Today, life offers us at least thirty-one flavors of joy. They are not offered in a cup or cone, yet they can be just as satiating.

What flavor of joy are you craving today? What will put a smile on your face and fulfill your spirit? Maybe it’s doing something nice for someone in your life, like calling them to just say, I love you. For some of you, your flavor du jour may be accomplishing a task you have been putting off for a while. Doesn’t that sound good, taking something off of your list so you are back in integrity with yourself?

Then again, it could be to slow down a minute so you can savor what it is you have created for yourself. The taste of appreciation is mighty good. Not only is it good in them moment, but acknowledging yourself for what you have accomplished will keep you quenched for a long time. And if you are like me, you will try other flavors to see what you like, but will keep coming back to the flavor that lets you feel fulfilled and satisfied. Now that’s delicious!

So how do you get started? Begin by choosing your flavor of joy; swirl it throughout your experience and notice how it enhances a multitude of areas in your life. Then share it with others, even if it is just a taste.

Since we do not have cable t.v. and Tevo, we often watch the commercials–sometime on mute, but they are on the screen. I must give kudos to the many advertisers that chose to ride the wave of inspiration and shared messages that left me in the question of how can I be my best.

One that stood out for me was an advertisement from Special K cereal. There were all these women, getting ready to stand on a scale and learn their weight on the streets of NYC -really? When they stood on the scale, instead of a number showing up, they flashed words like confidence, courage, joy, laughter and excitement.

They posed the question, What will you gain when you lose? OMG–such a powerful question. This type of inquiry makes a personal growth passionista like myself have “goosies”, to quote Jennifer Lopez.

As I ponder my transition from providing services that I have offered for eleven years, to offering something new, I’m experiencing a blend of excitement and fear. I think it’s similar to what that Olympic diver feels as she steps to the edge of the platform…..breathes…….adjusts…..visualizes….and jumps.

Back to the question, What will you gain when you lose? What will happen when you let go of the fear, doubt, worry, paralyzing thoughts and frustration that your new endeavor or habit is not perfect now? This is such a delightful perspective to explore as you stretch into achieving things you have never accomplished before.

Let’s try it on and see what happens. If I were to lose the nagging belief that I must know everything about being a professional speaker in the same way that I know about professional coaching, I would be willing to try new things without the attachment of getting it right the first time. In turn, I would acquire experience, which would build my confidence. Over time I would obtain the knowledge and confidence I desire to create this new career.

Gain vs. lose–i like it. Thanks for the delicious nugget Special K.

There are many ways to create a life you love, click here for my free e-book, 9 Tips for Living a Joyful Life.

This short video  gives you 10 steps to creating a successful business while enjoying the journey.

Big Idea

Now that’s joyful.

If you are ready to create more success and joy in your life, go and grab my free e-book, 9 Tips for Living  Joyful Life. You’ll be glad you did.

“You are the chef of your Joyful Life-now is the perfect time to create delectable days” ~Wendy Watkins

I am happy and grateful to say I really do have everything I need. It is the things I want, that I crave, that drive me a bit crazy.

Recently, one of my favorite stores had their semi-annual 50% off everything in the store sale. Oh my gosh – I cannot resist amazing deals like that, yet this time, the first time in five years, I chose not to visit my would-be outfits and shoes.  In a previous post about instant gratification, I’ve been paying attention to my insistent need for wanting things now! On the flip side, I’ve spent more time with my ten-year old niece, Emily; talking to her about saving money for the things she must have. Oh yes, I ‘m starting to sound like my parents and grandparents when I talk to my niece and nephew, and it is scaring me a bit.

As I look at my decision-making process around the things I want and the things I need, I notice that it all comes down to what my passions and intentions are in my life right now .  One of the things that brings me immense joy is to travel and everything that goes with that; the research, planning and dreaming about the trip. The preparation and anticipation of going on a journey is as fun as the adventure itself.

