Live the Joy JOY ~ Journey of You May 14, 2010 |
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Past joy droppings feed the soul.
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Love can't change the weather...
That is a song lyric (from John Ondrasik, Five for Fighting). (All of life is a song lyric). (and I can't carry a tune).
There are some things we cannot change, like the weather. We cannot change other people and we cannot change the fact that sometimes, sh*t happens.
The essence of happiness is knowing the difference between what we cannot control and what we can indeed change. Spending my energy raging at the rain is pointless. We know that, yet we spend precious energy raging at the attitudes and behaviors of others around us, and that too is pointless.
The only attitude and behavior we can change is our own. Your boss/ex/neighbor may indeed be a jerk. You cannot change that. How you deal with the circumstances, your reactions, is your concern.
Letting go of anger and bitterness may not happen overnight, but you carrying venom toward someone else is only eating at you.
Practicing happiness techniques builds your immunity, physically,mentally, and emotionally. The more you focus your attitude to positivity, the more it becomes a habit. The more you look for the good, you will find it. Then when the "bad" creeps into your life, it will have less power to bring you down.
The process of learning to be happier is like building a foundation for yourself for when the rains start to pelt and also like insulation to keep out the harsh winds. It happens in layers, little by little. Reading positive stuff like this is mortar.
Keep building. Forecast calls for sunny skies.
Words to Ponder~
I've got sunshine on a cloudy day.
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Lyrics to love |
Even though she's flying high, she can't help but wonder why
It took her half her lifetime just to find out
She could let herself learn how to be real, to be radiant...
Christine Kane, "How to be Real"
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good for the soul |
" Give people a fact or an idea and you enlighten their minds; tell them a story and you touch their souls."
~Hasidic Proverb
Let's tell our stories. Let's touch souls. |
Picks this week |
Book Pick - Oh, The Places You'll Go! Dr. Seuss
Best gift book ever -for babies, graduations, anything
(yes, I know I've picked this before; I have not had time to read a book this month.)
Flick Pick - Iron Man (the first one)
Watch it before you take in Iron Man 2. RDJ rocks.
Your JOY assignment this week:
Be good to yourself. No berating. No comparing. Just heavy doses of self-love.
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Lose yourself in what you love |
You will recognize your own path when you come upon it, because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need.
-Jerry Gillies
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Birthday Love |
HAPPYHAPPYJOYJOY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO:
CHRISTINE KANE
TOM PALEKA
PAUL WENGER
TESSA KOEPP
SUSAN RICHARDSON
RILEY EPPERSON
AND to
ALL who are celebrating this week/month/year
(Send in your birthday. Each month a name is drawn for a JOY prize delivered via snail mail.)
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Giggles |
"Some thoughts from a retired mind:"
(thank you, Don Morrison, for sharing!) |
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I was thinking about how a status symbol of today is those cell phones that everyone has clipped onto their belt or purse. I can't afford one, so, I'm wearing my garage door opener.
You know, I spent a fortune on deodorant before I realized that people who avoided me just didn't like me.
I've come to realize that the secret to a happy life is not looking like Barbie or Ken and suffering through tofu and rice cakes to stay that way. It's eating chocolate, staying chunky and explaining that you're really a perfect size 6, but you keep it covered with fat so it doesn't get scratched.
I know, when people see a cat's litter box, they always say, "Oh, have you got a cat?" Just once I want to say, "No, it's for Visitors."
Employment applications always ask 'who is to be notified in case of an emergency.' I think you should write, "A Good Doctor!"
Just once, when someone says "How are you?" (without really wanting to know), I'd like to say "Well, I can't keep my teeth in, I pee on myself every time I laugh, my hair is falling out, I cannot see where the heck I'm going most of the time, my back hurts and I pass gas every time I sneeze (and feel like sneezing right now)!
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Quote Junkie |
Consciously cultivating thankfulness is a journey of the soul, one that begins when we look around us and see the positive effects that gratitude creates. ~ MJ Ryan, Giving Thanks
(Thanks, Happiness clubber Marj from Orangeville!)
Let us begin the practice of CCT,
Consciously Cultivating Thankfulness.
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Sage Advice |
Kids communicate with no inhibitions. They speak from the heart. Strive to communicate person-to-person, heart-to-heart in everything you do.
~Tom Asacker |
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Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love.
Charles M. Schulz, Charlie Brown in "Peanuts"
Charlie Brown. We love him, but did he love himself?
Who did the happy dance? Snoopy.
I'm not sure if the little red-haired girl ever fell for Chuck, but I want you to fall in love with yourself. And enjoy peanut butter again.
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Kelly's newspaper column - Writing books
Kelly's blog for healthyrockford.com - When Life stinks, go to France |
Speaking Gigs (living my joy!) |
KEYNOTES (in the key of life)
May 6 - Shelter Care Ministries Annual Luncheon
May 6 - HAPPINESS CLUB 6:30 pm
May 8 - Garden Prairie UCC Mother-Daughter Tea
May 12 - OSF Nurses Week Awards Banquet
May 15 - AAUW Sorority
May 18 - Byron Women's Club Spring Luncheon
May 20 - Alpine Seniors
May 21-23 Words in Play retreat, Sunapee NH
Visit www.wordsinplay.net
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JOY EVENTS |
JOY Dance Party! (tentative Oct 1)
Details TBA
JOY One-Day Retreat
OCTOBER 9
ANDERSON GARDENS, Rockford IL
Joy: A Luncheon
December 2
Briggs Mansion, Rockford, IL
"Join Us on the Lake" Creative Expression/Joy Retreat, Lake Maggiore, ITALY
JOY of Writing
Do you have a personal story to tell? Journaling, poetry, short stories, creative nonfiction, novels - what brings you joy? Creative juices will flow with simple, fun exercises; how to get going, keep going, and overcome writers' block. If your goal is to be published, we'll cover that too. Learn the Basic Do's and Don'ts, how to find markets for your writing.
You must pre-register. Small class size, plenty of personal attention with lots of Q&A in this casual, interactive 1-session "fun"shop. All levels of experience. Space is limited. Reserve your spot now. $65.
Evening June 2, 6 pm - 8:30 pm OR Day June 4, 10 am - 12:30 pm
(feel free to come to both sessions- no, I won't charge you twice)
North Suburban Library Community Room, 6340 N. Second, Loves Park
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What brings me joy.... |
* Irish pubs, new friends, old friends and a Coca-Cola jersey on the wall
*Pretending to be a rock star
*My really cool JoMama (belated happy mothers day to all)
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The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.
-William James |
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HAPPINESS CLUB, LOVES PARK, IL
NEXT MEETING:
Thursday, June 3
6:30 - 8:15 pm
North Suburban Library, 6340 N. Second St., Loves Park
Program - Roni Golan, Laughter Club |
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Yep, life is pretty close to perfect.
Happiness Vending Machine
(Thank you, Peggy Swing, for sharing!) |
Word Nerd |
from dictionary.com
malapert \MAL-uh-purt\,
adjective:
1. Unbecomingly bold or saucy.
noun: 1. A malapert person.
I'm all for being bold and slightly saucy; just don't be unbecoming about it. |
Thought provoking |
The female pigeon cannot lay eggs if she is alone. In order for her ovaries to function, she must be able to see another pigeon. If no other pigeon is available, her own reflection in a mirror will suffice.
uselessknowledge.com
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Thomas Jefferson is attributed these words, "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock."
Mr. President, I concur.
joyfully,
xxkelly
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SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY JOY AND PASS IT ON
Spread the word! Let's build an army of JOY Spreaders! | parting shot...
Conflict cannot survive without your participation. --Wayne Dyer
let it go
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Kelly Epperson
kel_epperson@yahoo.com
PO Box 2324 Loves Park IL 61131
Member AATH - Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor
Member AHA - American Happiness Association
Founder - Happiness Club of Loves Park, IL
Member NSNC - National Society of Newspaper Columnists |
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JOY |
New book, 365 Days of Joy, is in the works and coming soon. $20
(hmm, how long can I keep saying "soon"?) |
When LIfe Stinks, It's Time to Wash the Gym Clothes (collection of newspaper columns) $10
Shirts ~C'est Bon and JOY*US $10 |
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