Joy versus happiness, have you ever discussed the difference between the two? I know I have. I've also heard some good messages and sermons on the concept that happiness is different than joy. Let's take a peek at their definitions and see is there is an obvious difference to offer clarity.

Happiness ~ noun
1. the quality or state of being happy.
2. good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy.
Joy ~ noun
1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation
2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or  someone greatly valued or appreciated:
3. the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.
4. a state of happiness or felicity.
Joy ~ verb (used without object)
5. to feel joy; be glad; rejoice.
Joy ~ verb (used with object)
6. Obsolete. to gladden.
Definitions from Dictionary.com

What stands out to you the most after looking at the definitions? For me, it is that "happiness" is a "state of being happy" versus the "a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight" that we find in joy. Joy isn't just a state of being, it is a source for us. Can you imagine if everyone went through their day looking to this source of Joy. My joy is found through my relationship with God and my Christian faith.

My daughter and students make me happy yet the joy I have as a source to my being allows me to be happy even when life isn't too "happy", you know what I mean? It's not easy but oh my gosh, it is so worth it...

I have a few ideas buzzing through my mind on what to write next. I shared snip-its last week. A week later, I'm happy to say I've dedicated more time to writing and the inspiration and motivation returns in leaps and bounds. I look forward to seeing where it takes me and which book draws my attention the most. I'll keep you posted, for now. I'm happy to be writing and looking forward to the next time I hear the tapping of the keyboard. If you are a writer, can you relate?

​To write might not be your thing but everyone is working on something. You might be painting, coloring, building, designing, developing, changing, or who knows...the sky is the limit.

To write or not to write...

To sew or not to sew...

To read or not to read...

To do school work...or do school work.

To do laundry or to do laundry.

To put my feet on the floor or stay in bed.

Life is full of choices yet some are not really a choice. To do go to work or do the laundry is a choice, I could choose to skip school and let the laundry pile up BUT this would both be unproductive and grave consequences. One I'd lose my job and be left to wallow surrounded by piles of dirty and stinky laundry.

The first decade after Heidi's kidnapping I had to make a conscience effort to put my feet on the floor and "be" and "do". Thankfully, as my faith in God was restored, so was the gumption, energy, motivation, and inspiration to not only put my feet on the floor but to look forward to each new day. Tomorrow is a gift, a gift not everyone will be blessed with. This is how I try to look at the next minute, hour, day, week, and year. 

Facebook is a nice reminder to us all. As different memories appear on your wall, some are shared instantly because of the joy and happiness that fills your heart upon remembering that moment. Others have the opposite effect, filling our eyes with tears. Regardless, Facebook helps us to remember the precious gift each moment is.

To look back and recognize my first book released in 2013 and now I have seven, with contributions to three different anthologies. I'm a blessed woman. When my Mom passed away, a lot of my inspiration and motivation to write went with her. I still want to inspire, uplift, and encourage others yet to think of my Mom not reading the first draft is sad to me...BUT my Gram (and my mom for this  much) for say, GET OVER IT AND GET WRITING! 

I'm happy to say I am writing. I set a LOFTY goal for myself and instead of writing 1,500 a day in April, I think I've written 2,500 total. I have a book idea I'm toying with to gift my class this year but can't seem to focus on its creation - not that I don't adore them or for a lack of ideas...it's a lack of discipline.

It's time to get disciplined and find balance while reestablishing better quiet time habits and dedicating time to utilize my gifts with passion.

Life-ing ~ Writing ~ Working ~ Sewing ~ Teaching ~ Leading ~ 

 Some will count today as the fourth day of break since we had Friday off for Good Friday but I don't start my vacation until Sunday evening, the first night I don't have to set an alarm for school the next morning. My family teases me but in my mind, this past weekend was just that, a weekend, now I'm on vacation until this next Sunday.

Now that I've bored you with my vacation start and end time, let's get to it. Usually I have color-coded list written on chart paper and hung up in our living room. The must-do, hope-to-do, and in-a-perfect-world-to-to lists organized by day and and times. This helps me keep my focus and stay on task. This year I'm trying something new...no chart paper lists! No color coding! No obligations, except my dentist appointment and tutoring this morning. Let vacation begin.

I've accomplished a lot today and look forward to the open time before me over the next six days. My new response is "I'll let you know", "No thank you", or "Can't help with that at this time"...or something along this line. 

I've been preaching to my child about doing too much and burn out but when I looked in the mirror last week as the count down to break became a reality I saw something in my reflection...burn out! Instead of telling my daughter to say no and allow more free time in her schedule, I need to model it. It's a fact, our kids listen better with their eyes than their ears...

Last Monday, April 3, 2017, represented the 23rd anniversary of my little sister, Heidi M Allen's kidnapping. She disappeared on Easter Sunday in 1994 from the D & W Convenience Store located at the intersection of State Route 104 and County Route 104b in the upstate New York town of New Haven. She remains missing more than two decades later...

Her family, friends, community, and so many others continue to pray and hold out hope to the answer of my parents' first question...Where's Heidi?

The photo in today's blog is of the Heidi Allen Remembrance Garden, located at the very location she was kidnapped from twenty-three years ago. It is a symbol of hope, love, and community. This year's rain surrounds it with water and made the spring clean up a challenge but with rubber boots on, flowers and a wreath brighten the garden and corner.

Hope for Heidi and and all the missing remains...

Some days are more difficult than others, this is a fact. But to know that each day I put my feet on the floor and have the opportunity to share about the joy and smile Heidi offered to everyone she met, the easier it is to keep moving forward. Last week was a busy and emotional week, and one full of #HopeHeidiAllen and encouragement for our family and community.

​Stay tuned to learn more about the blessings in the midst of the pain...they are always there, we just need to look closer.

I have good news to share, I'm writing again. Woot Woot! Thanks to our school's involvement with the Leader In Me, I set a writing goal for the month of April. I have a couple different book ideas I'm working on during my writing time with a goal of having at least one in first draft format by 12:00 a.m. on May 1st, 2017. 

Thanks to the rain this afternoon, our plans were postponed so I set up my laptop and writing stuff and "assumed the position", the writing position that is. If you are a writer then you know the excitement and exhilaration to hear the keys on the keyboard tapping away again. 

One of the stories I'm working this month is actually an older story, one I started in 2007. It might not go any farther than my computer screen or possibly to a few friends, but you never know. It's fun to play with words and a fictional story. 

The other is a children's book inspired by a fabulous group of kids. My goal is to have at least a proof book available before the last day of school so I can read it to the kiddos at school. God uses them to inspire me to write.

With this being said, it's back to reaching my writing goal for the day, 1,500 words a day. Hmm...I set a lofty goal for myself. My hubby encourages me to adjust my daily goal to 1,000. I told him I would consider it after the weekend, after I attempt to make up the words I'm short.