Our guest poster for today is a joyful, passionate lady. She does beautiful things with a camera and makes me yearn to return to the Pacific Northwest. She is thoughtful and peaceful, and always reminds me to savor life. She loves her family, her garden, her life, and tea - to name just a few. Meet Marilyn.
Someone recently told me I was a happy person. That took me by surprise, as I don't always see it that way. Then after a pause I realized for the most part I am a happy person, but I wondered why. When I retired 5 years ago after a 25 year career as an apparel pattern-maker I realized being home more often I could become depressed quite easily. With intention I started evaluating what I could do to avoid this. What was I passionate about? Beside surrounding myself with people I love, I loved Tea, the Outdoors, and Surrounding myself with Beauty. I seek these things out and as part of living intentionally I started blogging at Delights of the Heart.
A friend uses the term "notice what you notice" and I decided to take that to heart. I notice with my camera and my heart opportunities to laugh, play, and be delighted. I have found that choosing to celebrate makes my heart sing. If we don't choose intentionally we won't ever arrive at JOY.
Each decade birthday I have celebrated with JOY because of intentional choices. When I approached my 40th birthday I knew I needed to choose a career path that I had only dreamed of; so off to design school I went. For my 60th birthday I chose to start a small online business, Marmalady's. The business involves the tea I love and sewing patterns for tea lovers. I was really dreading my 70th a few months ago and knew I needed something to look forward to. A personal journey to San Francisco did the trick and I thoroughly enjoyed turning 70.
When Relyn asked me to share my passion I hadn't realized that it came because of intentional choices. I choose to laugh, play, dance in the sunshine, and delight because if I don't choose to live this way no one else is going to do it for me.
17 comments:
Thanks so much, Relyn!
It is so fun to share in this special place. You delight my days each time I visit here with your lists, your photos, and your Sunday poems.
What a wonderful attitude. I need to be more Marilyn in my approach to life. Perhaps I need a bracelet that says: WWMD?!! Now I'm off to visit her blog. Thanks.
I also like Marilyn's approach to those big birthdays. It is a bit depressing when all of a sudden you are retired. That only lasted a couple of months for me. Thanks for the uplifting post.
loved ones, tea, the outdoors
and beauty....a woman after my own heart:)
joy to both of your beautiful hearts,
Jennifer
That last line is so true - a great reminder of taking responsibility for ourselves. Another lovely and life-enhancing post.
Your blogger friend is an awesome lady, Relynn. I love her philosophy.
Sorry for the typo on your name..Relyn.
Intentional choices... I love that! What we choose to focus on feeds us, and us it. Life is all about our choices... Such sweet wisdom shared, Marilyn... and thank you! You're FAB at 70! I've been fortunate to know Marilyn a while thanks to blogging. And thank you for bringing her here, Relyn ((HUGS))
Marilyn makes the smartest choices I know and inspires others to do the same. A grand choice for your passionate bloggers!
What a great way you have of looking at life, Marilyn! I thoroughly enjoyed the post. Thanks, Relyn, for sharing her with us!
You all make a "girl" feel so good by your wonderful comments. Thanks everyone for making my day special.
All I can say to your blog is "Amen."
You inspire me, Marilyn! I like that joy comes from intentional choices. I want to laugh, play, dance in the sunshine, and delight too.
Ah yes, intentional choices - those are the best and often produce the best results! Lovely to hear more about the path you've chosen, Marilyn.
It's true! Living with joy is most often a choice!
I've enjoyed "meeting" Marilyn through her blog this year. So nice to see her featured here.
Love this.
Everything is a matter of perspective, isn't it? We can turn it all around anytime we wish... by living with intention.
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