In our world today, there are pressures on all of us which are exasperated by the extreme communication systems that did not exist even 15-20 years ago. This wealth of easy to obtain information (and disinformation, too) leads to an overload of external forces making it “tough” to realize what is truly happy making as opposed to an “artificial” contentment. As generations age. a “recognition” creeps into our consciousnesses (or unconsciousness, in some cases). My purpose as an “old guy” facing the monster of creating a website (blog) is to affect an interactive discussion of Joyful Living. I am hoping to define a difference between being happy (so many folks are) and being JOYFUL (not as many are)-a new pick-up truck will bring happiness, but probably not real JOY! One of my favorite sayings is “Delusion works for me”, while in truth I consider my self to be happy but, more importantly, truly Joyful. I keep up with current events, but have learned how to separate the things that I can control from the “stuff” that I deem “silliness”. Some of these tools include:

• Getting out in Nature (yes, capitalized) through photography and camping

• “ME” time, afternoon tea time

• Lots of “kitchen” time

• Loving and being loved by pets

• Giving back-volunteering

• Absolutely not letting “other’s” values have a bearing on mine
• A belief that gentleness and caring is so much more powerful than machismo and meanness

  I have led an interesting (and sometimes challenging) life so far, see About Me for the full story. Following various paths has led me to be who I am today-I play the “old guy” card regularly, but I am ONLY 74 years on this rock flying through space.

  My intent is to write articles that spark thought and imagination-they are very different concepts- with the purpose of creating a community where thoughts and desires are discussed in a free and non-judgemental atmosphere so we all can celebrate JOYOUS LIVING. Feeling (imagination) -from the heart- should always trump (a card playing term) thought (from the head)-Heart beats Head, hmmm. It may sound like I am an old hippy-I was too busy in the ’60s and 70’s with creating a home and family, also being a jock to “DO” hippy.

  Questions for consideration;

  Why is black such a favored non-color to wear?

  Why do so many people have pick-up trucks (it’s a western thing maybe) as urban vehicles?

  Why would venturing on foot lead to exploring the world around us at a more intimate level than gas propelled conveyances (oopps, maybe judgemental on my part)?

  Do restaurants really serve better food than we do at home?

  Would “giving back” (volunteering) be a joyous endevour?

  Would, maybe, a camera be more fun than a phone or a gun “out there”?

  What is the difference between want and need? Could this exploration lead to some revelations about JOY?

  And so on, and so on…

  In my life’s experiences, I have met many folks who are having a difficult time with JOYFUL LIVING due to issues of the past. Many years ago I ran across a fer words of wisdom (author unknown) that went something like this:

Yesterday is history

Tomorow is unknown

Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.

  Our previous experiences always need to be addressed, lessons learned and adopted as appropriate-then to move on from (to dangle a participle). Joy is not, often, found in the past. Living in expectations or fears of the future seldom (never?) lead to JOY. Celebrating now (even if challenging new lessons need to be learned)is where JOY lives! Oh boy, what just got into me just now?

  In the ’70s, a fellow named Graham Kerr had one of the early PBS Saturday morning cooking shows on TV- the Galloping Gourmet. After his wife’s heart issue in the ’90s, he changed how he looked at food preparation. He created great food without the fat, alcohol etc (still not my style)and espoused a concept where people would take his recipes and techniques to make them their own. He called it spring boarding. I wish this idea to be the basis of my writings in Joyful Living with Terry.

  Thank you for getting through this first post (if you did, if you didn’t then you would not see this).

Please ENJOY all you do, Terry