One day – while on holiday recently – my husband declared that – ‘it had been a magical day’.

Now – although I had planned the day with his happiness in mind – I knew that it was impossible for anyone to fully – ‘create a magical day’ – and in fact – the day wasn’t – ‘perfect in every way’ – but – the magic happened for him.

I love it that – even when we would consider things to be ‘imperfect’ – and even when difficulties arise – the ‘magic’ can simply happen – filling us with joy.

I have found that there are times in life – when everything feels good – when I would say – “Today is a good day” – when even the small things – the simple things – bring me joy – and I revel in it.

Only the other day I listened to someone recite the following poem – ‘Joy Comes Back’ – by Donna Ashworth – I just loved it.

“When you finally realise – that joy is less fireworks – more firefly — Less orchestra – more birdsong —She will come back – much more often — For joy will not fight with the fast pace of this life – she is not in the shiny – or the new — She breathes in the basic – simmers in the simple – and dances in the daily to-and-fro — Joy has been beckoning you – for many a year my friend – you were just too busy doing – to see — The very next time joy wraps her quiet warmth around you – as the garden embraces your weary body in it’s wildness — Tip her a nod – she doesn’t stay long – but if you are a gracious host – joy comes back”

I can relate to so much – that Donna expresses here – and how important it is for me – to recognise what ‘joy’ truly is – and to look out for her – as – ‘she simmers in the simple’ – and – ‘dances in the daily to-and-fro’.

I need to remember – to ‘tip her a nod’ – or – as this quote puts it – to – “Choose joy – don’t wait for things to get easier – simpler – better – life will always be complicated – learn to be happy right now – otherwise – you’ll run out of time”.

If there is one thing that I have learnt – it’s the importance of the simple things – and the older I get – the more I appreciate them.

They are those things that bring me the most joy – and that feed my soul.

And so – my ‘prayer’ – is this – “May the joy of simple things – colour the canvas – of your soul”.

Blessings – Lois