Live the JOY:Trust your inner wisdom

Live the Joy

JOY ~ Journey of You March 4, 2011

Quick Links

www.kellyepperson.com

JOY Letter Archives

Past joy droppings feed the soul.

JOY every week!

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ITALY MAY 2011

We have a couple more spots now - wanna come honeymoon with me and Mr. Romantic?

"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking."

~Marcus Aurelius

Why does a quote from an old dead guy have more clout? If I said the same thing, without attributing it to anyone, would you think it was as wise? (I do see some of the joy stuff show up on Facebook - thank you. Spread on!)

Start trusting your inner wisdom. The quotes I share are re-affirming or reassuring or say things in a snappy way. But the wisdom they say so pithily is already inside you.

You know what makes you happy. You know if your relationship/job/whatever is not the right fit. You know it. Taking action to make it better is the hard part.

Every week do one small thing. Maybe this week, you banish the thought "I hate my boss" every time it pops in your head. Replace it with a more positive thought: I like my work hours. I like my office mate. I like the fact that I get paid once a week. I like that this job gives me health benefits. I like ...... find something you like about your job and think that thought instead of the negative boss comment.

Every time your boss annoys you, just say to yourself, "Poor guy," and change your thoughts to something else. It takes practice. Each week do one more small thing to like your job better. If you determine that the job is absolutely not what you want, start doing one small thing each week to get into the job that would make you happy.

The same rationale applies to relationships. What one small thing can you do to improve it? If you know it is not right, what one small thing can you do to build the courage to leave it? (If it is not a healthy relationship, then no more baby steps. Take the giant leap and end it.)

If you don't know what makes you happy, start asking yourself that question: What do I want? And if you need a nudge to get your thinking going, listen to the old dead guys; they were pretty wise.

Words to Ponder:

Stop learning. Start knowing.

~Rumi

(another old dead guy)

JOY DROPPINGS

What brings me JOY lately...

Andrew (Eppy) letting his mommy hug and kiss him on the basketball floor (Rockford Christian basketball team is still undefeated; last Friday sealed Regionals; Wednesday's win was too close for comfort; this Friday night determines Sectionals)(Please chant beginning at 7:30 pm: "I believe that we will win.")

cutting down the net after Regionals win

Tyler and Blueman Eric and crew leading the student section (TyTy is far right)

Dr. Seuss birthday

and my silly somebody

hearing from YOU! Bring it on joy friends!

Pretty please keep sending in YOUR Joy Droppings!

We will create a lovely book come end of this year.

What I like about ME

In your JOY Journal, record daily joy droppings, quotes that speak to you, books you want to read, movies you want see, songs that grab you, things you want to do, AND "Things I Like About Me." The greater your self-confidence and like of self, the greater your level of happiness. What I like about me...

* My clients call me a "gifted wordsmith."

* When I'm tired, I go to bed. G'nite.

* I'm serious, silly, and sappy.

Testimonial

"You are only the second newspaper person I have ever felt I really wanted to write to, just to say thanks; the other is Leonard Pitts.

Your article in the Freeport Journal Standard is a highlight of my day, it's so great to read about someone who got through the divorce thing-and the really scary mom thing of a son with cancer. Many years ago I too was divorced.... I was not as brave or smart as you, I hid from the world until I had to wake up and get my life going again. Wish you had been around then.... but I'll be 70 next year and plan to celebrate big time!

I just wanted say THANKS, and keep it up."

Ruth E, Freeport, IL

AATH = Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor

Conference APRIL 7-10 in ORLANDO. Be there! It's a deal and a boatload of fun!

www.aath.org!

In 2 words:
HUMOR HELPS!

Birthday Love

HAPPYHAPPYJOYJOY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO:

MISTY COON

CAROL SANDERS BOSLEM

JULIE OSTROW

PATRICE CHERRY

MAYOR DARRYL LINDBERG

PJ FRANCIS

ADAM RUSCITTI

ANDREW TAYLOR

HAPPYHAPPYJOYJOY TO ANYONE ELSE WITH A BDAY THIS WEEK/MONTH, THIS YEAR, LAST YEAR!

**IF I MISSED YOU, SEND TO ME AGAIN. I'M SYSTEM UPGRADING AND DON'T WANT TO MISS YOU!**

(Send in your birthday. Each month a name is drawn for a JOY prize delivered via snail mail.)

Sage Advice

"We all have to start with ourselves. It is time to walk the talk. Take the journey of making very difficult decisions. Start removing things from your life that are not filling your cup and adding things that bring joy in to your life."

~Lisa Hammond

Click and read

My linked column here was written a couple days before last Friday's joy ezine, where I shared my reaction to the reality of my son deciding upon Arizona State University.

THANK YOU to all of you who sent me your kind words of wisdom and caring. If I have not yet responded to you personally, please know how much I appreciate all the heartfelt stories and virtual hugs. One dad (thanks, Phat Pat) sent a Native American quote that goes something like:

We raise our children to leave us.

Kelly's newspaper column -

My firstborn going away to college

Kelly's blog for healthyrockford.com -

103 year old happy gal

All a girl needs: A HBM (Hair Brush Microphone)

Not poking fun or diva-ing it up today. Sweet little song from a sweet little band from sweet home Chicago.

1,2,3,4 - Plain White T's

WORD NERD

from JOY Spreader Kathy Batzkall,

"I have a new word for you - cicerone.

My son in California is studying to be a certified cicerone - a person who "guides" others to choose appropriate beers to pair with the food they are having. Not surprisingly, he's having a good time "studying"! "

check out the program at www.cicerone.org

Any cicerone will tell you - beer, it's not just for breakfast anymore.

JOY = Writer/Author Events

Best selling author Joan Anderson, A Year By The Sea, is the guest at this year's Womanspace Luncheon, April 16. LOTS of great stuff at this event. You will be delighted. Get your tickets now!

Best selling author Kelly Epperson (I've done my best to sell a few books) is the guest at the kickoff of In Print, professional writers group, March 12. All are welcome. Free. 1:00 pm Cherry Valley Library, State St, Cherry Valley, IL.

See you there!

HAPPINESS CLUB

First Thursday of every month

All are welcome. If you have been wondering about H Club, come check it out.

Free. Fun. Food for thought.

HAPPINESS CLUB, LOVES PARK, IL

6:30 - 8:00 pm

North Suburban Library, 6340 N. Second St., Loves Park

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A short video clip of me and H Clubber Marie chatting up the H Club!

Quote Junkie

"Trust in yourself. Your perceptions are often far more accurate than you are willing to believe."
- Claudia Black