What Brings You Joy?

"Joy does not arrive with a fanfare,
on a red carpet strewn with the flowers of a perfect life.

Joy sneaks in, as you pour a cup of coffee,
watching the sun hit your favorite tree, just right.

And you usher joy away,
because you are not ready for it.
Your house is not as it must be,
for such a distinguished guest.

But joy cares nothing for your messy home,
or your bank balance,
or your waistline, you see.

Joy is supposed to slither through the cracks of your imperfect life,
that’s how joy works.

You cannot invite her, you can only be ready when she appears.

And hug her with meaning,

because in this very moment, 

joy chose you."

-Donna Ashworth-

In a month that often seems harried with the impending holidays, social obligations, end-of-year expenses, and a general sense that there's never enough time to get it all done, it seems important to pause and reflect on things in our lives that truly bring us joy. 

First and foremost, watching our family members flourish and grow brings a continual sense of joy. When we started our business together, Ronnie's son, Colton was a teenager and Emma and Natalie (Evan's daughters) were small children. Colton is a grown man now, with a beautiful new wife and a successful career. Emma is thriving in her first year at college and Natalie is enjoying her high school years as a member of San Rafael High School's renowned cheer squad. Our significant others, Dave and John Anthony share our feelings of joy and gratitude for our families, both immediate and extended, who are scattered around the world, from San Rafael to San Diego to Italy and Great Britain, and spots in between. 

For Evan, joy comes from a busy social life with groups of girlfriends hiking, playing pickle ball, or attending a movement and sound experience in the park. Her batteries are restored most fully and joy is felt when friends surround her. 

Ronnie recharges with daily morning meditation. While always available for a good laugh or friendly chat, she, like many of us, needs quiet reflection to appreciate the joys in her life. She is often at her happiest busily working solo to ready the store for opening. Our business and the closeness of our community brings her joy, as do some well-deserved rest and solitude. 

Joy is a powerful force, one that can easily enhance the quality of our lives. By understanding what joy truly is and actively seeking it in our daily lives, we can achieve inner peace and happiness. The pursuit of joy is not just about feeling good; it's about creating a life that is rich, fulfilling, and meaningful. And for us, it's important to remember that joy is not a destination but a journey, and it's available whenever we choose to embrace it.

We hope you've enjoyed our blog this month. It's important to us that our followers and friends get a full picture of who we are as people, outside of our business. We sincerely wish you all a happy holiday, one filled with joy. 

xo,

Ronnie and Evan