Welcome back to Just Keep…Being!

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“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be. We are not wise and not very often kind. Much can never be redeemed. Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimes something happens better than all the riches or power in the world. It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case. Whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.”

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I am not a big fan of poems, but this one entitled “Don’t Hesitate” (Mary Oliver) got to me. I love the sentiment it expresses. And, because of the state of our world and the fact that we are entering a holiday season, we all need a reminder that we should fully embrace... JOY! JOY sometimes arrives infrequently, but boy is it necessary. It’s good for our mind, body, and soul.  JOY is something we need to wholeheartedly cherish and unabashedly share. So, take some deep breaths, get out in nature, spend time with friends and family,  and enjoy JOY! 🌟

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And, if you need a little help finding JOY….some light reading of an upbeat blog might be just what the doctor ordered!  Take a few moments to find out why I love our UPS delivery person; why you should be eating the food on your plate in a certain order; why I benefited greatly from one of my favorite childhood hobbies; and why being a great “monkey” is my goal for 2025! Intrigued? Read on! 

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Also,  it wouldn't be November if I didn't share my 🎁”famous”🎁 style and gift idea lists for the holidays! I really love my picks this year so hopefully, you can alleviate a bit of your shopping stress by perusing them. My personal favorites are the $35 (!!!) dress from Target and the animal-themed holiday coasters from Tuckernuck. Both give me much JOY!

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Happy Holidays! Enjoy reading and make sure you find JOY in every bite of those gingerbread cookies this year, even the crumbs!

Jen XOXO