Weekly Photo Challenge: Joy and … Happy New Year!
This past year I started with “dancing my troubles away.” I also danced for rain in Tucson while on Solana Beach last June. In both cases the dancing was not very effective – my troubles did not go away, and we did not get as much rain as we needed.
Every New Year is supposed to be joyful, and of course often it’s not. When you live long enough, you lower your expectations. To my surprise, this New Year’s Eve was more joyful than I anticipated. For that I am very grateful to Tucson’s Laffs Comedy Caffe! That is where I met the New Year of 2014 (http://www.Laffstucson.com).
Every one of us defines joy differently. However, we can all agree that a smile is a good indicator of joy … I mean a genuine smile!
It is hard not to feel the power of Rodney’s smile, which is totally disarming. He owns a one-man-operation restaurant on the main street of Wilcox, AZ. If you are ever in Wilcox, I am sure you will try his cooking as I did in November.
There is another type of smile full of joy that is not interactive, but self contained. This flower girl in a wedding ceremony on a Cape Cod beach just couldn’t resist the joy of touching and sifting the soft, warm sand.
I experience a similar feeling of joy while looking at luminaries – the characteristic holiday lights that are common in this part of the country – their soft glow evokes a soft smile.
Happy New Year 2014!
Let it glow with JOY for each of us!
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Text and photos copyright © 2013 by Alicja Mann
Explore posts in the same categories: Arizona, Celebrations, Essays, Events, Feelings, Photo essays, Photo stories, Places, ThoughtsTags: Cape Cod beach, celebrations, joy, luminaries, New Year’s Eve, postaday, smiles, Tucson Laffs Comedy Caffe, Wilcox AZ
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Alicja Mann Waves 
January 3, 2014 at 7:00 AM
Looking for joy is a great way to find it. Thanks for the smile!
January 4, 2014 at 5:42 PM
Thank you Marge!
I like what you stated –“looking for joy is a great way to find it.” I am trying….
With love, Alicja
January 3, 2014 at 12:48 PM
Beauty is all around…the unwritten message of all of your photo essays. Happy New Year. May it bring, warmth, happiness, health, success and a dearth of glutens. Keep up the good work.
Mark Trocchi
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January 4, 2014 at 5:44 PM
As always – many thanks, Mark!
All the best to you and your family in this brand new 2014!
Alicja
January 3, 2014 at 1:21 PM
A favorite: The Clown’s Prayer
As I stumble through this life, help me to create more
laughter than tears, dispense more happiness than gloom,
spread more cheer than despair.
Never let me become so indifferent that I will fail
to see the wonder in the eyes of a child,
or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged.
Never let me forget that my total effort is to cheer people,
make them happy, and to help them forget, even momentarily,
any unpleasantness in their lives.
And in my final moment, may I hear You whisper…
“When you made My people smile, you made Me smile.”
January 4, 2014 at 5:49 PM
Good to hear from you, Vince!
Thank you for this poem. I am sure that many are inspired by it. I wonder where did you find it, and who wrote it?
Thanks again and keep in touch – Alicja
January 4, 2014 at 9:53 AM
What a lovely post to bring in the New Year! May it be a happy one with much joy and laughter; filled with genuine smiles 🙂
January 4, 2014 at 5:52 PM
And what a lovely thing to say in response!
Thank you Robin – Alicja
January 8, 2014 at 12:41 PM
So glad you found yourself a joyful celebration, Alicja! I have never known anyone so dedicated to spreading joy and fostering well-being among family, friends, community. May you flourish in all your endeavors and be on the receiving end of much joy and care, acknowledgment and good fortune, in the year ahead.
It is one of MY life’s great joys to be your friend!
Love,
Marina
January 11, 2014 at 10:09 AM
WOW Marina! Your comment made me almost cry – I am speechless! Can’t imagine better wishes for this new 2014 than what you wrote above. These past two years were not the easy ones in my life, so perhaps with such warm and sincere wishes as yours, things will be much better and more joyful. I wish you the same – love, Alicja