Week 34 - what's on your minds, Ian and Minako?

Edited BY


GP Kennedy


Ian and Minako, Tokyo, Japan



Joy and gratitude are on our minds.


 You may have noticed that we are a very positive couple. Of course, we've been recording life in Japan during this pandemic so that’s not all good and it’s far worse in many other parts of the world.


But we don’t dwell on the past or the negatives.


We try to focus on the present and look forward to the future with optimism.


 Gratitude. We are grateful that we are in a safe, warm, dry home surrounded by good, kind, generous neighbors and friends at a safe distance.


 We are grateful that our families are also well, caring, and keeping in touch.




We are grateful to the farmers for continuing to provide us with all the food we could wish for along with the shop workers, transporters, delivery people, and everyone else involved.


There are so many people we should appreciate; utility workers, transport staff, health and social service workers.


Also, artists and creatives of every kind are keeping us informed and inspired.


 We read that according to some research, being grateful and showing gratitude or even keeping a gratitude journal is really good for us mentally and physically as well.


The Greater Good Science Centre offers a plethora of information on this subject. In a white paper titled, The Science of Gratitude (2018), they outline several benefits to a gratitude practice,

increased happiness and positive mood; more satisfaction with life; less materialistic; less likely to experience burnout; better physical health; better sleep; less fatigue; lower levels of cellular inflammation; greater resiliency; and encourages the development of patience, humility, and wisdom.




 And what about joy? Joy is not the same as happiness or pleasure which can both be temporary. Joy is more of a permanent mental attitude and like gratitude, it's a good feeling. Who wouldn't want to live a joyful life?


 The joy of waking up each morning, every day is a new beginning.


The joy of being immersed in nature as we take a jolly walk around the park before breakfast.


The joy of cooking and eating healthy and delicious food and drink seems to take up a major part of our days. The joy of art, laughter, reading.


 Knowing that even during the most difficult times, when we can't travel far or life is restricted, there is a joy to be found and things to be grateful for around us. The sun still rises and life goes on.


Happiness always!


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