Weekly Photo Challenge – JOY
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
Joy – such a simple concept and yet so difficult to convey in words. A step beyond happiness that warms the heart and is often contagious, somehow it is seen most often in children, who find it in simple pleasures. I’ve chosen a few examples from the children we saw in Cambodia, where worldly possessions were few but smiles were many.
“To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.”
Mark Twain
It seemed to me that life in Cambodia was somehow less complicated – as if time had frozen some 50 years ago. We saw no smartphones, few automobiles, no large shopping centers or grocery stores. People grew their own crops and made daily trips to the market. Children played simple games with one another and seemed carefree and yes, joyful. For me, it was a lesson in appreciating life’s small pleasures.
“Joy multiplies when it is shared among friends.”
R.A. Salvatore
2013 has been a terrific year for me, highlighted by a month in China but full of so many happy moments. I am thankful for the love of my wonderful husband and our families, the joys of friendship, the blessings of good health and the beauty that surrounds me here at home. I sincerely appreciate the support and encouragement of those who follow this blog, which has made me think about my photography and even my view of the world in new and different ways.
“The essence of life is not in the great victories but in the simple joy.”
Jonathan L. Huie
My best wishes to all for a New Year filled with love, peace, good health, and perhaps most importantly, joy. To see more joyful moments, click here.
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Thanks for visiting our blog and I’m so glad to have discovered your blog- especially this post on a day when I needed a little joy. Great photos and post!
My pleasure 🙂 So happy to have brightened your day!
I always find myself smiling as i read & view your blog.
Looking forward to more of the joy you create, capture & share in 2014. Thanks!!
Thanks Diane! And happy new year to you!
Aboslutely adorable – a post transporting happiness and joy to us all.
Happy New Year, Tina!
Love, Dina
Thanks Dina – so happy you caught the infectious joy!!
These are such wonderful, genuine smiles of children that immediately brings joy. Wonderful post and it seems those you came in touch with during your travels had just as great of time as you. Congratulations.
What a wonderful thought – I hope you’re right Randall. The young man in the first photo was certainly enjoying his moment of fame!! Appreciate your visit and comment.
Great shot, Tina… 🙂
Wishing you a great year 2014… !!
Many thanks Bams, and all the best in 2014 to you too!
Tina, I may have said this before, but I love your commentary even more than your photos. It does indeed make me consider the photos in different ways than I would have otherwise.
Thanks Jack, for your support and encouragement. I’ve always loved writing and the blog has been a great creative outlet for me. All the best to you and Steve in 2014!
I love it, great post!
Many thanks Vos, and Happy New YEar to you!
Tina, thank you for sharing your world, and your travels this year. May you have many more wonderful experiences in the coming year, and joyful photographic opportunities!!! Why not!
Thanks so much Lynn, I’ve enjoyed reliving the experiences as I posted about them, and have loved seeing readers’ reactions :-). All the best to you in 2014 as well–here’s to photographic adventures wherever we find them!
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Beautiful post, Tina. There is joy – small, but real – in the simple things of life. Loved the photograph of the two young girls playing.
Wish you a very Happy New Year, Tina. I hope your 2014 will be filled with love, joy and of course beautiful and moving photography moments!
Thank you Uday, for your support and encouragement throughout the year. Happy New Year to you too. May your 2014 be filled with the same wonderful elements you’ve wished for me!
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What a beautifully put together post….the shots and the stories were phenomenal. Here’s to a joyous new year for you! looking fwd to more on your blog..
Many thanks Preeti! And a joyous New Year to you too!
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Happy New Year Tina.
I’m happy that I came across and have enjoyed your blog this year. Truly, one of the top photography website I choose visit. Accolades to you, your images, and your stories behind the photos.
Thanks so much Rick – a wonderful compliment coming from one so accomplished! Looking forward to seeing more of your thoughts and tips in the New Year.
Few things in life are more joyous than your photos, Tina. I love that shot of the two girls.
I hope that joy continues to follow you in 2014. Thanks for all your thoughtful and lovely shares 🙂
Thanks so much Jo – and joy to you in the New Year as well!
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Tina what a wonderful post on New Year eve. You have illustrated meaningfully the Thich Nhat Hanh quote beautifully with pics of joyous children. Thank you and wish you a peaceful and happy New Year. Cheers 🙂
Thank you Dilip, and all the best to you too!
