Let The Good Times Roll
Do you have anyone in your life who talks about their past a lot? You know, the person who reminisces about all the good times they had and how wonderful life was ‘back then’? It’s wonderful to recapture good times and laugh at how things were. It makes for great conversation and warm moments.
But what about letting the good times roll into the present and the future? Are you keeping your best years behind you or are you creating new memories for years to come? It’s so important to keep your fun thoughts on present and future to continue the moment of a good life.
What do you have to look forward to? A vacation? A new venture? Maybe a new love? When we begin to envision our lives expanding into wonderfulness it keeps us young at heart and having a reason to be alive!
Start by taking a few moments and jotting down what it is you would like to create for yourself. Don’t judge, just write it all down. Then make a check list and begin exploring some of those things. Some call this a bucket list. It doesn’t have to be something huge. You can write down that you want to have a sleep over party with your friends (yes even adults have sleepovers!) Or join a hiking group. Think big and think small. If it inspires you and it feels like fun, then write it down. Maybe you will do them all or not but how fun will it be to try to complete your list.
Maybe you can even give it a name. For instance, many of us have heard of a vision board. What about calling this your ‘Joy Board’ filled with all the things you want to do for fun and to create memories.
Hopefully, even the thought of a joy board will have your good times roll into your NOW. Fun was not just meant for our youth or our past. Create anew everyday!
Enthusiastically,
Fran
The First Day of School
The First Day of School
It seems like I just blogged about the “Last Day of School,” and here I am writing about the first day of school. I call this phenomenon the “Acceleration of Time,” as I age it seems as though the days, weeks, months and years are all getting shorter. About 2 weeks ago I peeked in at my son in his room. “I’m bored,” he declared. I tried not so smile, sneer or laugh as I looked at him in front of his computer, guitar and amp, IPod, DS, Guitar Hero and PlayStation. I tried not to smile, sneer or laugh. I was just about to preach to him about when I was his age I had this new game called “Pong,” but decided to save my sermon for something more redeeming. “Good thing school is starting in a week,” I stated as I turned and left.
In review, my kids’ goals this summer as stated in the “Last Day of School” were to sleep, play guitar and get his “first kiss.” They slept, most definitely. They played guitar, can’t tell you how many trips we made to the guitar string store. And rumor has it that he got his first kiss about a month ago, though the time, place and recipient are all unknown.
So keeping with tradition, I asked all of them individually what they most look forward to at the first day of school. Once again, the answers surprised me—meeting my new teacher, reconnecting with my friends and “the Hugs.” And sure enough she loves her new teacher, he has reconnected with his friends for every available moment, and my wife swears the other was smothered by a harem of huggers.
The last two weeks have been filled with shopping for new school clothes and supplies and filling up the calendar with all the new activities—jazz band, church youth gatherings, flag football, piano lessons, girl scouts, FFA meetings and dance class. Can’t you just feel the accelerator pressing down?
Small Business Owner Finds Joy in the Creative Moments
Barry owns “The Filling Station” deli down the street. He makes a mean Cuban and my favorite egg salad and bacon sandwich. He’s a hard worker. In fact, most of the conversations we have are short and on the run, because as you know, small business can encompass most of your life.
But the other morning Barry came into the coffee shop right before opening, and we were able to have a slightly longer conversation. Barry was lit up, even before having his caffeine. That weekend he did something that allowed him to express his creativity and passion – he catered a nice dinner for just one couple celebrating their anniversary.
Barry talked about the menu items, the special requests from his client, the way he set the table and how he was able to ready the meal and leave the couple to be alone and enjoy their wonderful date. Barry described how the clients’ wife looked at her husband, and how that warmed his heart.
It was fun to see such enthusiasm on Barry’s face and hear such passion in his words – all because he was able to express his creativity. If we could all do that from time to time, we could really make a positive impact on the world around us with our joy.
Do you express your creativity through painting, song, writing, problem-solving, gardening or a wonderful meal? Figure out what lights your fire like Barry and be sure to make time to do it.
Joyful Revelation!
