Very Punny

via me.me

I love to laugh. I like silly jokes and silly comedies. Puns seem be my favorite type of humor. Oscar Levant said, "A pun is the lowest form of humor–when you don't think of it first." Low form of humor or not, I love them.

Overall, my humor isn't all that sophisticated. My favorite movies are Airplane! and Clue, two movies full of slapstick and puns and silliness. And the humor is gentle and clean.

I often forget that laughter is a great medicine. When things seem tense or overwhelming, I need to just relax with a little humor. Luckily I married someone who gets my "low form" of humor and will laugh at my silly jokes and share pun memes with me. (See the one above. She shared it with me.)

God is the source of joy. I think He's the source of laughter, too. After all, He sent a baby to an elderly couple and named the baby "laughter" (Isaac). And often, when I'm dealing with a tense time in my life or facing some difficulty, a little bit of silliness will happen. Or something from the past will enter my mind. Or someone nearby will say, "Surely you can't be serious."

Sometimes I'm too serious or too involved in things. I want to look for the silly, the funny, the joy. I know there's a time for seriousness but underlying it all there is some joy in the journey.

Today's Joy: Laughter, especially at silly jokes

(Why was Six afraid of Seven? Because Seven ate Nine.)

Taking It Slow

When I sit down to think and write each day, I often already have an idea about what joy will show up in the post. I think during the day as things happen or note a particular event as the probable joy. I capture a photo for the post and think my work for that day is done. And so it was today. I walked to the computer with a particular thought in mind about what I would type here.

But as I thought back through the day so far, and begin to think again about the purpose of my joy journey, I wavered. My first thought was the easy idea for today.  I knew where I would be today and had "preplanned" what I would write. That wasn't what I hoped when I started this.

So I sat and thought for a minute. What happened today that really brought joy in an unexpected way. And I had it. It is another small thing and I'm learning that those small joys are really valuable ones.

Today I had to get up and be out of the house at a certain time. I always set my alarm early. I know that I tend to get ready slowly and ease into the day, so I plan that by letting the alarm ring and taking it slow.

This morning the alarm sounded. I turned it off. I rolled over and slept for a few more minutes. I enjoyed so much the leisurely approach to the morning.

I know that staying in bed a few extra minutes isn't that big of a deal. Now that I work freelance, I can work late, sleep in, make the hours as I choose.

But as I lay there this morning, I just enjoyed the extra time. I felt grateful that I didn't need to jump out of bed immediately and take on the day. I felt calmer and happier when I rose and dressed for the day. And I think the rest of the day just seemed more joy-filled.

Yes, it's the small joys that seem to give the most impact.

Today's Joy: A slower start to the day

My Favorite Sound

Today as I think back through what I did, I can find several joys weaving throughout the day. I sang and moved with preschoolers. I watched little ones chase bubbles and laugh. I filled my car with gas at a really great price. I talked with friends and spent the day with my wife. And I finished reading a book...just for fun.

But today I also got to hear my favorite sound. It's one I get the opportunity to hear regularly but today I think it was the one that gave me the most joy. I heard small children say my name.

There's nothing like a little voice calling, "Mr Scott!" I know it's not much, but to me it's often the best thing I can hear. When I hear my name and see faces filled with excitement - for no other reason than I walked by the room - my heart fills with more joy than I can name.

As I type those words here, it seems a little silly and inconsequential.

But I know inside that it's not at all. It is truly a gift to me.


Today's Joy: Small voices calling my name

A Little Time, a Little Ink

Since I'm a writer, I have looked for ways that my writing can support and encourage others. For the last couple of years, I try to send short notes to people each week or so. The last part of 2018 was a little crazy for me and I dropped this practice. I am beginning this year determined to get back into it. Writing and sending notes brings me joy.

I had already started again this year when something happened that affirmed this choice. I got a short note in the mail, thanking me for something I had done. That note brought me so much joy...on a day when sad things were winning. Getting notes brings me joy, too.

I will put that note in my "affirmation file," a place full of notes that I've received. I'll reread through them from time to time. In this stack are notes from children and from adults. Some are drawings, some one word or a few lines, some longer. But each one brings me a quick feeling of appreciation and joy. It's hard to realize that such a small investment - a little ink, a little paper, a little time - can produce such large feelings.

I'm committed even more to sending notes. It doesn't take me a lot of time but it can spread the joy that I experience each day.

