Joy!

For 2022 I have chosen the word Joy as my word to live by.

Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”

Henri Nouwen

It seems to me that 2021 was a year filled with ups and downs and I struggled with that. Then I read a post by Psychologistmimi. She was choosing the word Joy for her word of 2022. This struck me as such a good idea. If I look for joy each day, if I choose joy, I will find joy in my life.

There is so much in my life to be joyful about. Our son joined us for two weeks over Christmas. We had not seen him for two years. It was a joy to spend time with him and find out who he is now. We shared the Christmas meal with our daughter and her husband and our Grandson. It was a joy to see our son and daughter together again.

After Christmas we drove down to Florida, a journey of 2,200 kilometers . It is a long and tiring drive but well worth it, What a joy it was to arrive in the sunshine and warmth. The first morning some of the locals passed by.

My friend Biasini had already arrived and was happily settled in to the beautiful barn where we will be riding and training with coach Belinda Trussell for the next three months. I have not been doing too much hard work with him yet. He had a 30 hour trip down here so he needs to acclimatize. Here we are walking down the driveway of the barn. We had been walking around the perimeter of the property.

He has a lovely stall with two windows. He enjoys looking out and seeing everything and he has two humans he knows, Super Groom Lexi and Therapy Person Lori, to look after him. If he knew the word joy I think he would tell us he has a lot of joy in his life at the moment.

So joy it is for 2022!

Comments

69 responses to “Joy!”

  1. natureandphotography Avatar

    Beautiful picture of Biasini! Have a new year full of joy!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you and I wish you a year of joy too.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. sundaewrites Avatar

    Joy- i love the word.. and I always connect it with gratItude.
    We always have an option to see the glass as half-full rather than half-empty. 😊

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you for this comment. I agree with the joy and gratitude connection!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Life with Alegria Avatar

    What a beautiful post. You’re right, joy is all around. We just have to notice it and accept it into our lives.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you and yes, we have to be aware that despite all the gloom and doom there is always joy there too.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. popsiclesociety Avatar

    Absolutely beautiful! I’m very glad! Joy it is then 🐴💝

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Ribana.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. thebuffninja Avatar

    I loved every bit of this post. We really do find what we focus our minds on. Joy… seems to be the perfect word for this year. 😌

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Afriant Ishaq Avatar

    Happy New Year and Christmas from me.
    May this year be filled with joy.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Manja Maksimovič Avatar

    Lovely. 🙂 To joy!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Tanooki Avatar

    Happy New Year Anne! Hope you the best in 2022🥳🎉💕✨

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you need best wishes for 2022 to you too ⚘😃🎉

      Liked by 1 person

  9. David Avatar

    Three months … sounds like a serious campaign. 😉

    Joy sounds like a good word to have. Enjoy the warmer climes. Biasini is mighty forunate to have snagged the corner stall with two windows.

    PS – Is it fair to say Belinda will be doing her share of competing while in Florida???

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Yes she is planning on national competitions and at least one CDI.

      Like

  10. rkrontheroad Avatar

    I’m inspired by your post and decision to seek joy in this new year! May the year be good to you and Biasini.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you . A happy and healthy New Year to you too!

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Avery Avatar

    Happy JOY! I missed that Belinda is down there, fun! But I will miss Luis’ (is that his name?) visualizations!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Your memory serves you well! His name is Luis or Lou to his friends. He is a good coach but due to Covid and no Florida last winter I have been with Belinda for the last two years continuously and just don’t feel I can change ships mid-Atlantic if you get what I mean.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Avery Avatar

        Hey, I get it!

        Liked by 1 person

  12. shankjoejoe Avatar

    Happy New Year, Anne!

    Joy is an excellent choice for the new year. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you and a Happy new Year to you too Joe.

