March 2024 SOLC–Day 11
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Outside the window, the birds fluttered and flapped from tree to ground to bush and around the feeders. Their songs and occasional squabbles filled the air. I stood by the window, amazed by the level of activity, listening, watching, and feeling my spirits inevitably lift.
Why were there so many of them?
My mind went back to the previous night’s blustery, cold, last-minute filling of the many bird feeders. Oh, yeah… What a lovely reward I’d reaped for following through, albeit quite reluctantly, on that task.
“You’ve got to seed your joy,” I thought, looking through the window, enjoying the fruits of my small effort, and my small word play. Happily, the birds were able to enjoy it as well. A pleasure shared is a pleasure doubled, right?
That phrase “seed your joy” has been lingering in my mind ever since. I know firsthand that small pleasures can sing and their effect can linger. A smudgy, grubby microwave finally cleaned, a gritty stairway vacuumed, or some fresh flowers placed on the table require minimal effort, but bring me a flash of pleasure every time I look at them. A letter written, a phone call made, or yes, bird feeders filled, spread the joy a bit further afield.
So, I’ve been pondering. What other small things can I do? What seeds can I plant today for myself and others that will eventually yield a small crop of future joy?
Nix the comfort zone 
I love this post so much because it makes me think about the intentional choice of happiness and being proactive in creating joy. Seeding joy is a beautiful thought! That could take a month of posts at least on Tuesdays! As a birdwatcher too, seeding joy reminds me that the simplest things that bring the most joy don’t cost an arm and a leg (although in winter we spend more on birdseed than when the insect population increases again). Neat slice! And I boil a cup of vinegar in the microwave for a quick clean. I let it sit a minute and then everything wipes out easy. That is joy too! Best joy, though : dogs.
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Thanks for the comment and the bonus cleaning tip 🙂 I’ve done that with a lemon instead of vinegar. Rarely. But I have done it! lol
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I will definitely ponder on “seed your joy” and you’re so right about these little things that boost us up the most! Fresh flowers really help!
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I almost always have some fresh flowers in the house in the winter now. It makes such a difference to have some color around in the dark, cold days.
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How about you know that you already seeded some joy this morning with the picture of daffodils. Love the analogies and the reminders in your post.
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Isn’t it lovely to see daffodils again? They are the cheeriest of flowers!
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Love the phrase, the philosophy, and…the VASE!
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I think I sliced about this vase last year. It was a total find at a local store. I think it cost less than $5. I adore it!
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Thanks for a morning prompt. I haven’t written a slice. Seeding your joy is a good choice. My weekend was full of those seeds, little joys. Keep those birds coming to the feeders! And words coming for slices.
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I’m trying to think of tasks as opportunities for future appreciation rather than as irritating chores. Not sure it’s working, but it’s worth a try!
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Your list echoes mine perfectly. Thanks for the early morning upbeat thoughts. Sending you energy for a productive pleasant day, planting seeds with the young ones.
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Laurie! Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂 I also appreciate the energy you sent. I was still grumpy about losing my hour to Daylight Savings, so I needed all the help I could get.
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❤️❤️❤️ Yes, seed your joy! I would like to remember that 🙂
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I’m hoping to remember it, too! It’s kind of like sending your future self or someone else a little gift.
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I love the idea of seeding joy so much. Sometimes you need to work at finding joy and meaning. Slicing has become a great way to tune into the greater world around me during such a busy month, though.
Also, I clearly need to buy some flowers, as it’s been awhile. I should be buying them through the winter. (But I’m just glad I managed to keep 6 houseplants alive this winter!)
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I am ecstatic (second grade word of choice!) that you are enjoying slicing. It’s been so much fun doing this together. Also, congrats on the houseplant success!
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Yes! “You’ve got to seed your joy.” Isn’t the joy we get from writing in this community one way to seed our joy? It is for me, and like you, even cleaning a closet or doing a task needing done brings me joy. Your writing in the slice is poetic joy.
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Writing in this community is definitely a way to seed joy!
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Molly, you have been seeding your joy! That photo of your daffodils with the blue vase and red sofa is so gorgeous. I love that the eyeglasses are there on the edge too. It is seeding some joy for me right now.
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I’m so glad you noticed my cheerful red sofa, as it is a recent “find” (what a deal!!!) and has made us very happy.
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What a great phrase and metaphor! I love it. I can’t fill bird feeders because, well, cats, but I am going to think of ways that I can seed my joy – especially because this is March Break & then we’re back to school – so it’s the right time for some joy-seeding!
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This is the perfect time for joy-seeding! I hope that you are resting, relaxing, or doing whatever you need to rejuvenate. I’m always envious of people who have a week off during March slicing. (Of course, I am beyond grateful that we have a week in February and a week in April. It’s just hard to remember in March.)
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