The Joyfulicity Blog

Rocks do not have feelings. But, humans definitely do, and that’s ok. That’s the basic premise for this intriguing book about mental health. Mark Freeman is not a licensed therapist. It's important to understand that when evaluating the advice he proposes. He’s more of a mental fitness coach, giving practical tips on how to navigate a healthy path based on his personal experience. He candidly shares the negative effects that OCD and anxiety had on his own daily life and relat

It seems like everyone (including yours truly) has a side hustle (or two?) these days, doesn’t it? Multitasking has become the way of the world in an ever increasingly frantic charge to get ahead. Competition is fierce out there, and enough just never seems to equal enough. Is this fast paced, driven lifestyle sustainable? Or even desirable? Jefferson Bethke says no.

When I was a young mom I took a series of cake decorating classes. I wanted to know how to make cute, unique cakes for my kids' birthdays. It was fun learning to make my own icing and create roses and fancy designs. I spent hours working on what, in many ways, were art pieces. My favorite that I ever made was an aquarium cake. Imagine seaweed made from green fruit leather. You get the idea. It was a lot of work, but I loved the process.

There is a toll taken on our minds and bodies when they are continually active, and not given the chance to rest. Physical exhaustion and mental fatigue ensue, and even anxiety and depression can result in extreme cases. I knew I was far too busy and needed to slow down, but I didn't realize the full extent of how severe it was until I actually tried to do it.

10 time wasters I personally discovered and eliminated or at least limited: (maybe some of these will sound familiar to you too)

One of the most powerful realizations I ever had was that I have no future. I don't mean that in a fatalistic way. Simply that the future isn't actually real. It is only an illusion or idea of what might or might not be real someday. So I have hope for things in the future, of course, but I don't have an actual future that can be owned, pinned down or guaranteed. A million factors could come along between this moment and a future moment to alter the outcome or course I am on.

In our modern world we run awfully fast. In addition to our primary jobs, many of us have "side-gigs." In the pursuit of lofty goals we push ourselves so hard sometimes that we have no days off. Many households are being run by single parents. That's a lot to carry alone. Cell phones are a blessing, but also mean that we are "available" 24/7. Even in downtime we are busily scrolling social media and games. There is immense pressure to keep our bodies and homes magazine worthy

Untethered and alive at last. Stepping into my passion hurts a little. But it’s the sweetest kind of pain that leads to joy.

Who do you love? I mean really, really love? What do you love? Deep down at your core? Sometimes it can be surprisingly hard to sort this out actually. Your brain may give one answer, while your actions are telling a different story.

Love people. Just simply love them and they will feel it. Never miss a chance to make someone else smile. Their happiness will radiate right back to you.

We can wait it out patiently. At times that is all we can do. But usually there comes a critical moment where we have the opportunity to make a decision. To consciously look for the benefits that can come from the twists and turns life throws at us, and deliberately walk toward them. To not only endure the tears, but choose to embrace ways to transform them into happiness. On purpose. To actively participate in turning your "why me" into your Why.

I ran and I ran and I ran, several times a week. I was seeing improvement at long last, but dreaded going out every day. I was pushing myself grudgingly along one morning, as usual, mumbling to myself about how much I hated running, when I suddenly just stopped in my tracks and started to laugh. Wait...what?? I hated running, I realized. Not because it was hard, or because I lacked drive or willpower. I had achieved many other fitness goals in other realms over time, that too

We understand this concept instinctively when it comes to money. If we have a thousand dollars to invest, we will search for the vehicle that will bring us the highest return on investment, and put our money there. This just makes sense right? But do we do this with our time?

Do you have something in your life that you would like to change or accomplish that seems elusive and impossible? Think about ONE thing you CAN do today that starts you moving in that direction, even if it seems insignificant or like it won't make much impact. The biggest change will be in YOU. That you believed in yourself enough to start walking.

The rise and fall of the lungs. The continuous flow of living. Embrace it. Allow that rhythm to sustain your body, soul and vitality without impeding it. Breathe into it. Just breathe.

I had my older kids pretty much convinced when they were little that "shut up" was a swear word. I still kind of think of it that way. There is a cruelty in such a demand. To enforce or even imply that someone else's voice ought to be silenced is arrogant and often dangerous.

Don't over think it. Don't judge it. Don't restrain it. Just follow joy where it leads and embrace the journey.

I believe that one of the greatest challenges of this journey called life, is learning to find beauty in the broken. To piece-by-piece create something unique and new as often as is required. Lessons learned, compassion gained, perspective and strength all combine into the dazzling mosaic of a life reimagined.

Is a dandelion pretty? I guess it depends on how you decide to look at it, and whether you focus on the weeds or the wishes. The same is true for a body image or even a life. Where your focus goes...that is what you will see. But that may not be the whole picture.

On the day that I die, whenever that time may come, my hope and prayer is that I will leave echos of love and light behind me. The incomparable Mae West once said, "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." In other words - Make it Count!