• Wednesday, June 09th, 2010
I just got off the phone with my Mom who is celebrating her 84th birthday. She is my hero, enjoying life to the fullest and kind-hearted to others. Mom was back from the gym, where she still works out five mornings a week, and preparing a hot lunch in-between phone calls from family and friends wishing her a happy birthday.
anthurium CC photo credit: delphaber
Mom told me how delighted she was to receive a beautiful exotic plant this morning from a Chinese lady at the gym. The plant, an anthurium with its dark green heavy leaves and red heart-shaped flowers, was a fitting match to the heart-centered woman who is my Mom. I asked her how she came to meet the Chinese lady.
Mom met her a few years ago when the lady came to the community fitness center where both my parents work out. Mom saw her walk over to the treadmill, push a few buttons, step off, wander around the exercise equipment with a perplexed look on her face and then head for the exit door. Mom bolted after her, stopped her at the door and continue reading “When Words Fail, Follow Your Heart”
• Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
If all you did was just look for things to appreciate
you would live a joyous, spectacular life.
- Abraham-Hicks
My Sunflower
I’m enjoying another day in paradise – blue sky, sunshine, gentle breezes. I especially love the feeling of the sun on the soles of my bare feet. Ahhhh…. happy feet. My toes are waving in glee.
I’m vacationing in my back yard, sitting in a lawn chair with a notepad, taking a little break from twittering on the computer. The nearest tweets are coming from real live birds. The wind is rustling through the trees and I’m sipping a cold glass of iced tea.
My summer is unfolding even better than I intended. I wanted to be in that vacation feeling all summer long and so far so good. I’m in the middle of a “work day” between coaching calls and just basking in the moment.
Finding things to appreciate is one of the fastest ways to get into a better feeling place. Want to try this yourself? continue reading Secret to a Joyous Spectacular Life
• Friday, June 12th, 2009
I believe that we are here for the joy of the journey. I am so passionate and committed to creating a delicious life from joy that I call myself the “Joyous Renegade.” My calling is teaching people how to create lives they really love by choosing JOY FIRST. If we’re not enjoying our lives, we’re missing the whole point.
Here are my own rules for creating a magnificent life with ease and joy.
Joy is the Measure of My Success
I measure my success not by the money in my bank accounts or the stuff that I have (although I like my stuff!) I measure my success by the joy that I feel. I set goals for the joy of having a direction to move towards. I enjoy the journey to my goals, whether I choose to lie on the beach or surf the biggest waves. continue reading Rules for the Joyous Renegade
Imagine a woman getting up at 4:30am every weekday morning to get ready to go to the gym. Driving in Edmonton, Alberta on even the coldest days, with snow on the ground and icy patches on the road. And while at the gym, working out on the treadmill for 30 minutes, the stair master for 15 minutes and lifting weights up to 10 pounds with each hand. Then a series of exercises on a balance ball. And after that perhaps a few laps in the pool. Can you imagine that?
Now imagine that this woman is 82 years old.
Well that describes my mother Margaret Evers. She made a commitment to get in shape when she retired at age 60 and continue reading My Mom, My Coach
• Saturday, February 28th, 2009
I’m still having fun with the affirmation I told you about yesterday: “Thank you for everything. I have no complaints whatsoever.”
Here’s the latest:
I was driving around the crowded parking lot of the local mall when I saw an empty parking spot half way down the alley. I made a dash for it, arriving seconds before a blue Acura coming in the opposite direction. We both stopped. I saw that he had a better angle for getting into the spot than me. I waved at him letting him know the spot was his. He waved back the “go ahead” to me. We smiled at each other. I waved at him again. “No really, you go.”
He smiled again and did something I didn’t expect. He put his hand to his lips and blew me a kiss!
And pulled into the parking spot.
What a rush! I felt as giddy as a schoolgirl with a crush. Just like that. A kiss from a stranger. It made my day. I plan to do it myself to another stranger soon. Paying it forward. 
~~~~~~~~~
Similar Posts:
Thank You For Everything!
Secret to a Joyous Spectacular Life
Celebrate What’s Right With the World
• Friday, February 27th, 2009
Sometimes that negative voice in my head can be a tyrant, spewing out one discouraging thought after another. Today I discovered an affirmation in Alan Cohen’s book “A Deep Breath of Life” that could stop that tyrant dead in its tracks:
Thank you for everything.
I have no complaints whatsoever.
When I first said this affirmation, I said it slowly several times to let the meaning sink in. It felt good to remember what I was thankful for. So good that I decided to practice this statement all day. Throughout the day, if there was any hint of a complaint or negative judgment coming up, I’d repeat the affirmation.
Here’s what happened: continue reading Thank You for Everything!
• Tuesday, February 24th, 2009
Water Lily
I’m thrilled how everything came together perfectly to create this blog and I want to give thanks to my awesome team.
Thank you Jessica Renner of StudioHatch for designing the beautiful header. And Peter James of PJPhotoart thank you for creating the photo art picture of me that’s in the header.
Thank you to my sister Lydia Ducharme for your enthusiastic support in creating this blog, and to Shira Moir-Smith for editing and inspirational support!
Thank you Brian L. of Templatelite Wordpress Themes for creating this beautiful maple leaf blog template. And thank you to the creators and wizards of WordPress who taught me how to personalize this blog template to my liking!
Thank you Kelly Athena Richards for letting me have the domain name “joyfirst.com.”
Thank you Abraham, Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks for teaching me the ultimate secret to creating the life of my dreams!
And many thanks to my wonderful parents, children, and husband Howard who help me remember Who I really am in this joyous journey through life.
