29/11/2015

A candle for joy

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the first of 4 Sundays, the first of the 4 magic weeks, the time, the "waiting time" leading up to Christmas. Today we put up the Christmas star in the windows and we start to decorate, a little bit. Today we light the first of 4 candles. Today we light the candle for "joy"


This year, joy, to me, means gratitude

This year, I smile as I light my candle, and the warmth is spreading in my body as I watch the yellow flame grow strong and the dark room gets a soft warm shade of light. I smile, because I feel peaceful, content and strong. And maybe you will smile, reading on now, because my gratitude list may be something you take for granted in your everyday life. I did not. I do not. Not any more. 

This year I embrace and appreciate these simple things. Because I did not always have them. Neither did I know I was suppose to. 

This year I do. Now I do. 

This year I light my candle for joy and I feel humble and happy that:  
  • I can dry my wet umbrella wherever I want to dry it
  • I can leave the crumbles at the kitchen bench (if I want to)
  • I can go out with my friends without checking my phone every second
  • I can decorate my home for Christmas today (if I want to) 
  • I can light a candle when and where I want, without anyone stopping me

I am grateful for: 
  • Having freedom to be me
  • My two amazing children 
  • My parents
  • My sister and her family
  • My special friend who has filled my heart with love and joy
  • My amazing friends who are with me through tears and laughter. My wing-women. One for all. All for one. Always. 
  • My network of blogger friends: you mean more to me than you will ever know
Small gestures. 
Intense joy. 

Light a candle for your blessings. Count them. Light a candle for gratitude. For joy. 

Happy advent.




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30 comments:

  1. Aditi29 November 2015 at 19:27

    Eli, I am so so happy for you! I am so proud of you my friend. May these candles spread warmth, love, joy and light forever and always! Hugs!

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    1. Unknown3 December 2015 at 20:43

      Thanks my sweet friend:-) Warm hugs back to you

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  2. bookworm29 November 2015 at 21:26

    In less than a week I will be lighting the candles of Hanukah, a holiday celebrating religious freedom. There is just something about candles - I loved to light them as a child, and I still do today. Sending a hope for freedom and peace back to you. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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  3. Unknown29 November 2015 at 21:39

    Blessings indeed, all of them. Sometimes it's all about the little things.

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  4. Indywrites30 November 2015 at 08:15

    Love this idea and gratitude with it. We just lighted candles for Diwali and this year, I plan to add candles to the lights of Christmas.
    True bliss is in the small things. Stay blesses Eli. Glad that you are back.

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    1. Unknown3 December 2015 at 20:44

      Thanks a lot Inderpreet:-) Happy to see you here. Hugs

      Delete
  5. Rhonda Albom1 December 2015 at 00:38

    The small spot of warmth and light that candles provide is just so welcoming. Happy advent to you, and may the rest of the season be joyous too.

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    1. Unknown3 December 2015 at 20:45

      Thanks dear Rhonda:-) As always, happy to see you here:-)

      Delete
  6. Vishal Bheeroo1 December 2015 at 15:07

    It's amazing to light the candle and ignite warmth cum tenderness in the heart. Happy advent Elli:)

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    1. Unknown3 December 2015 at 20:45

      Thanks my friend. All the best to you Vishal:-)

      Delete
  7. Dr Genevive Angela1 December 2015 at 16:25

    loved your post eli ! lighting candle is truly a beautiful and fills me with gratitude; every morning as I see the candles lit, I sit in silence and in awe just happy to breathe, grateful to be alive and grateful for the brand new day, thanks for sharing :)

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    1. Unknown3 December 2015 at 20:46

      Thank you so much sweetie:-) Warm hugs to you

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  8. the little princess2 December 2015 at 05:59

    Happy Advent Elli! I love the thought behind your idea! Indeed joy is in all things small!

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  9. Debbie D. 2 December 2015 at 16:32

    Happy (belated) First Advent, Eli ☺ May your joy embrace you and give you warmth. We all have much to be grateful for.

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    1. Unknown3 December 2015 at 20:47

      So true:-) Thanks a lot dear Debbie. Happy to see you here:-)

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  10. Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder4 December 2015 at 03:52

    Dearest Eli,
    First things first and that was taking your lovely FLAME in this unique votive holder with such great message onto my Pinterest with the link to this post!
    LOVE your words and yes, if one can stop and enjoy all those little things for what they truly mean; one is super rich!
    Sending you blessings.
    Mariette

    We are so happy with the news that Dad does not need heart surgery. Prayers being answered.

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    1. Unknown10 January 2016 at 20:09

      Dear Mariette, Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing:-) very happy to hear your good news. Big hugs back

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    2. Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder10 January 2016 at 22:41

      Blessings to you for the year 2016!

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  11. Arti6 December 2015 at 09:34

    So beautiful. I love practising gratitude too, dear Eli and I have such a firm belief in the magic that it contains. Your post truly warms my heart, I love the list that you've made here... it is so often the things that we take for granted are actually the ones that we need to be highly grateful for. Sending lots of sunshine your way happy Advent! :)

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    1. Unknown10 January 2016 at 20:10

      Thank you so much dear Arti, so happy you enjoyed reading my post. Always so happy to see you here. Sending you warm hugs my dear friend

      Delete
  12. Min plats i solen9 December 2015 at 09:17

    Sweet Eli. You always put a smile on my face. For your beautiful words with so much thought and most of all for your big, warm heart. You're a wonderful woman sweet Eli and I'm so glad our paths crossed in this big blog universe. The blog world need your big, warm heart.♥

    Take care my friend.

    Charlie
    xx

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    1. Unknown10 January 2016 at 20:12

      Awwwwwww, thank you so much my dear dear friend. Your kind words make me very happy and grateful to have come across a wonderful person like you. Warm hugs

      Delete
  13. Shanaya Tales14 December 2015 at 21:45

    Your posts are always so full of warmth and love, Eli. Wishing you the best this holiday season. :)

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    1. Unknown10 January 2016 at 20:47

      Thank you so much:-) Happy to see you here. hugs

      Delete
  14. Min plats i solen24 December 2015 at 01:32

    Happy Christmas sweet Eli.♥ I hope you'll have wonderful holidays together with your loved ones. Thank you for your always so kind and warm words. Both here and at my place. And for beautiful friendship. You're a star my friend.♥

    Merry Christmas!

    Charlie
    xx

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  15. Pratikshya15 February 2016 at 05:40

    I too like making a gratitude list.. count my blessings.. :) love the candle..

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