A friend of mine, a week or so ago, said “you have a pretty good day set up for yourself.” What struck me was how we are the designers of our days.

Especially if you are healthy and retired!

It is a luxury to be able to move about your day without hinderance of illness. To make plans.

Often we let the days flow by undesigned -wasting minutes and then hours without realizing the luxury we possess.

I am in a good section right now. My body is able to do many things and my mind is at peace. The world as they say, “Is my oyster”.

I am also aware that health is fleeting as well as age. None of us know what awaits us down the road.

Which is why, IF you can, Design the Shit out of your days.

Add things that make you smile and tickle you inside.

How lucky am I – I can literally create what delights me. If I am not excited creating it – I know something is off.

I should use the same yardstick in measuring how the rest of my day goes. When I am designing it right, it should tickle me.

I am getting better at buying joy. I was at a fashion show a few weeks back and bought a mustard colored coat. The only reason, was because it delighted me. And that is reason enough!

I added these flags to our Art Trail – one flag for each family member – and when we were having our family pictures, the girls walked down to get our pictures taken there. But the little ones and I had to dance beneath them. Joy. A good design moment. (PC Amanda Velmer)

Most of my life I have lived conservatively – and needed to justify things – mostly for monetary value. But, can you put a dollar amount on joy?

If you buy for joy, it seems like it will multiply when using it. Add frivolous to your days.

Speaking of frivolous – I used to only use my time on things that seemed like work. I think in my early years my worth was on what I did and how I contributed- but in working ways.

I don’t think I was celebrated for doing things of joy. Or to do things that made my insides smile. I want to design moments that make me smile from the inside out.

Introducing the little ones to the forest and the joys of being outside, is a smiling moment. It does your soul good!

Perhaps the best is to design for the child inside of us. They loved seeing the flags and love the Art Trail – we added flowers that will bloom in the spring.

A friend reminded me we only have a set number of years/months or days to do the things we love. So each time I go to town, I usually skip down to the beach and do a beach walk and collect these fun rocks. One day they will bring me more joy as they cluster in my flower gardens. The joy of going miles out of my way to walk the beach offsets the price of gas.

Being aware that I am the designer of my day – I want to be more conscious of what I am adding.

Holding the luxury of health and that of those I love offers me choices. I need to use them joyfully.

To me, it would be such a tragedy to waste it – when so many others are not able to.

Another friend often said, “I have to go out and do this – for those who can’t”. I agree.

Seek whatever little joys you can in your days. Even it is just admiring a blooming cactus.

I want to be more present as I am presented with a new day and not take for granted all that I can do – while I can.

When you look at life and calculate it – by all the things you can do – I hope you consciously create a beautiful designed life. My goal is to be so frivolous with Joy.