Beautiful images, Tina.
Perfect for the caption.
Thank you Sreejith! All the best to you in the new year!
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A beautiful post Tina…what we all need for the coming year…:-)
have a great year..
take care
sriram
I agree Sriram, we coul all use a bit more joy in our lives! All the best in the new year.
Beautiful post, Tina. I especially love the earthy color combinations of the two little girls in the second photo. Also, the orange bicycle. 🙂
Thanks Alexandria, and the best of everything in 2014 to you!
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sometimes joy in our own lives is missing, but we can see and be happy for the joy we see others’ lives (both friends and strangers) Thank you for taking us on this lovely journey – sharing so much.
And thank you so much for following along Mary Lynn! Hope your 2014 is happy, healthy, and joyful 🙂
Smiles are contagious too!! Great captures!
Thanks Gin!! They are indeed 🙂
Joy Joy Joy to the World! Love these sweet faces! Linda
Thanks Miss Linda. The best of happy and HEALTHY New Years to you!!
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Very nice. Happy New Year, Tina!
Thanks Jane – best to you too!
Great journey thru your eyes and mind all year. To be and share with you is my joy.
🙂 And the vice is versa!
Great joyful photos. I need to think more about taking photos of people. Always leery of photo rights, and I don’t carry photo releases with me. 🙂
Thanks John! As long as you’re not using the photos commercially I don’t believe the release is required. Happy New Year to you!
I love the way you captured joy 🙂
Thanks PJB! It was there for the taking 🙂 Appreciate your visit and comment, and Happy New Year to you!
Wonderful post, Tina. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and photos with us throughout the year. Wishing you all good things in the New Year.
Thanks Jane – appreciate your support. And all the best to you in 2014!
What can be more joyful than watching children smile! Happy New Year, Tina!
I agree – children find joy in so many wonderful ways! Happy New YEar to you Svetlana!
what beautiful words….thank u for the ‘joy’ this past year!! Love ‘playing in the salt’…..wish for all to play in some salt in 2014 spending less time playing with our electronics!! HAPPY HAPPY!!!
Yes, I agree April! More salt, less electronics 🙂 Happy New Year and thanks for your wonderful support!
Wonderful photos – remarkably open and happy looking children – amazing given their troubled history. All the best for 2014
Many thanks Robin – yes, I think peace is still the supreme gift for them and thus their easy-going, contented good nature. The best for you in the New Year as well!
Joy ! You describe it so well Tina in words and photographs .
Wishing you another fabulous year of photography and many moments of joy sharing it all with us here on your blog .
Happy New Year for 2014 !
Many thanks PT! Have enjoyed your blog a great deal this year and look forward to much more in 2014. All the best to you in the New Year!
Tina It has been pure JOY for me to view your photos and travel with you. The photos as well as the thought provoking comments have sent me to another time and space that causes me to reflect and appreciate life more and especially talented and sharing friends like you. Thank you! My best to you in the new year as you continue your exploring through the lens. Ann S
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Thanks so much for your lovely comment and continued support Ann. All the best to you in the New Year!
Oh if we didn’t have JOY in our life…where would we be? happy new years to you.
And the same to you Laurie – here’s to JOY in 2014!
I agree, children are wonderful examples of pure joy. I wished we had a way of taking their uncontaminated joy with us into adulthood more…
I am so glad to “know” you through your blog and am looking forward to you sharing your experiences with us thru the coming year. Happy New Year!
Thanks Annette. The “friends” we make through blogging are great fun and I think help us all to expand our view of the world. Thanks for your lovely comment and all the best to you in 2014!
Lovely post and joyful photos and quotes. I often think that kids were happier when they had less. Happy New Year Tina. I look forward to 2014 with you 🙂
Jude xx
Thanks Jude, and all the best to you in 2014 as well!
Wishing y0ou and your family a joyful New Year!
Many thanks Bill – and all the best to you and yours!!
Great post Tina. And as you point out, there is joy to be found in simple things – something that seems to escape many of us. Happy New Year.
Thanks Ron, and a Happy New Year to you too!
Beautiful in every way!
Many thanks Stefan – and all the best in the New Year!
Images and quotes that exude joy.
Thanks Sally! A good note on which to end the year 🙂