Discover joy in the hard places

Welcome to the blog of JP Mills where you will find encouragement and belonging through reflective journaling and poetry.

Joyful Ruins

Discovering joy in the hard places

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  • Own Your Story

    I’m not going to turn away from this but I’m not going to torture myself with this either I’m going to transform this over time I’m going to let it tenderize any anger, bitterness, selfishness, perfectionism in me I’m going to let it transition me into something new and different I won’t let it terrify… Continue reading

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  • Sit Spot Within

    Sit Spot Within

    Like one listens to and observes the sounds and sights of nature listen to your thoughts Observe your feelings As I sit at home and hear rain on the roof or a car passing I do not jump to conclusions or wish them away The sounds simply come into my awareness and become background noise… Continue reading

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  • Sadness and Home

    Sadness and Home

    So much pain So much joy When I think of home The place I found shelter the place I was harmed people faces that bring me laughter AND remind me of my smallness Returning I wish it was only joy but I can’t ignore the loss the sadness She belongs too Maybe if I allow… Continue reading

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  • Anchor

    Anchor

    Lost myself and now anew What am I anchored to? It once was faith but that is gone What brings me back to myself now? It can’t be others because my relationship with them is like the changing weather at best It can’t be God because He or She is everywhere and a mystery to… Continue reading

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  • May Fireworks Unite Us

    Tonight I sat under fireworks with people I disagree with. To the point of it being a matter of morality. Though this put me on edge for most of the celebration, as the bright colorful lights went off and made me smile at their beauty, some of that tension melted away. Not so much because… Continue reading

About Me

An obsessive journaler who loves meeting others along their journey and giving them a hand to hold through pieces of writing. I write about the heartbreaks of life and the joys, the ups and downs, and I often learn my greatest lessons and miracles from nature.

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