Have you got the JOY?

And so this is Christmas...and what have you done?

Ah John Lennon. Posing the BIG questions. What have you done this year? Gosh, I can't remember last week, let alone the last twelve months. I have really had to sit and think about it.

What have I achieved?

Together with those nearest me, I have managed to restore that which was broken.
I have found the JOY in situations that I thought could never be happy.
I have run a household which was often stressful, sometimes frantic but ALWAYS filled with LOVE.
I have sponsored a child and welcomed a family into our own even though we have never met.
I have supported friends through hard times and grief through love, finances and food.
I have lost weight and gained life.
I have increased my level of fitness and reduced my time on the couch.
I have made more time for one on one with each of my babies - attention they have relished!
I have made more time for me and more time for GOD. An area of ever evolving growth.
I have learned a great deal about how to be a better wife, mother and friend. And I'm still learning.

I am proud of me. I am proud of who am, how far I've come and what I have achieved.

Being truly honest, I'm no angel. I still have such a long way to go. But isn't that what life is about? An ever progressing journey of growth, change and learning?

I found myself this year, along with the help of Sunny Mummy , making more time to 'look after my children's mother'. In the same vein, I was also 'looking after my husband's wife'. When you realise that you can't look after or love anyone else before you look after and love yourself, your whole world changes.

I was able to achieve all of the above because I first looked after me. I made time for me. For doing what I love. For friends. For blogging. For reading. For running. For cooking. For unapologetic facebook time. I made time for doing what I loved which meant I was a happier, less stressed version of me - ready to take on the world.

I really think it's paid off.

I have been able to find the JOY in most situations. I'd like to say ALL, but I'm human. But increased JOY is something for a while there I thought I would never again achieve. But here I am finding JOY in the journey.

And so this is Christmas.... and here's what I've done. I've put this wreath on my front door. A reminder every time I walk in to my home, to find the JOY in the every day stuff, as well as the extraordinary. It also serves as a reminder that every time I walk out the door, I need to take the JOY with me and share it with everyone I meet. Even if it's a smile for the checkout chick at Woolies or a hug for a friend. No matter what form it takes, JOY is not something you keep to yourelf. Share it!

Think BIG. Start small.