Prioritize your Joy.

If we yearn for more joy in our lives, it's essential to recognize that it will not simply materialize on its own. Joy requires deliberate cultivation, a conscious effort to prioritize it amidst life's challenges. Rather than allowing external conditions to dictate its presence, we must actively create the space for joy to flourish. It begins with a mindset of radical appreciation, opening the door to gratitude and ultimately leading us to experience true joy.

What brings you joy? What fills your heart with gratitude? Take a moment to reflect and make a list, starting with the immediate surroundings. Declare your appreciation aloud, acknowledging the things within your line of sight – whether it's your cozy couch, loyal pet, or the comforting warmth of your home. As you delve deeper into appreciation, notice how your mood begins to lift, elevating your entire being.

Next, engage in activities that ignite your joy. It could be as simple as playing with a pet, indulging in creative pursuits like painting or dancing, or belting out your favorite tunes in the comfort of your own home. Step outside of your comfort zone and explore new sources of appreciation. Try a different lunch spot, indulge in dessert before your main course, or take a scenic route home – each small deviation from routine opens up new avenues for joy.

Extend your joy to others by spreading kindness and positivity. Compliment strangers, perform random acts of kindness, and embrace opportunities to connect with the world around you. By stepping outside our routines and embracing new experiences, we uncover a wealth of joy waiting to be discovered.

Prioritizing joy is not passive – it's an active choice. When we reframe our mindset and reclaim our power as co-creators of our lives, we set the stage for joy to thrive. 

Success or sabotage? Is a life absent joy a success worth living?

Is this going to be an incredible mind? Embrace your joy wholeheartedly, and allow it to illuminate your path to a fuller, vibrant life.

Allow the Joy.

I do not feel at peace. A lack of sleep has temporarily eroded my discipline and has resulted in ineffective (unconscious) choices. I am questioning the current nature and value of my life as it has unfolded up to this moment. Opportunity is knocking, but I will admit that I feel resistant to the very possibility of growth in this manner. I feel more inclined to dig in my heels, cross my arms, and stick my head in the sand. I wish to remain unmoved, pretending that I am punishing a force outside of myself and that, by doing so, I will feel renewed satisfaction and power. I would like to lash out at someone. This emotional pressure valve needs release. I laugh at the patterns of old logic. I am well aware of the range of effective choices in this moment and I am resistant to all of them.

Breathe. At this moment, it is the best first step. What do you most want at this moment? What is your ideal? The voices of objection (why you do not, can not, or will not have it) begin their chant. Breath THROUGH them. Do not attempt to vanquish them. Allow them to pass. Focus on something that brings you joy. Do not worry about the size or categorization of your thoughts; if it brings you joy, it is effective. Allow yourself to feel grateful. Now, focus on yet another thing that brings you joy. Continue to move from joy to joy (item to item) until you have thought of ten things that make you feel good. As you continue to breathe, allow yourself to feel the joy. Notice how your body begins to shift. You will have to fight to maintain the stress in your body that the breath is attempting to remove.

This is a step in the creation of peace.

Success or sabotage? Invite the space for success into your life by getting off the treadmill you created. Remember to breathe and enjoy (otherwise, what is the point?)

Is this an incredible day? What does your soul tell you?

Focus on Joy.

I do not feel at peace. A lack of sleep has temporarily eroded my discipline and has resulted in ineffective (unconscious) choices. I am questioning the current nature and value of my life as it has unfolded up to this moment. Opportunity is knocking, but I will admit that I feel resistant to the very possibility of growth in this manner. I feel more inclined to dig in my heels, cross my arms, and stick my head in the sand. I wish to remain unmoved, pretending that I am punishing a force outside of myself and that, by doing so, I will feel renewed satisfaction and power. I would like to lash out at someone. This emotional pressure valve needs release. I laugh at the patterns of old logic. I am well aware of the range of effective choices in this moment and I am resistant to all of them.

Breathe. At this moment, it is the best first step. What do you most want at this moment? What is your ideal? The voices of objection (why you do not, can not, or will not have it) begin their chant. Breathe through them. Do not attempt to conquer them. Simply allow them to pass. Focus on something that brings you joy. Do not worry about the size or categorization of your thoughts; if it brings you joy, it is effective. Allow yourself to feel grateful. Now, focus on yet another thing that brings you joy. Move from joy to joy (item to item) until you have thought of ten things that make you feel good. As you continue to breathe, allow yourself to feel the joy. Notice how your body begins to shift. You will have to fight to maintain the stress in your body that the breath is attempting to remove.

This is a step in the creation of peace.

Success or sabotage? Invite the space for success into your life by getting off the treadmill that you have created. Remember to breathe and enjoy (otherwise, what is the point?)

Is this an incredible day? What does your soul tell you?

Create some Joy.

We are not guaranteed the luxury of tomorrow. Today is all that is certain. Perhaps it is time for us to break away from our routines and step outside of our norm. The world is in need of our personal contributions.

This is your invitation. Do something unnecessarily kind for another today. Create some unexpected joy for someone else. Rather than surrendering to the notion that your roles and responsibilities do not afford you the time, entertain the possibility that the investment will provide a favorable return.

