The Joy List

When you have a chronic pain disease like crps; there are times when you get despondent over the changes the disease causes to your mind and body.  There are the times when it is easy to curl up inside yourself and hide from the world.  It is easy to block out your family, other loved ones, your responsibilities and your problems.  Sometimes it is hard to bounce back from these episodes but I use a short cut to help me bounce back faster.... the joy list.

The joy list is a simple way of reminding yourself that there are things that make your life worth living despite the pain and suffering you are going through.  Creating a joy list is easy.  All you need is a small notebook and either a pen and pencil.  You simply make a list of all the things that bring you joy.

Here is a sampling of my joy list:

• Gerber daisy's
• The smell of cut grass 
• The smell of bacon in the morning
• The sound that rain makes against the house
•  Ozzie, my dog
• Picnics in the park
• Roses
• Unexpected presents
• Christmas morning
• Helping others
• Working in the garden
• BBQ Potato Chips
• Fresh fruit
• Touring Historical Sites
• Chicken Livers
• Watching movies
• Fires in Winter
• The taste of a grilled steak
• Fried Crab Claws
• The Bright Star Restaurant
• Davenports Pizza
• The smell of a new car
• Sun rises
• Sun sets
• A long hot bath
• The Ballet
• Watching Alabama Football
•  Going to garage sales
• Shopping at thrift stores

I add to my joy list all the time; whenever I remember something or experience something that brings me joy.  When I am feeling low I simply pull the list out and read it.  It never fails to make me smile and remind me that life is good.

It can be hard; living with pain.  It's easy to forget that life is good; that there are things out there that can make you smile and laugh.  Using the joy list is a tool to help remind myself of those times when the pain blocks almost everything else out. Why not try it and see!