      Like

  13. Emma Cownie Avatar

    Ah, so many lovely things. What a relief to see your children after so long! Happy New Year

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Happy New Year Emma and spend it in good health!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Diana Avatar

    Hi Anne! Happy New Year and I love your post and Joy is a great word to start the new year. I’m so joyful for you and Biasini making it safely on that long drive South. I agree with you with the somberness around, but we can find joy in so many things. I can see the joy with Biasini too!
    Your photos are so beautiful and I love the windows Biasini can look out and see around. It is so FUN to hear and see your rides and can’t wait to see your Florida adventures! Chloe, Murphy and I send warm hugs to you and Biasini! ❤️🐴

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Hugs to you all from Biasini and me to wish you a happy and healthy New Year!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. J.W.S. Avatar

    Biasini is a lucky horse with windows in his stall and a caring person in his barn.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Yes he is lucky! He has two people he knows and trusts as well as seeing me each day. He loves looking out the windows.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Marsha Avatar

    Hi Ann, how lovely all the joyful things in your life! It sounds like you are going to have a wonderful year. Best you are going to enjoy a few months in the warm weather. We woke up to 14 degrees outside this morning, but fortunately, we were inside. We are looking forward to a great new year, too. Talk to you soon! 🙂 Happy trails.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Yes I am going to focus on joy instead of all the somber news that is around now. We are looking forward to seeing Manny. I sent you an email with a few questions about his trip.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Marsha Avatar

        Oh great. I’ll check. I didn’t see it earlier. He can’t wait!

        Liked by 1 person

  17. workinacresnothours Avatar

    You & Biasini look so joyously chilled out. That was a long trip, where you are looks stunning. So look forward to reading more of your adventures over the new year. Much joy to you & yours & tell Biasini this whooman wishes him joy too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      I will give Biasini your message. Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Judy Avatar

    What a joy to read this! Biasini has a lovely home. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Yes he does. Thanks for commenting. Best wishes to you for a healthy and happy new year.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Judy Avatar

        Thank you. God bless.

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Laleh Chini Avatar

    Happy new year.💕

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Happy and healthy New Year to you Laleh!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Maureen Finnegan Avatar
    Maureen Finnegan

    Enjoy the next few months 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      I will it is so good to be out of the cold.

      Like

  21. misifusa Avatar

    Love the word JOY for 2022! May you have an abundance of it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you so much. I think we all need joy in this world. Best wishes to you for a joyful new year!

      Like

  22. Amy Avatar

    Joyful! I love the photo of Biasini! Hope to see more this year.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Amy! You will be seeing more of Biasini I am sure.

      Like

  23. Tranature - quiet moments in nature Avatar
    Tranature – quiet moments in nature

    Wonderful news Anne! Wishing you and sweet Biasini a year filled with joy! 🧡🐴🥕 xxx

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you so much Xenia. Happy and healthy New Year to you too from all of us here.🐴😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Tranature - quiet moments in nature Avatar
        Tranature – quiet moments in nature

        Thank you Anne! 💗 xxx

        Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      And a happy new year to you too James!

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Laura Wodar Avatar
    Laura Wodar

    It looks like Biasini has a fancy corner office….can’t wait to see you!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      HaHa! Yes he does! Are you living in Wellington now ?

      Like

  25. doar nicole Avatar

    Happy new year, wishing you much joy and beauty in the year to come!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you amd I wish the same for you Nicole.

      Like

  26. susiesopinions Avatar

    I am so joyful that you made it down here 🏝❤️🐴

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Susie!

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Paula Light Avatar

    Great idea to prioritize joy! Good stuff abounds if we look for it 💖

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      I felt like I needed to focus on joy Paula. There is too much news that is devoid of joy so I decided to find joy. Thanks for your comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. littlepiecesofme1 Avatar

    I love this word for the New Year. Much joy to you and Biasini in the New Year.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Subbashini Meenakshi Sundaram Avatar

    Yes I too believe Biasini will do that, definitely a joyful read. Love the second picture so much lovely to watch those trees.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      The trees are lovely and especially for me coming down from Canada where the leaves are all gone off the trees. Best wishes to you for a Happy New Year.

      Like

  30. Vicky Earle Avatar

    What a lucky horse!!

    Liked by 1 person

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