So here I am, freshly showered, feet aching and tired to the bone. An even better way to describe it would be “spent.” What a day. A full day at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure Theme Park. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is open you know. And this is my niece’s 18th birthday and Hogwart’s is where she wanted to go. Whatever Mimi wants, Mimi gets. Don’t get me wrong – she is truly spoiled. But she’s not a brat. She’s earned everything she gets because she’s responsible, generous, loving, supportive and accountable. She’s a wonderful girl. And I’m so glad we came this weekend despite the 95 degree temperatures, the 98 percent humidity and the constant threat of rain. Not only did I have a wonderful time with my husband, my sister, her 2 kids and her 4-year old grandson, Felix, I officially moved into the world of “Grandparents.”
It was quite a revelation actually. And I’m not just talking about the fact that we were always walking well behind the younger folks. When you’re the parent, or the managing aunt as in my case, you’re the one who has to calm down the kids, keep them happy, carry them when they’re tired, coax them to stop whining, handle their tantrums and on and on and on. But all that’s changed now. See now there’s grown people between me and the 4-year old and I don’t have to do any of that responsible stuff anymore. I can just have fun, I can enjoy taking Felix on the rides, listen to the sound of his laughter, loving every moment of it. And as soon as I hear the slightest whimper, Dad takes over. It’s perfect. All the joy, all the love, all the laughter, none of the parenting.
With that kind of generational progress, can handing off hosting Thanksgiving dinner be far behind? Welcome to the next phase. I think I’m going to like it here.
The Power of Three Little Words
I have long been a student of quantum mechanics and understand well enough that everything is energy. I have seen What the @*#&$^ Do We Know? and Dr. Emoto’s studies on waters physical responses to certain phrases and pictures. I have read Louise Hay’s You Can Heal Your Life and regularly practice the Script from Karol Truman’s book Feelings Buried Alive Never Die. I have taken an energy Psychology class called Psych-K and done some self work utilizing the technique. I have had an energy healing performed on me by an Energy practitioner and more! I wholeheartedly believe that our Thoughts Create Things and that ultimately anytime we are not at-ease, that is to say “dis-eased”, there is simply a disruption of our energy.
Even though I have had all of these teachings and experiences, I must say I don’t know if I have ever had as moving of an experience as a video I watched this morning put together by Sivan Garr.
Watching the video this morning was pure pleasure. It was a truly remarkable experience. It was something that was so “simple”, but at the same time was such a profoundly JOYOUS experience that I have to share it with you too. It is the Joy Factor personified!!!
There is no doubt in my mind about our Universal Connection to one another after watching this video. And I firmly believe that the deepest of wounds in our society and in our world could be actually and truly be healed with these three little words. My fellow brothers and sisters, “I Love You!”
Grey is out. Gloom is Gone.
Does anyone else recall the glee when you opened a brand new box of crayons? Do you remember the smell? The perfect wrappers, the long unbroken sticks with the honed, flat, tapered point? Did you seek your favorite color first? For most of my working life, I’ve kept a full set of color markers or pencils on or near my desk. A coloring book of some kind is at hand – mandalas are my favorite. And when I have a few minutes, or need to change my state or take a break, I color.
I’ve loved fabric, paint and texture all of my life. From nail polish to make up, a gauzy floral skirt to a full-length wool cape, these elements of design still move me and make me swoon every day. They delight my senses, make my mouth water, and tickle my spirit. I learned to sew at the age of nine, to crochet in my teens, took up needlepoint in college, and learned to knit on my first lecture tour in New Zealand. (How could I be in a country with 80 million sheep and not learn to knit?) Handwork is a meditation to me, as the luscious yarn glides through my finders, developing a form and personality as I work, yet it also a social focus, as I can “pass the time of day” with others as I create.
The element of design common to all of these—fiber, paint and texture—is color, and I was blessed early on to find a way to use this passion to make my way through the world. I cannot explain the elation that comes when I find the perfect colors and finishes for a space, or what a charge it is to see it—often months later—in real life on installation day. Sometimes I just have to sit and drink in the room and sigh with pleasure, wondering what stories the room will hold in a few years—the events, emotions and gleanings of the souls that will live there.
Color is free energy. The cost for color vs. non-color is usually nil, but the boost that comes from the right color for the right application is a bonus . . . a gift from the Universe. While it is merely a refraction or reflection of LIGHT, the impact is huge, and it gives me great joy. It’s akin to eating canned corn when fresh corn is available: why settle for gray when you can have pink, coral, teal, lime, or sage?
I love this video. It makes my soul smile, from hair roots (uncolored) to my toenails (usually colored). http://www.letscolourproject.com/blog/2010/05/dulux-walls-global-film-launched-2/
Carpe diem
Rebecca
Firsts
Not seconds, not thirds, FIRSTS.