When I have a trip or two on the calendar, they become my touchstone for my superfluous spending. Do I want those pants, or do I want to have those extra dollars for Portland? Those shoes are cute, but I bet they will have fabulous shoes in Italy. It all comes down to making conscious choices, choices that are in alignment with the things I really want. Now don’t get me wrong, if I need a new pair of shoes, I buy them. I’ve started to keep my eye on the prize, opting for holding out for the grand finale rather than just the door prize.

What I am noticing about this seemingly adult decision process is how good I feel about myself. This process boosts my self-worth and self-esteem because I ‘m actually doing what I told myself I’d do. When my Joy Factor increases in this way, all things are possible and I am the winner of the best prize every day.

Now, where is that shoe catalog?

If you would like to learn more about how to raise your Joy Factor, click here to receive my free e-book, 9 Tips for Living a Joyful Life.

Because of the leisurely pace that vacation offers, it was easier to slow down and enjoy these moments. The presents I received daily reminded me of the constant craving I have for a slower pace, so I can truly be in the moment and enjoy the gift of presence.

It is in the moment, where Eckhart Tolle points us, to the Power of Now. In this powerful book, Tolle shares the benefits of shifting your consciousness, away from the egoic mind, the thinking mind, to the present moment – what he refers to as now. This is a quest that so many of us are on, yearning for peace of mind and fulfillment.

When I returned home from vacation, it only took about a week for me to notice how hurriedmy pace had become causing me to lose the gift of the moment. I eased my foot off of the proverbial gas pedal that was propelling me forward and reconnected to the souvenirs I brought home from the beach.

1. The sun will always rise and always set.

   This gives me approximately 8 hours to accomplish what I want to accomplish in a day. When I put my attention on what’s most important and do the best I can, I’ll complete what I can. Whatever is not complete, will get done tomorrow. My “to-do” list is never complete. When I remember that, I can enjoy the task at hand, connect with the people I am spending time with and truly enjoy the moment.

2. The tide comes in and goes out.

   There are going to be days that I’m feeling good and operating at my best. There will also be days that my energy is lower and I will not be as energized, focused or excited about the items on my list. The gift here is to notice this energetic shift and to honor how you are feeling. The bonus gift to give yourself on days like this is to not beat yourself up for having a lower energy day. Your tide is out and it will come back in. Be gentle on yourself and get done what you can get done.

3. My glass if full and then empty.

   The best way for me to refill my glass, is to spend at least thirty minutes a day, four times a week, moving my body. Whether that is taking a spin class at the Y, swimming in the pool or walking Abbey and Eli( they love when I choose them), it helps me to fill up my cup with optimism and reduce the stress in my life.

These gifts are ingredients that you can weave into your recipe to create a more delicious life. You do not have to wait until you are on vacation to take advantage of these delightful presents. You can open them each and every day without spending time wrapping them.

To learn more about these gifts and how to raise your Joy Factor, click here to receive two free chapters from The Joy Factor Recipe Book – A Common Sense Approach to a Delicious Life.

It could be something to eat, something to make or something to learn. It could be to spend time indoors or outdoors, walking or sitting. It is hard to say what my craving will be.

One thing I know for sure is that I get to choose, each and every day, how I will satisfy my desire.
I have a few criteria to help decide which direction to go. In my new book, The Joy Factor Recipe Book – A Common Sense Approach to a Delicious Life, I share recipes that will raise your Joy Factor, so you can attract more of what you want.
One of the ingredients I offer is to honor your passions. Your passions are the things that bring you the most fulfillment. When you make decisions from what you’re passionate about vs. what you think you should do, it opens up space for being pleased. Imagine experiencing satisfaction instead of distraction or frustration. How would that impact the flow of your day?
On a recent Sunday, all I really wanted to do was to stay home and chill out. My inner chatter had me believing I had too much to get done to sit and relax. Yes, I’ll always have a lot to accomplish. Thankfully, over my morning coffee, I remembered that one of my top passions is ‘to be satisfied with what is.’ With that in mind, I chose to stay in my pajamas.  All day. I had to decide time and time again that this act of self-care (another ingredient in my book) was satisfying my craving for serenity.

