyway, I obviously love this
I’ll work on a post soon!
Liz´s last [type] ..Sister- Sister
LOVE … especially the belly laugh part!! I’m gonna work on that!!
Wonderful post and love the joy pledge! I’m in too!
Jessica´s last [type] ..Orange Cranberry Tea Bread
i am so going to do this:) what a lovely idea
Kaitlyn´s last [type] ..super craziness!
What a lovely idea
It certainly sounds like it is going to be a lot of fun.
I hope your having a great day!
xoxo
Olivia
Olivia´s last [type] ..Happy Birthday!!!
Amen sista-girlfriend. Totally taking the pledge right now!
Oh and I was wondering if you had a smaller ‘The Joy Pledge’ button that I could possibly post on my sidebar? If not, I totally understand and will just post the above after every post.
Dee´s last [type] ..Ready for this
This is a lovely idea, Ashlee. I am taking the joy pledge for this coming year, wholeheartedly!
San´s last [type] ..I’m finally home
Taking the joy pledge and adding the button to my blog! Thanks for an amazing and inspiring idea/challenge/project!
Nevermind on my previous comment! I figured out how to resize it on my sidebar!
Dee´s last [type] ..Ready for this
Taking the pledge and adding the button! Thanks for the challenge
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going on my blog!
this is the perfect pledge to take.
oh i love this. i just started your alphabet project last week and will continue to do so but who doesn’t enjoy to find (and share) joy? i’m in!
kim´s last [type] ..A is for angel
ps. something’s wrong with the code to the image. you might wanna check that
kim´s last [type] ..A is for angel
What a great idea
Took the pledge and posted on my blog! Thanks.
Genevieve´s last [type] ..Nooks in Town
Pingback: finding joy in the swamp. | Where My Heart Resides
I just put this button on my blog!
Becky´s last [type] ..The hits just keep coming
Love it!
Just added this button to my blog. hopefully more joyous posts to come.
Kimmy´s last [type] ..LMFF – VIP Shopping and Fashion Party- Chadstone
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You are such a gifted writer! I am so glad I have stumbled upon your blog!
I am taking the pledge.
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