> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://emilymorter.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Gentle joy - URL: https://emilymorter.com/gentle-joy/ - Published: 2025-07-24T22:00:31.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-14T04:13:17.000Z - Description: everyday magic, imbolc birthday, the comfort of togetherness, calm abiding - Author: Fluid Thinking - Tags: Writing Jul 2025 0:00 /277.524897 1× Lately I’ve been noticing the **magic in our everyday** life… waking in a warm bed, crisp morning walks, appreciating my daughter’s outfits each day, sharing meals, napping with the dog on the couch… We are heading into **Imbolc**, when the season turns from mid winter to the first quickening of spring. It is still cold and mostly grey weather here in Melbourne, but I love to watch out for the first wattle blooming, and the sunrise gradually creeping up higher and earlier each day. It sparks a little hope inside. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/ec/5dece2dd-1b31-4e64-87f1-1d453618bd9f/content/images/2026/08/ef3a6b42-1027-4a5a-8d7d-b54611b1c332_2463x3509-jpeg.jpg) An everyday winter outfit, July 2025 I spent last week celebrating my upcoming birthday with family, enjoying the comfort and rituals of **togetherness**. On one of our outings, we visited the elephants at Werribee Zoo. I was filled with joy to see them freely roaming around the beautiful new space built for their benefit and wellbeing. If you missed it, they moved this matriarchal herd from a small enclosure at Melbourne Zoo to 21 hectares in Werribee earlier this year. It was an emotional journey, made possible by the dedication and preparation of the staff. You can watch it here - [a new home for the herd](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjng43wsK5w&ref=emilymorter.com). This weekend I have plans to celebrate with friends, warming our hearts with soup and tea and cake and laughter. But I’ve kept the day of my birth quiet, so I have space for reflection and **gentle joy**. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/ec/5dece2dd-1b31-4e64-87f1-1d453618bd9f/content/images/2026/08/80c53c2a-e552-4cb9-8ea7-9ac6e776bc70_4080x3060-jpeg.jpg) The first of several birthday cakes, July 2025 I [recently read ](https://lifeboat.substack.com/p/an-unmarked-path-thats-made-as-you)about the Buddhist practice**calm abiding**; noticing, contemplating, appreciating without grasping. Holding your work/creative practice/life tasks with steadiness. Just saying the word, *abide*, feels wonderful in my body. It comes from the Old English word *abidan;* to remain, wait, dwell. Over time it has gained further meaning; to be enduring, steadfast, to trust, rely. *To await trustingly*. To know that things will unfold and emerge in their right time. This feels relevant to my life right now. This month I’ve awaited trustingly to welcome a baby into the world, to embrace a friend arriving from interstate, to spend time with visiting family. I’ve calmly held my daughter’s school holidays as a time of peace and rest, and maintained my dog’s emotional regulation. It’s not all smooth sailing, any practice takes devotion and repeated work. Steadiness doesn’t always come easily. Just like our nervous systems move between stress and relaxation, our emotions cycle between heightened and calm states. This poem by Rumi reminds me how very human this cycle is: > **The Guest House** > > This being human is a guest house. > Every morning a new arrival. > > A joy, a depression, a meanness, > some momentary awareness comes > as an unexpected visitor. > > Welcome and entertain them all! > Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, > who violently sweep your house > empty of its furniture, > still, treat each guest honorably. > He may be clearing you out > for some new delight. > > The dark thought, the shame, the malice, > meet them at the door laughing, > and invite them in. > > Be grateful for whoever comes, > because each has been sent > as a guide from beyond. > > Rumi Sending gentle birthday joy. And much love, Emily [Subscribe now](#/portal/signup)