The interior of the dome of the Duomo in Florence, Italy
[cathedral] joy.
I have been privileged to see more than a few cathedrals. I studied abroad in Spain during college and passed by a stunning cathedral nearly each day at the city center and had the opportunity to visit many on our weekend trips around Spain and sometimes beyond.
One of the classes I took was art history and we would wander the streets of Granada each week learning about the styles of architecture and art that emerged at different periods of history (which was in itself SO cool, because I definitely couldn't have walked the streets of Champaign, Illinois where I spent the rest of my college days looking at anything nearly as historic). There is something special about being able to experience the places and culture you are learning about. It changed me forever.
I heard a brilliant woman speak this week about the concept of "cathedral thinking". When they began building the cathedral in Florence (the Duomo), with its breathtaking dome, they didn't yet have the technology to know how to finish a dome. However, that didn't keep them from starting to build the cathedral...having faith that those who would finish it would figure out how to have the skills to do it.
It takes time - and often many failed attempts - to learn new skills and to create beautiful endings.
There is joy in creation. There is joy in failing, but learning a bit to do it better next time.
There is hope in cathedral thinking. You may not know yet how to get life where you want it to be (or where you imagine it can be), but I hope it doesn't keep you from moving one small step forward today in creating it.
Imagine our world without many people before us who embraced "cathedral thinking" - we'd miss out on so many incredible discoveries and creations. I hope you will be a "cathedral thinker" in your own realm. It will benefit us all!
With joy,
jamie
joy.delivered
I am continually in awe of the incredible volunteers that show up month after month to make these deliveries happen!
Thank you - I truly couldn't do this work without you.
One of my favorite parts of these pictures in the wheelchair used as a cart...if you know, you know! Hospital staff members are some of the most creative people I know.
assembled.joy
Thank you to Mrs. O'Brien's 4th grade class from Manteno Elementary School for coming to our headquarters to assemble snack boxes. We have never had a group come for a field trip and it was so much fun to have them!
community.joy
I'm grateful to Kankakee School District 111 for gathering community partners to connect and share a breakfast together. There is so much joy in what these individuals are doing to serve our community and kids in amazing ways. It was lovely to be in their company and learn more about what they do.
Thank you to students from the Bishop McNamara Catholic School 4th grade class for their selection of Mattea’s Joy for the proceeds of their Economic Goods & Services Fair.They sold handmade bracelets, jewelry, candy salad, bookmarks, comic books, painted nails, hand massages, and hair braids to raise the funds. How fun!
We are so grateful to these budding entrepreneurs.
Run for joy!
Put on your cape and join us for a fun morning supporting families with hospitalized kiddos.
[multiplying] joy. This work began with Gary (my husband) and I thinking that it might be nice to go back to the hospital where we spent many months beside our daughter, Mattea, and make the load a little lighter for other families that were there. We brought food...who doesn't love free food?! We thought... One less meal to think about One less decision to make One less burden for families Little did we know that our joy would be multiplied. We learned the meaning of give joy. feel joy. as...
[autumn] joy. Can you feel the cadence of life slowing as we enter fall? I can! Crisp air and early evenings give my body a signal that it's ok to put the pjs on sooner, cut the to-do list shorter, and find something good to pop into the oven (I made banana bread this past week - I think the smell made me as happy as the taste! I couldn't find my favorite recipe online, but here's one that is pretty close that has lots of rave reviews if you need one). Slowing down also gives me space (like...
[book] joy. books. My love of books runs deep. There is something special about the smell of a bookstore and the thrill of experiencing a new adventure or idea that will shape who I am becoming within a book. Equally, I love the feeling of creating something new! This book launch party invite that I am sharing with you above is "hot off the press" and it was an item on my to-do list today that made my heart leap a bit with excitement. I bet you have things that you create day to day that make...