Putting my attention on what’s most important to me, rather than running here and there and worrying about what I was missing by staying home, was wonderful. It gave me the energy and zest to ease into the week with a knowing that I honored my craving.  That is delicious.

What are you craving? How will you satisfy that desire?

Learn more about The Joy Factor Recipe Book – A Common Sense Approach to your Delicious Life here.

Find “about ” and ” credits” files. Waffle over how much to use. Or how little. Copy and paste. Edit. Format. Correct. Print. Correct. Reformat. Print.

Copy and paste seven files. Edit. Format. Print draft. Damn. Fight with Word. Curse Microsoft. Curse again. Oh. There must have been a page break there. Delete that. Argh. There are two copies of one file – where did the second one come from? Print. Proof again. S**t. Yet another not-so-elegant transition. Forgot a notation. Take a break before I print. Review. Print.

Find camera. Photograph the subject. Upload.  Where are the photos?!!  Oh, I’ve updated operating system since last upload. Poke around. Find photos. Import to iPhoto.  Edit. Blah! Bad shadows. Rinse and repeat. Matte or gloss? Print. Border is inconsistent. Print again.

3pm. Did I have lunch? How do I indicate which image goes with which story? Oh. Doh: number them. Search for razor-point Sharpie. Great gussie! Where are my mailers? Mad search ensues.

4:45. Dash to post office. Address one of their mailers at counter. Hand to clerk. Swipe debit card at 4:58 pm.

5:15. Pour wine. Sit on screened porch. Stare into space. Stare into space.stare into space. stare into spacestareintospace. . .

It took SIX hours to get a twenty-page proposal printed and mailed. SIX. (Well, really five, plus the hour looking for my stash of Priority Mail mailers and the Sharpie. But still.)

Twenty years ago, this project would have taken nearly a week to prepare. Remember when we had to type, and use correction tape or liquid, and retype (and retype) to get it perfect? Then save to a floppy disk and go to Kinkos to print and copy en route to the post office? (I’m still too ticked at HP to give them any credit.) But remember when  you had only a dot matrix printer?

I LOVE MY MAC.

His name is Newton. He works hard for me. He holds my data, and he finds it when I ask, nicely. He makes me look good. And he does it quickly. Usually.

Pronunciation: fi-lah-me-thee                                                                                                                    

Part of Speech: Noun

Meaning: The love of learning.

Notes: dating back to the end of the 16^th century. Its family includes an adjective, philomathic or philomathical and an adverb philomathically.  (Thanks to Dr. Goodword.  www.alphadictionary.com)

“Personally I’m always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.” —Sir Winston Churchill

Neither of my parents loved their jobs; they worked out of duty and responsibility.  Nor could they understand how seduced and enthralled I was by design. My college years fueled me, and I recounted the connections, the ah-has, the gleanings at the dinner table most nights.

I have been fed, spiritually and professionally, by my life’s work.

To this day, I do my best work—indeed, my best living—when I am learning. With each client, an interesting conversation, a lecture or film, every book. . . opportunities abound. I am philomathic!

At TEDxAtlanta this week, I heard some mighty fine music, and 18 minutes from nine speakers who are experts in their field, all of whom have found something unique, some new take, or a spark that led to a new application or outcome. Each provocative and compelling.

Once home, I stared into space for a while, then phoned to cancel my evening plans. I’d had as much pleasure as I could take in for one day—like eating, and not being able to take another bite.

I feel such gratitude for my ability to think, feel and understand. The willingness to give what Dr. Rita Charon called “exquisite attention” to people who have such passion for their noble work, inspires me to listen more, do good, and be better.

Oh! How I love learning.

Carpe diem

If you haven’t  discovered TED.com, don’t wait another minute. Go there NOW and watch this: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html

Then watch http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

Then,  pick something—anything— at random, even something you think may not be interesting, and expect to be wowed.