How to Live in Joy:
Day 3: How posting a photo of an iris on Instagram brought joy
This month of May I am highlighting different ways of living in joy and making the most of our days at home during this lockdown time. I want to spread as much joy as possible during this time. I love to examine and notice little things that bring us a spark of happiness during these times. We are all finding ways to be more mindful, to notice and appreciate the little things. These daily stories are all about noticing the details. What little things have brought you joy today?
Today’s story is about the photo of the purple iris (pictured above) that I posted on Instagram just two days ago. I try to post something positive and uplifting on my personal Instagram every afternoon during the week. On the weekends I don’t post as much, but I love to share something positive with others. So, on Friday I happened to share this photo of my purple iris that had just bloomed in my garden. Many years ago my mom gave me lots of purple iris starts to plant. I planted them all over the yard. This is the first year that they have bloomed in full force. It was so lovely to capture that moment in the sunshine of one of the first blooms. Leading up to this day I had seen the buds of the blooms, just about ready to burst forth. It was something to look forward to. One morning I saw that they had started to bloom! What beauty to behold! I just love the rich, vibrant colors of this flower!
A while after I had posted it (the post also goes to Facebook), I noticed that many of my friends posted in the comments photos of their beautiful iris and other blooms in their gardens. This brought me so much joy! Little did I know I would start a chain of happiness with one flower bloom! This was such a source of happiness to me. I even had a friend leave me a voice message about a funny story she had about an iris bloom. Wow! You just never know the ripple effect that you can have!
This cascade of flowers, blooms and joy that emanated from the small action that I took was so lovely. It was a way to engage with friends, to share the love and the joy of one flower. That is the power of nature, to radiate beauty and love to us all. This is what I have a gorgeous view of today as I write this. It has been raining here this morning, but the sun has come out. I can see my beautiful purple iris beckoning me outside, to take a walk amongst the flowers. How fortunate am I to have a garden such as this to enjoy every day. No longer will I take a bloom for granted. No longer will I let a day go by without spending some time outside.
The other early evening I spoke to my lilacs and told them that I had enjoyed their company this spring. I had enjoyed smelling their lovely scent every day. I had enjoyed walking beneath them just like a special entry to another secret garden realm. I made some lilac scones to enjoy with my family and froze some for later, I made many bouquets from the blooms. I thanked them for these experiences they gave to me. In other times I would have barely noticed the short season of the lilacs. This year I was aware of their presence every day.
What small joys have you found day?
With lots of love and light,
Trista
Follow my personal Instagram for daily joy!
Here are my other two days of Living in Joy:
