So here’s the thing.
Life Happens. I realize this is not news to you but let’s take a step back and really think about the enormity of that statement…it’s kind of overwhelming, right?
Life…Happens. Time keeps ticking along whether we want it to or not. Life doesn’t care if we are in crisis, or depressed, or stuck in a rut. Life keeps on walking, and if you’re lucky it occasionally looks back and asks us, “are you coming or not?”
Do you ever feel like you’re chasing after a better life, or a happier life, or a simpler life? Do you feel like you’re always trying to catch up?
Yep, me too. I am passionate about living life to its fullest but I also try to find that balance where I am not sacrificing my sanity either. I chase joy-filled situations to add to my life story all the while being yanked back by deep-seated responsibilities. This is where people like you and me seek out life balance. Here is the other thing, it goes deeper than just seeking out a balanced life. There is a key ingredient that is missing. And its absence helps to create the imbalance to begin with.
What is that key ingredient? Keep reading, I promise I’ll share.
Overwhelming = Lifeless
For many of the people I talk with, everyday life is overwhelming. Getting through the next day or even the next hour is difficult. I also talk with people where life isn’t so much challenging as it is mundane and typical. Life is moving along but in a quiet, flatlined kind of way. As I am listening to others, I am hearing from both sides that life is not happening at all and that it is, well, lifeless.
I remember as a teen and young adult that having a life filled with responsibility and routine was somewhat of an achievement. I hear from many people that while that is true, they have somehow lost that ingredient that makes an ordinary life a little extra. Both groups of people want more and need more. They are seeking out a simpler life with more balance but especially more of that secret “something.”
“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” Helen Keller
The secret ingredient is…
So what is that secret ingredient? The magical key ingredient is joy. Simple, consistent, powerful, pure joy.
Life always brings moments of happiness but quite often I am hearing that the joy of life has been replaced with anxiety, crisis, uncertainty, routines, chores, and responsibilities.
I want to challenge that. I don’t believe for a second that being anxious or responsible or aging cancels out the right to have joy. Like, BIG Joy.
I don’t believe we need to settle for a mundane, joyless life. Yes, life happens, and yes, it gets insane at times, and yes, at some point we will all struggle, but that doesn’t mean that our lives cannot be filled with joy. Pure, crazy, big JOY.
Seeking out that big joy doesn’t mean we throw responsibility right out the window. Oh no, my sweet…we still need to contribute to our lives and society in a meaningful and productive way, so Yay for being responsible, but people…life will continue to happen so why not make it happen with Joy?
Webster’s defines joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. Doesn’t that sound pretty damn enjoyable? Ha, see what I did there?
The challenge
So let’s challenge this together! Let’s make room for more joy in our lives. I want you to join me in crushing the notion that we can’t have pure, crazy, big joy AND be adults that wear big girl panties and have responsibilities.
Beginning Sunday, July 28 I will launch an 8-day Finding Joy Challenge. It will be self-paced and emailed to you directly. You will be invited to join the private Facebook Group so we can share experiences, trials, and revelations throughout the challenge. On the odd days (Days 1, 3, 5 and 7) we will dive in and learn about different aspects of our lives where we can find and create joy. On the even days (Days 2, 4, 6 and 8) we will put what we learned into practice. I say practice because as my 9-year-old reminds me often, “Practice makes progress, not perfection.” He’s completely dead-on with that sentiment and I want you to experience progress in your life after these 8 days with me. I would love for you to join me and see if you can design a better life, a simpler life, a more joy-filled life for yourself. So my question to you is, “Are you coming or not?”
Look for the registration form on the right of this page and sign up today for this FREE 8-day Finding Joy Challenge and discover how pure, crazy, big joy feels.
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