25 Comments
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Ann Collins's avatar

Thank you for this contagious offering of joy, Manuela! Here’s a tip for you that has been very effective for me in games of family poker: suddenly ask a momish question in the middle of a hand like “Is Four Kings better than a Full House?” Everyone will fold and you win the hand with your random assortment of cards. hee hee! they never know when I am bluffing 😊

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Manuela Thames's avatar

Omg, this made me laugh, especially the expression “momish question”. My boys would totally call it that. :)

What a great tip!! I will try it and then let you know how it went.

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Doug Jonas's avatar

Beautiful images and thoughts here, Manuela, and that Mary Oliver poem is one of the best possible wake-up calls!

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Manuela Thames's avatar

Thank you!

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Dan Jandl's avatar

Beautiful images and words, Manuela. Much appreciated.

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Manuela Thames's avatar

And I appreciate your comment. Thank you!

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Alice Thames's avatar

Such beautiful pictures that bring me joy!! The joy of sharing my birthday. 🎂 watching them grow to be such wonderful young men!! JOY!!!

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Manuela Thames's avatar

Thank you! Yes.

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Davor Katusic's avatar

It's wonderful when happiness appears out of nowhere.

When that happens to me, I try to consciously recognize what caused it—

so that in the future, I might be able to provoke joy again. 😊

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Manuela Thames's avatar

Thank you! Yes, definitely.

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

Thanks Manuela, I needed this sort of reminder that joy comes from the smaller details that truly matter to us. I'm glad you're feeling better too!

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Manuela Thames's avatar

Thanks, Xavi!

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Todd Haughton's avatar

Lovely images, and I’m grateful for the joy they brought me today!

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Manuela Thames's avatar

I am very happy that it brought some joy to you. If we keep sharing joy, it will spread.

I have to remind myself of that, too. Thank you so much for your support!

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

I needed this, Manuela. Thank you for the reminder! Joy for today: the moment I opened the shades after getting out of bed. It was sunny with clear skies, the morning light filtering through. Made me smile!

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Manuela Thames's avatar

Stella, I am so glad to hear it!

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Lin Gregory's avatar

Beautifully expressed Manuela. Sometimes, in challenging times, we need these little reminders that we have so much joy around us. Love, family, creativity and nature always brings the joy back into my life when I get overwhelmed by the mad world around me... I remind myself to choose love not fear😊

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Manuela Thames's avatar

It truly is a mad world, and it certainly has its effects on me, and I do think it is important to care while at the same time not let anyone steal joy, creativity, and love.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

It is so easy to miss those tiny crumbles of joy when everything seems so dark and hopeless. I am glad you were able to find joy this week! Good luck with the poker game later today! ;-)

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Manuela Thames's avatar

Haha, thanks! We did play and it went ok. I didn’t loose everything… :)

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Nacho Dramis's avatar

That amount of Joy is way more than a few crumbs! Lovely wealth of Joy.

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Manuela Thames's avatar

Love the expression “wealth of Joy”. Thank you!

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Karin Whittemore's avatar

Another lovely writing Manuela.. I love the concept of Joy in these troubled times. You certainly seemed to have found it multiple times. Thank you so much for sharing and making us all aware that it is indeed, the little things... the crumbs that can move us into Joy.

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Manuela Thames's avatar

Thanks, Karin!

It truly was not easy to find the crumbs, but when I thought about it and wrote it all down, it filled me with joy once more.

I hope you are well despite the utter chaos.

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Karin Whittemore's avatar

don't my best.. marching on Saturday helped to be inspired and be with like minded people. it is indeed.. troubling times.

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