Tuesday, April 28, 2015

A Summer Quest for Joy

As this semester is (finally) winding down, I find myself daydreaming about summer. What will it be like to have time for myself again? The time to stop and actually look at a flower, to spin in circles in the middle of a field, to read a book for pleasure. I know I really need this summer. I need to find the joy in the little things again. But, if I'm not intentional about this, I can easily waste my summer without ever really resting. Finding rest for my soul, I should say. Because taking one day in bed with a book is good, but not everyday. What I'm looking for is balance, I think. And to reclaim a child-like joy in the little things that make me happy. So, what started as a list of "Summer 2015 Goals" has become an intentional quest to find God in the little things and to be intentional about doing the things that create joy. It is a quest because this will take effort and bravery and because it is worth doing. It is a quest for joy, because joy and beauty because these things lead me to God.

Some of these are actually things I should get done (like mending the hook on my skirt that's needed fixing for three months), some are projects I want to work on, and some are just little tiny things that will make me happy, because there are always those random and beautiful things that make you insanely happy. If I don't get everything done, I don't get everything done. Some I may even do more than once. It's OK. This is not a to-do list. This is a quest for joy, beauty, and above all, Christ.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

  • pray
  • read the Bible
  • read books
  • practice Russian
  • learn Slavonic
  • make a huge, bright, book bag
  • research
  • read Lord of the Rings
  • read The Brothers Karamazov
  • read Crime and Punishment
  • reread Fr. Thomas Hopko's 55 maxims (post upcoming)
  • work on the Lamentations
  • fix my cross chain
  • set Mystical Supper Alleluia verse
  • count 1000 gifts
  • learn to do a French Twist
  • complete a puzzle
  • go down to Danville (and the fabulous tea shop!)
  • review piano scales
  • get my bow rehaired
  • practice violin
  • take a long walk (barefoot)
  • take a nap outdoors
  • go biking
  • go on a hike with friends
  • look for hidden beauty
  • blog
  • journal about the things that matter
  • spin in the wind
  • go outdoors, barefoot, in a rain storm
  • make something
  • take some pictures
  • play a board game
  • tickle my sister
  • cook something wholesome and delicious
  • smile randomly and intentionally for no reason
  • repair some clothes
  • knit a scarf
  • make prayer ropes
  • write letters
  • call a friend on the phone
  • visit the monastery
  • do yoga
  • leave random encouraging notes
  • make a new friend
  • write down some good quotes for later
  • take a break from all social media
  • memorize a Psalm
  • memorize a Bible verse
  • get coffee with a friend

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