The world is in turmoil. At some point, it benefits us to ask ourselves if kindness is an added luxury or a responsibility. If we all commit to selfless acts of kindness on a daily basis, consider the shift that we would create in the world. We can either be part of the solution to the world’s unrest or we can simply throw up a white flag of surrender (and be part of the problem). The choice is ours.

Success or sabotage? We answer this question every day in our thoughts, words, and actions.

Is this going to be an incredible day? Focus on making the day amazing for another and watch what happens.

Focus on Joy.

I do not feel at peace. A lack of sleep has temporarily eroded my discipline and has resulted in ineffective (unconscious) choices. I am questioning the current nature and value of my life as it has unfolded up to this moment. Opportunity is knocking, but I will admit that I feel resistant to the very possibility of growth in this manner. I feel more inclined to dig in my heels, cross my arms and stick my head in the sand. I wish to remain unmoved, pretending that I am punishing a force outside of myself and that, by doing so, I will feel renewed satisfaction and power. I would like to lash out at someone. This emotional pressure valve needs release. I laugh at the patterns of old logic. I am well aware of the range of effective choices in this moment and I am resistant to all of them.

Breathe. At this moment, it is the best first step. What do you most want at this moment? What is your ideal? The voices of objection (why you do not, can not or will not have it) begin their chant. Breath THROUGH them. Do not attempt to vanquish them. Simply allow them to pass. Focus on something that brings you joy. Do not worry about the size or categorization of your thought; if it brings you joy, it is effective. Allow yourself to feel grateful. Now, focus on yet another thing that brings you joy. Continue to move from joy to joy (item to item) until you have thought of ten things that make you feel good. As you continue to breathe, allow yourself to feel the joy. Notice how your body begins to shift. You will literally have to fight to maintain the stress in your body that the breath is attempting to remove.

This is a step in the creation of peace.

Success or sabotage? Invite the space for success into your life by getting off the treadmill that you have created. Remember to breathe and enjoy (otherwise, what is the point?)

Is this an incredible day? What does your soul tell you?

Focus on Joy.

I do not feel at peace. A lack of sleep has temporarily eroded my discipline and has resulted in ineffective (unconscious) choices. I am questioning the current nature and value of my life as it has unfolded up to this moment. Opportunity is knocking, but I will admit that I feel resistant to the very possibility of growth in this manner. I feel more inclined to dig in my heels, cross my arms and stick my head in the sand. I wish to remain unmoved, pretending that I am punishing a force outside of myself and that, by doing so, I will feel renewed satisfaction and power. I would like to lash out at someone. This emotional pressure valve needs release. I laugh at the patterns of old logic. I am well aware of the range of effective choices in this moment and I am resistant to all of them.

Breathe. In this moment, it is the best first step. What do you most want at this moment? What is your ideal? The voices of objection (why you do not, can not or will not have it) begin their chant. Breath THROUGH them. Do not attempt to vanquish them. Simply allow them to pass. Focus on something that brings you joy. Do not worry about the size or categorization of your thought; if it brings you joy, it is effective. Allow your self to feel grateful. Now, focus on yet another thing that brings you joy. Continue to move from joy to joy (item to item) until you have thought of ten things that make you feel good. As you continue to breathe, allow your self to feel the joy. Notice how your body begins to shift. You will literally have to fight to maintain the stress in your body that the breath is attempting to remove.

This is a step in the creation of peace.

Success or sabotage? Invite the space for success into your life by getting off the treadmill that you have created. Remember to breathe and enjoy (otherwise, what is the point?)

Is this an incredible day? What does your soul tell you?

Invite more Joy.

An old customer service trick that is used in the training of those who staff telephone hotlines is to smile when answering the phone (regardless of their personal demeanor at the time).  It has been proven that if you smile long enough, your emotional climate will catch up and you will become happier.

There are days in our lives when we doubt the possibility of joy in our lives.  We may believe that the joy will come once <insert to-do list here> all is completed. Do you really want to wait? Is it really your intention to withhold joy from your life until you have reached a certain pinnacle? Is your happiness dependent upon circumstances or is it a state of being?  If you truly want to be happy, for what are you waiting?

You are more likely to experience joy in your life if you make it one of your aims. Are joy and happiness on your list of daily goals?  This should not be a secondary goal.  When you feel happy and joyful, it feeds your productivity and sharpens your focus. What will you do to inspire greater joy in your life today?

Success or sabotage?  The best way to achieve success is to "be successful." Act it out and watch reality catch up!

Is this going to be an incredible day?  It is COMPLETELY up to you.

Assimilate the Joy.

There are people in life that are so joyful that you WANT to be around them; you are attracted to their energy in a way that you cannot necessarily explain.  Are you one of those people? Would you like to be one of them?

You have probably heard about the old customer service trick for telephone professionals--smile (even if you don't feel it) and the customer will hear the smile in your voice.  There is a technique in acting (an "outside-in" approach) where you allow the physicalization to produce the emotion (if you hit a table over and over, you will eventually feel anger). These techniques can be helpful in life.  If you don't feel joyful, assimilate joy.  Play it to the extreme. Relax and allow it to fill your body. Notice what happens.

Success or sabotage? What is standing in the way of you and your joy? Is there a better time than today to find out?

Is this going to be an incredible day?  Let go; just be and ENJOY!