My joyfilled planner

I have been using a planner as a prayer journal and a place to write about what the Word of God teaches me for quite some time. It reminds me to be intentional about looking for joy in my life on a daily basis. That joy comes first through a relationship with God. Once that relationship is in order, then it is easy to see the hand of God all around me - in His creation and in His influence in the events that happen in my life.

Today our world is so often filled with evil, sadness and corruption that we can grow afraid. When we stand on His Word and strive to be more and more like Him in the small, daily things in our life, then the fear lifts and a sense of peace can ensue even when things in the world are less than peaceful.

It is God who created us and who offers us salvation and grace. It is ours to accept and walk day by day.

I have found great joy in Him as I worked to create images that might grace a joy filled planner. I pray that this endeavor may bring a spot of joy into your life also. You are invited to come and see the planner inserts I have been working on for the last several months and to share with me in making the search for joy in God's world an intentional part of your life. Come and visit my Etsy shop - Planning4joy!

I would be most blessed if you would share it with your friends! Thank you.
Here is my planner for you to see.

What does a trash can have to do with joy?

Every artist's studio has some place to put scraps and trash.  On a trip to my local hardware store I found the perfect place for my trash - a mini version of a garbage can! I love it. It made me smile the moment I saw it. Joy! It is so much fun to have in my art space.

The trash can has been a part of my professional voice for many years. I saw so many people who had experienced deep pain, hurt, embarrassment and even abuse who had defined themselves by that pain inflicted on them by others. 

That pain lived in their hearts and minds. Often it ruled everything in their lives. The loveliness and strength, the gifts and talents of these people were often hidden by the scars of past pain. I have been there. You may have been there too.

For a time pain and hurt serves as a helpful reminder to a person of the dangers that often exist in the world of relationships. What once served a good purpose grows until it becomes the cause of pain itself. Enter the trash can. 

In therapy, in coaching and yes, even in your daily planner, the trash can becomes a way to intentionally choose to discard pain so that joy may take its place. For many years I have encouraged my clients to thank the pain for serving to help keep them safe. Then choose to discard the pain and choose to replace it with a new joy.

In the Midori style inserts I have created for my planner, a small sketch of a trash can is always there in the weekly sections. On it I write the negatives that I am choosing to discard that day or week. Then I write the plan I have to look for joy to replace that old pain.

What needs to be intentionally discarded in your week? How will you plan 4 joy?