"A person finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!" (Proverbs 15:23)

Today's Joy: A timely word, received in the mail

Resolutions? Goals? Or What?

It's the beginning of the new year and I've done nothing about it. Well, now, that sounds rather weird, doesn't it. I've done nothing to think about the new year. I haven't reviewed 2018. I haven't set any goals. I didn't choose a word for the year or list any resolutions.

And today I decided that I'm not going to do any of those things.

I'm not trying to be rebellious or difficult or countercultural or anything. I think to keep the finding the joy I need to let go of some pressure. And that's what goals do for me - turn on the pressure.

I've always heard that goals are a good thing and, believe me, I've worked them. I set goals in different areas of life. I make plans (and sometimes follow them). But whenever I set goals - no matter what they are or how hard I work - I always see the failures. The ways I didn't meet them.

So I have three things for 2019...things related to helping me continue to find joy. (Call them goals if you want but I'm not going to do so.)

1. I'm going to read. I have a reading target (not goal!) of 75 books this year. Will I make it? I don't know. But I'm going to read a lot and read lots of different things. Some of them may be good for me but some will be just for fun. I love to read and I'm going to do a lot of it.

2. I'm going to learn something new. I want to learn something I've never done before. I have a couple of ideas but haven't settled on anything yet. Maybe use a sewing machine and make a quilt. Maybe take lessons on a musical instrument. Maybe something else. (Not skydiving!) But I want to learn something completely new and find joy in being a beginner.

3. I'm going to do something that scares me. (Again, not skydiving!) That may be write a book. It may be to preach a sermon. (Yikes!) It may be something else entirely. But I want to push myself a little harder, beyond my comfort zone, and find joy in just trying.


Today's Joy: Skip the goals and try something new.

A Child's Perspective

I find it easy on Sundays to see joy. Each week I get to spend time with kindergartners, talking with them and learning with them. I get to hear what they are thinking. I can see them create and play and practice and learn and explore.

Today as Cindy was telling our Bible story about Joseph, she mentioned that he had 11 brothers. She asked, "Would you want 11 brothers or sisters?" The consensus was no. Then one child spoke up: "Yes. Then they could clean everything and I wouldn't have to do it."

Hmm. Good cause and effect thinking!

Laster Cindy said that Jacob gave Joseph a special coat. "He loved Joseph most," Cindy said. A child said quietly, "Uh oh."

I chuckled to myself but also thought that the child is beginning to put things together, draw conclusions, and understand implications. And I must say that "Uh oh" is the perfect response. Just look what happened later in Joseph's life!

A child was using the paint sticks, making designs on a coat shape. The child wanted to use every color we had. Opening and using a pink color, he remarked: "Oh...this is HOT pink!"

I love to see their thinking and the way they bring their own observations and experiences to the new things they encounter.

Lastly, a child was drawing on the white board: "Guess what I'm drawing?" I made a few (ridiculous) guesses. The answer: "God."

"Wow," I said, "I can't wait to see it." Later the child called me over and asked me to take a picture. (See above.) There was God...amongst the stars.

I love listening to children's thinking and seeing them grow.

Today's Joy: Seeing things through a 5-year-old perspective

Little Moments

I'm an indoor guy. I like to read and write and not sunburn so I stay indoors more than I do stuff outdoors. But I do like to watch things outdoors.

My desk sits in front of a window and that window overlooks our backyard. Behind our fence is a wooded area. I often look out over this area as I'm "writing" and "thinking." And sometimes little moments of joy appear.

I saw a beautiful blue bird sitting among the empty brown branches. I don't know where he came from; he's the only one I've seen in months. But the bright colors reminded me that even in the starker times, color can be found.

Mostly I see squirrels. They bound along the tops of the fences. They leap from tree to ground to tree again. Sometimes they romp alone and other times they have fierce games of chase and tag. They appear in all shades of brown or gray and a few even look black. I know they are working to survive each day - but what they do often looks like they are enjoying themselves while they do it. That's what this journey of joy is all about for me. Seeing the bright spots in the journey, not missing the joys as I move along each day.

I love having a window in my office. Seeing the sun or the rain (or sometimes the snow). Seeing leaves fall and squirrels romp. Watching for the robins to return in the spring. Looking out on the world that God created reminds me that those little moments of joy can appear at any time. Don't miss them.

Today's Joy: The little moments in nature that make me smile