The joy I felt the first time I went scuba diving.
The first time I spoke to a large audience.
The first time I felt kundalini rush up my spine.
The first time I got naked on a beach. Happy Happy, JOY JOY!
The first time I sailed on the ocean.
The first time I opened to love.
The first time a taught a tantra workshop.
The first time I roasted a chicken (successfully).
I relish in the opportunity to create firsts, in my life and in others. Really, is there anything like the ‘first time’? Not to say that I don’t find joy in continuity and learning an art, or trying things again and again. Lets face it, some things only get better after the 3rd or 4th time. Somethings take years to master or perfect, however, most of us will never forget ‘the first time’.
My self care lately has included consciously choosing joy in the moment, based on the belief that the future begins from the present. Example, a friend of mine told me about a band playing at Smiths Ole Bar, and expressed that she thought I would really like the music. I love to dance, and my favorite sounds fall in the funk category. Percussion and Brass – YUM! To use the words of another Joy Posse Blogger… my ‘killjoy voice“ popped in and said, ”YUK! Don’t go, it is a smokey, dank bar, and you’ll smell of smoke, your clothes will smell, and you hate that … don’t go! “ So, in that moment… I said, does not going bring me joy, or should a push past that and would going bring my joy? Here is were mother intuition and a little step child irony chimed in. I asked my friend, what is the name of the band? She replied, ”The Pimps of Joy Time“! HA!!!
I went out that night and danced my but off, came home, put the smelly clothes right into the wash, took a shower to get the funk out of my hair, and went to bed with a big grin on my face! A first for me.
Its Joy TIME!
Cheers
Tracey
Mystery, Snakes and Trees
The years between the age of 8 and 11 I played everyday in the forest. In fact, you might even say I lived there. Coming out only for eating, sleeping and school.
My brother, and a few friends of ours, had a mystery club. We buried treasure; concocted great adventures and we were even chased away by villains once or twice during a “stake-out”.
We had a theft too. That was a BIG mystery. Who in their right mind would have dug up our dues jar for a measly few dollars. Unfortunately, I solved the mystery by being the recipient of my brother generosity of ice cream and candy. Generosity he couldn’t afford. I didn’t have the heart to rat him out.
The Member’s Lounge was a broken down shed you had to get on your knees to crawl into. Regardless, we took pride in our discovery of this unknown place and worked hard to make it into a haven we were proud of, even if it did attract snakes.
Most notably, a jet black King snake we named Blackie.
My mom accidentlly killed Blackie with a hoe while working in the garden one Sunday. She was waaayyy more upset than we were. I’ve never seen her cry like that.
I wonder what ever happened to Wendel, my childhood crush and the President of our Mystery Club. Even then, I was attracted to bad boys… a preacher’s son too.
Today, we had to cut down a huge white oak that lived at the edge of the forest at my childhood home. It was rotting and close to the house. I’m sad to see the tree go but I’m joyful about the flood of memories it brought back to me.
My boyfriend is an Arborist and took the tree down. He is also a preacher’s son and (thank goodness) a good guy. Maybe, after all of these years I did learn something about the mystery of men, trees and home.
Joy is an Inside Job
It’s wise to remember that the same awe-inspiring infinite intelligence of the universe that created us and everything around us is also ready to guide us to our most joyful life. All we have to remember is to ask, listen and trust.
ASK. Pose a question just before meditation, during a quiet walk or as you are falling asleep. It could be as simple as, “What can I do to experience more joy?”
LISTEN. Your guidance may come as a still, small voice in your head, disguised as a friend’s suggestion, as a synchronicity, or perhaps an image.
TRUST. We live in an instant gratification world. You may not receive guidance right away. Be patient. When we let go of the details and the illusion of control, miracles happen. And so it is.
The Gift of Letting Go of Attachment
A walk on the beach with my Aunt Nancy in Northern CA, spurred this delicious Bite of Joy!
The Joy Factor
Welcome fellow Happiness Pioneers! You've come to the right place if you are looking to raise your Joy Factor and create a life you are madly in love with. My vision is for everyone to live a life aligned with their passions and full of joy. Visit often to read what the Joy Posse has to say, watch uplifting videos and gather other delightful resources that will make you smile. This is also a place to share what raises your Joy Factor - do tell! Let’s have the ripple effect of joy change the world!
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