Stepping into Joy

I am not going to write about my problems or complaints today.  I am going to share a simple thing that my family did that has set about positive change.

When we moved into our one bedroom, we did so in a hurry.  We needed to get all settled before our academic jobs started and I was still casting "Mi America." The apartment wasn't vacated in time and then it needed an overhaul, so we had really only a day or two to get everything set up.

We had the living room set up in the most likely set-up based on walls and where the cable hook-up was.  It worked fine, however, it didn't do the glass slider and all the views it had to offer, any justice.  It left our backs toward the sky and no efficient play space for our Little Man.  His toys were jammed behind the sofa and sometimes would fall off the bakers rack and on to our heads.  He was playing in front of the TV and building his train sets in the walking space and right by the entrance to the apartment.

On Sunday, after a drive through the snowy countryside, we came home and moved a few things around. We arranged the sofa and television in a smaller area, so it became it's only little nook, or viewing area.   We decided that this area is for watching and working only.  No playing, only sitting, working or watching.

By making this change it created a huge amount of space in front of the glass slider for Little Man to play.  His toys are more accessible and now he can set up his sprawling train set-ups and detailed cities with plenty of room.

We can all see the outdoors and the sky because there isn't a large darkly colored sofa blocking the  view.  The current placement of the sofa creates a hallway to the other part of the house, making it seem bigger.  It also creates a separation of living space from the doorway.  Now the entrance of the apartment is into the hallway the sofa creates.

When all the toys are put away, there is a large area of space on the floor to do Yoga, Shiatsu, exercise, do a puzzle or play a board game.  This is where the joy comes in.

Last night when we arrived at our 'new' home, we ate dinner.  Then both Daddy and Mommy went into the playspace with our Little Man.  We got a balloon from his birthday party left overs and played different games with the balloon.  The Little Man giggled and giggled until he fell over.  Mommy and Daddy got to move around and laugh which replaced our old habit of slumping on the sofa and watching our boy play.

Next time we got out the game of Cooties and played through the whole game... what fun! At the end of the game we put on "Curious George," in our 'movie pit.'  We watch George to calm our boy and get him ready for sleep.

Once our Little Man was bathed and in bed,  Daddy gave Mommy some Shiatsu in our space.
Then we got to watch a movie in our 'movie pit.'

By making one simple change, we added room for a more joyous and lively routine.  I am looking for other changes we can make to step into more JOY!