I have not actually set any so called New Year resolutions for myself for 2026. But I have decided to allow myself to grow and to be conscious of that growth. I want to evolve with intention, to be mindful of what I am thinking, and as a result become aware of what I am attracting into my life. I also want to practice staying in the moment, not rushing around competing with the clock and thinking about everything else but who or what is right in front of me. I remember one morning when I was working as a hospice nurse I was so caught up in all I had to do that day I actually left Our Treehouse with my nurse scrub shirt and jacket on, but I was still wearing my flannel pj bottoms! Fortunately for me there was a local medical uniform store near my first patient’s home and I did not have to drive back home. Obviously I was trying to carry too much on my plate.

It has taken a few years but I am much better about balancing my life. So a few days ago I decided to choose Joy for my companion as I drove to downtown Louisville because I had a scheduled appointment with my dentist. (No, I am not going to write a love scene again just to tease you. Love scenes are being written in my fictional novel about Jean the Nurse, and I am having so much fun writing them!) So! I have already learned I can pull up Joy inside of me by repeating the word in my mind over and over, and like anything else what I choose to focus on gets my attention. I was to find Joy all around me.

I decided to stop at a Dollar Store first to pick a up a couple of cards for friends to mail to them, to let them know I was thinking about them. As I walked across the parking lot I heard a two young women compliment another woman who was stepping out of her car. She was wearing a black and white checked coat.

“You look so pretty in that coat,” they said, all the while smiling, and just beaming at her.

“That is so nice of you! Thank you for saying that!” the woman replied to them. Her voice was warm Maple syrup, rich and full, sounding so real and sincere.

Next, the young man working at the cashier, well, he had the most beautiful almond shaped brown eyes. And he was so present in the moment and so nice to me.

“You have a great day, ma’am,” he said to me, giving me full eye contact with those beautiful eyes. And those eyes were just filled with happiness. I was already happy but his attitude made me even happier! And it really didn’t bother me he called me ma’am. I knew I was old enough to be his mother. :O)

I got back in my car, Silly Tilly, thinking how everyone around me seemed so joyful today. I drove to downtown Louisville and after parking my car walked down the sidewalk to the University of Louisville Dental School building. As I turned a corner a woman I would guess fifty to sixty years young was sitting in her parked car jamming to some music. I mean she was jamming! Her face was filled with Joy, and she was waving both arms all around! She was in her own musical world and having the best time. And as I headed on down the street here comes a man about the same age, driving a small golf cart on the sidewalk. He obviously was having so much fun, waving to everyone, including me, and his grin was as wide as the cart! It was a Joy just to watch him!

Then there was Dr. Andrew, the young dentist intern who works on my top teeth and adjusts my Invisalign trays. His face lit up when he saw me and I was happy to see him, too. He knows I am fascinated by dentistry and that in my next life I plan to be a dentist. I knew he had just returned from Florida to visit with his family for the holidays. He reported he had a great time and after we talked “a little shop” about teeth we discussed the NFL games we planned to watch in the playoffs. His team is the Buffalo Bills and he is highly aware mine is the Packers. May the best team win. And the Super Bowl is right around the corner! Another happy day ahead for this girl!

And yes! What you go looking for, what you put your focus on, really does get your attention!

c   Love, Joan