Going to veer off of the typical New Shelves article here. I have been thinking lately a lot about what I find beautiful. Those thoughts have lead me to question what brings me joy. I assumed that they would be connected.

Nope.

Here is a partial list of what I find beautiful:

• Small town main streets
• Water flowing over rocks
• Mountains
• Old buildings
• Willow trees
• Florence, Italy

Now…. here is a partial list of what brings me joy:

• Drive-in movie theaters
• That deep, wet, cool, green smell that comes from shady roads
• Singing with other people
• Board or Card games
• Boats, convertibles, motorcycles, tilt-a-whirl rides…. Anything that puts the wind in my face. So…. I guess wind brings me joy
• Contact with animals. Any animals.

I have always believed that beauty brings happiness.  How surprising to learn that what I find beautiful does not translate automatically into joy.  However, everything that brings joy is painfully beautiful to me.

What do you find beautiful? What brings you joy?