When I was a kid I remember my Mum calling me 'JennyJoy'. I was happy, carefree and liked making others happy. When I hit my teenage years, the Joy seemed to dissappear altogether. Now I know this is common for many teenagers but for me it became pretty severe. I changed into a totally different person, suffered depression, anorexia and eventually severe Chronic Fatigue. This went on for years. About 7 years to be exact, with me spending much of my time in bed extremely sick. Those were very dark days and I don't remember laughing much or feeling any Joy whatsoever. What was there to be Joyful about? Life just totally sucked!!
I remember people saying things about having positive thoughts and creating what you want in your life. Things were so bad for me that I was just irritated by this stuff. It upset me because I couldnt see a way out of the darkest pit that I was in. Fast forward many years to my early 30's when I set out on a determined journey to find some meaning, purpose, passion and Joy in my life. I didnt really know how or where to start but I read books, talked to people, attended seminars and started putting positive things in place in my life and more importantly my thought life.
I'm now 42 and I am amazed how much has changed in my life. I have Joy again. I laugh everyday, speak positively about everything and truly expect the best for myself and my family. This isnt some brain washing. It comes naturally to me these days and I've noticed how it's affected my husband and three children. Life doesnt suck anymore. It isnt always easy and our circumstances havnt changed alot but we've changed!! Everyday has Joy. Don't miss it because you're too busy being grumpy. Be Grumpy and everyone around you will suffer, be Joyful and everyone around you will rejoice!!!
Sue
Joy is 'The emotion of great pleasure arising from present or expected good.' Maquarie Dictionary.
To find out more about creating Joy in your life come and hear Amanda Gore at our next Red Hot Events and Seminars Workshop, Friday 3rd Feb.
Following on from my post yesterday regarding the frustrations we sometimes go through and the feeling of maybe giving up, I want to talk today about how we can take little steps everyday to give us the boost we need. I talked yesterday about shining your light to the world. This may sound weird to some people but I was reassured this week listening to Amanda Gore say the same thing. It was like bathing in warm milk this week going along to listen to Amanda speak. Here she is talking right at me (I'm sure), speaking my language and reaching straight into my heart.
Did you know the number one thing people need is Acknowledgement? Everyone wants to be noticed for what they've done, appreciated and valued. Amanda had us all laughing as she told us to do little and big TA DAA's with everything we do. If it's a big achievement, do a big TA DAA. Jump up, throw your arms out and yell 'TA DAA'. Yep, just like a little toddler thats proud of the wee they just did on the potty. If it's a little achievement, do a little TA DAA. If someone's watching, all the better, if not, celebrate with yourself.
Its so simple. We all want acknowledgement and yet we race through our lives all serious that we forget to even acknowledge ourselves. But, you may say, 'isnt that a bit self absorbed?' YES!! Ofcourse it is. Look after you then everything else will follow. Why on earth do the flight attendants tell you to put your own oxygen mask on first before you put it on your childs? Because if you're dead you cant help anyone!!!! It's okay to love yourself, celebrate yourself, sing your praises and tell yourself you're doing good. Laugh about it. Fill yourself with joy, act like a child sometimes, do your TA DAA's and have fun with what you do everyday. Don't just keep it to yourself though. I doubt that I even need to say this. You will automatically start celebrating with others and doing little TA DAA's with them. They will love you for it, you'll make them laugh, but most importantly, you will help them see how valued, special and amazing they are.
Did you get up this morning? Well TA DAA!!!!!!! You're here!!! That alone deserves a big TA DAA!! Well done. Love your work, keep it coming.
Sue
BTW if you want to hear Amanda speak, she's speaking at the first Red Hot Event for the year on The Sunshine Coast, Friday 3rd Feb. Click HERE for details.
I'm going to get raw and vulnerable with you. This isnt always easy to do. You see these days I'm used to being happy and positive and full of enthusiasm. Thats the part I like to show people and thats the life I like to lead. These last few days however, have been a little difficult. I've been confronted with some not so positive stuff and some REALLY not so positive people. It almost knocked the wind out of my sails. I've made a conscious effort to surround myself in love this past year and to be with people that are kind, supportive and loving toward me. This has changed my life and given me so much joy.
The difficulty is that not everyones like that. It's impossible to only be around people like this ALL the time. Life just isnt like that. Sooner or later you will have to face those that may not treat you well and may make you feel pretty lousy. The trick is to be ready for that. Be strong and prepared and have a plan of how you will handle this. Know that it will happen and when it does, this is how you may feel and this is what you can do to cope.
I like to fix things. I like to rescue people from their problems and make everything better. I wish we could all live in peace and happiness. Sadly, not everyone wants that. Not everyone wants to solve their problems and learn to live a more fullfilled life. Many people don't know how and actually don't want to know how. This amazes me and I find it so hard to accept. But accept it I must.
What I've learned this past year is that what matters most is my own happiness. Because from that place I can truly shine and ignite joy in the lives of those around me. This is what I desire more than anything. My life has not been easy and I've risen from much adversity. But through that I have learnt to shine and be an inspiration to others.
I can't 'fix' everything but I can 'fix' myself. I continue to grow, learn and change everyday. Its a journey that I love and will take anyone thats willing along with me. Those that arent, I wish them well and hope that one day they may find their own joy.
When I was a kid I remember my Mum calling me 'Jenny Joy'. I was happy, carefree and liked making others happy. When I hit my teenage years, the Joy seemed to dissappear altogether. Now I know this is common for many teenagers but for me it became pretty severe. I changed into a totally different person, suffered depression, anorexia and eventually severe Chronic Fatigue. This went on for years. About 7 years to be exact, with me spending much of my time in bed extremely sick. Those were very dark days and I don't remember laughing much or feeling any Joy whatsoever. What was there to be Joyful about? Life just totally sucked!!
Uncategorized | Sue | 
January 17, 2012 11:45 am | 
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