It is Time to Get Happy!
A couple of years ago, I made the commitment to be a Happiness Pioneer. It is quite a journey. Some days are easier than others to be happy. The ingredients of The Joy Factor, help keep me focused on what brings me joy and that keeps me and all of the people around me happy.
One of the things I consistently notice, is how certain converations raise my Joy Factor and leave me feeling good long after the conversation ended; just like a really good meal leaves you feeling satisfied for hours after the meal is over.
I was craving more of these conversations and wanted to share them with others that have the same desire.
In January, Get Happy! Hours were launched. Each month, we gather at Decatur Healing Arts and have a discussion around what raises your Joy Factor and brings sustainable happiness. After a rocky launch, it is one of my favorite times of the month. The first two events happened on snow days here in Atlanta! It rarely snows here, so I have to admit, I was wondering what message the Universe was giving me. The cool thing was that people still came! I knew I was on to something. Since then, I have met so many amazing people and the conversations are delightful and life enhancing.
This month, I have a very special guest joining us. Vanessa Lowry, the Gratitude Girl, will lead a delightful conversation about gratitude and joy-how delicious is that?
Click here to learn more about Get Happy! Hour and reserve your seat. If you do not live in Atlanta and are craving this type of conversation, gather a couple of friends and ask the question, “What brings you joy?” Let the happiness happen from there!
Enjoying The Ride
What good is it if you finish your ‘to do’ list but you had absolutely no joy in your day?
Some of us are more committed to completing our list than to having fun and feeling peace.
Consider this: You can have both… Really
Our lives are made up of a series of goals. Whatever they are; marriage, success, new home, children, losing weight, we all have them. In order to achieve these goals we do preparatory work to get there. Let’s call this the ‘process’.
In most cases, whether it’s one or 1000, our goals are finite. We have something set in our mind and think ‘getting there’ will be the ultimate feeling. However, we have MUCH more process time in our life then we have goal achievement time. What that says is, if you are hanging around just for the good feeling you get from the goal, you are missing all the good feeling you can have with the process.
We’ve all heard the term ‘enjoy the ride’. But do you? Do you enjoy the ride before you get to your destination or are you attached to the final outcome only? Imagine increasing your joy by embracing the in-between time. We do this first by deciding to do so and then by being in the moment and not in the future. Staying in your vision is wonderful, but don’t let it be at the expense of missing the joy of your moment.
For today, enjoy the ride, dance with the in-between time, embrace the process of your life and increase your joy.
Enthusiastically,
Fran
Plan for Positivity!
I love food! When I am not eating, I am thinking about eating. If I did not exercise, I could easily weigh twice the amount I do now. Eating brings me joy. I am a lucky girl - my husband Matt does most of the cooking for us. We are a perfect match, because cooking brings him joy. When I do cook something, I use a recipe so I am assured to get the results I am looking for.
Strategic Optimism is the next ingredient to raise your Joy Factor. It is a strategy; a plan that will make sure that if you want to be optimistic, you will be. Being optimistic is easier said than done. With all of the negativity out there, you have to be confident in your belief that things will turn out well. Are you seeing the world through rose colored glasses or really dark sunglasses?
It begins with choosing to be optimistic. Each day you wake up with a clean slate. You determine what kind of day you are going to have. Life will give you rotten tomatoes at times, yet when you have a plan for your optimism, you have something to fall back on.
Kahlil Gibran says, “Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens to you.”
Choosing joy is a practice. The first time you make a soufflé, it may fall. The second time it will get a little easier. As you continue to practice being optimistic, it will get easier and you will start to reap the benefits of putting your attention on something positive. Which is more appealing to you, thinking about the best thing that can happen or the worst thing that can happen? Try both ways and see which leaves a better taste in your mouth. You can then decide which you want seconds of. Let the tasting begin……
Is Your Fountain Full?
I love desktop fountains. They add such beautiful ambiance to a room. Have you ever been around one of those fountains when they do not have enough water in them? They make the most heinous noise. Liken yourself to one of those fountains. When you are full of what energizes you, it is easy for you to share that energy with others. When your fountain is empty, it is very challenging for you to add something good to your life or others.
The third ingredient to raise your Joy Factor is Self-Care.
What gives you energy? Think of activities that leave you feeling refreshed and alive. Those are some of things you can do to fill your fountain? I know, you don’t have a lot of time these days. Everything and everyone is moving so quickly- where can I squeeze in Self-Care? Try this- in five minutes, you can stretch and breathe, in 20 minutes you can catch up with an old friend and laugh, in 30 minutes you can make and enjoy a healthy lunch.
Using this delightful ingredient starts with pulling it off of the shelf and experimenting with ways that work for you and your family. Could this be the summer of self-care? Take five minutes and imagine what your life would be like with a little self care.
Cheryl Richardson , in her book Extreme Self –Care states…”The practice of extreme Self-Care forces us to make choices and decisions that honor and reflect the true nature of our soul.” She goes on to say, “While the whole notion of this might seem selfish or self centered, doing so actually allows us to make our greatest contribution to the world.”
Living a fulfilling life is a radical act. In the beginning, the act of self care may feel unusual. Yet, just as when you start any new habit, it takes a minute to feel comfortable. Go ahead—do something that feeds your spirit today and enjoy the wonderful impact it makes on your life and others.
Tomorrow’s tasty ingredient- Strategic Optimism. Want some?
Joy Arrives When We Expect It!
What is it about joy that everyone wants? There is something about the feeling it gives. When we experience joy and happiness, well, that is when hope is prevalent. When we can connect with what we want in our lives, possibility becomes present. When possibility is present, it is easier for us to put our time and attention on the things that are important to us, the things that we feel hopeful about. It may be something as large as the turn-around of our economy or the hope that our next family gathering will happen with ease and grace. When the combination of joy and possibility are there, magic happens. That is when we feel joyful. It feels magical because even when things do not go the way that we may want them to, when we are in a place of joy, that is okay.
My client Jennifer was recently stuck in traffic. She had a choice of how she was going to react. Yes, she was going to be late to pick up her kids, but there was still a choice. Because Jennifer’s foundation is one of joy and part of her natural state, it was easy for her to choose to be productive with this time, rather than waste it away with road rage. In the 90-minutes that she sat in traffic, she reconnected with her desire to write a book and came up with her idea and plan. She has now integrated writing into her life and is enjoying every minute of it.
What was present for Jennifer to capture the moment and use it to her advantage? She chose joy, tapped into what made her feel good about her dreams and passions and let herself imagine the possibilities. Hope was present and that helped to build the momentum that was needed for her to connect with the next right thing to do. She found the “right radio station” and turned up the volume. It is amazing what can happen in the car! Think of Jennifer the next time you are in traffic, in a situation where you seemingly have no control. Create your control, claim your happiness and create a life that you love!
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The Joy Factor
Welcome fellow Happiness Pioneers! You've come to the right place if you are looking to raise your Joy Factor. My vision is for everyone to live a life aligned with their passions and full of joy. The intention of this site is to offer you juicy nuggets that will increase your experience of joy and delight. Take a look around, grab something yummy and share the joy.
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