Day 1,117 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Tuesday – 11/24/2020

Creating My Own Joy

Well, this is a first on a couple different levels.

I am Creating My Own Joy. have always believed and was raised that the Christmas tree should not go up until the day after Thanksgiving. Though since I am not hosting Thanksgiving, why not? Some things that we see as rules are just perceptions.

Second, this is the first time I’ve put up a Christmas tree in my new house though it’s the third December I lived here. Two Decembers ago I was in the Cayman Islands getting married to Steve and then spent Florida in Christmas. Last December, Steve and I returned to the Cayman Islands for our Anniversary and then I spent Christ and New Year’s with him in England.

This year, I don’t know what December is going to bring. I’m not sure yet, where I will be and if Steve and I will be together. Even though I may not be here for the holidays, why not put up a tree? I’ve been waiting until the moment was perfect and the timing right to put up the first Christmas tree in my “new” house. Though in life, we don’t always know the perfect moment or right timing in advance. Sometimes we only see it in hindsight. We can’t always control everything that happens though we can do things bring joy into our lives.

My Christmas tree is not yet decorated though having the house lit by the lights on the tree, makes me smile and reminds me even though I can’t always control what is happening around me, I can create my own joy.

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

Day 1,116 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Monday – 11/23/2020

Such a Cute a Card

Such a cute a card and gift that I received in the mail congratulating me on my business success. Between the gift and a question posed to me, it made me think of what has propelled me to where I am today. I go back to a saying I came up in an interview in 2014 – “Be persistent at being consistent and watch your business grow.”

Anything we do consistently, we will become good at. It takes time to develop a habit and to become good or even great at something. Many people start things though don’t stay consistent over the long term to allow the results to happen. There is a sowing season and a reaping season. If you keep sowing, the harvest will come. Many people stop sowing before they ever see a result and then wonder why it doesn’t work for them.

And that’s where persistence comes in. You have to be persistent enough to do the activity, the habit, the action everyday over a period of time to become consistent. It’s that persistence that helps you show up and do the work even on the days you don’t want to or don’t feel like it.

The sky truly is the limit for all of us. We are capable of much more than we can even imagine. Though we must become persistent at being consistent. When we do, magical things will happen.

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

Day 1,115 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Sunday – 11/22/2020

A Fantastic Team

I am really blessed to work with such a fantastic team! Since our company launched A Better Way just over two weeks ago, we’ve had 180 new team members join our team. Plus, these four ladies are on fire with each of them having 10+ new A Better Way team members. Because of this achievement. they are each now part of our company’s Winners Circle! Way to go Willie Diefenbach-jones, Mary Embry, LaChelle Adkins and Cathy Connors!  You all make me so proud. And the best is truly yet to come!

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

Day 1,114 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Saturday – 11/21/2020

Life is Better With Girlfriends

Life is better with girlfriends! I love through golfing my friendship has grown with these smart, driven, and beautiful ladies. The weekends always bring laughter, smiles and lots of fun. Thank you for enhancing my life and for your friendship Jill & Tina!

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

Day 1,113 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Friday – 11/20/2020

Great Day on the Course

Great day on the course. I am slowly improving my game. Shot my best round on Sweetwater Pecan. Tina Nguyen Burr and I had to create our own fan club. Ha ha!

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

Day 1,112 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Thursday – 11/19/2020

Focusing on Relationships

I believe one of the biggest gifts of 2020 is the gift of slowing down and focusing on relationships. It was nice to be able to spend the evening with my friend Cathy Connors celebrating her birthday! And yes, we had to make do with what was on hand for candles! LOL!

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

Day 1,111 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Wednesday – 11/18/2020

Have you ever opened your refrigerator

Have you ever opened your refrigerator or pantry. Stared in and wondered to yourself “why do I have so much food in here?” I started intermittent fasting (IF) five months ago, and have found with this new lifestyle. I tend to overbuy what I can eat in a given week. I eat far less than I used to though I still have a habit of buying a ton of food. I have conditioned myself over time to use food to avoid other emotions – stress, boredom, sadness. Plus, if I want to celebrate – food is my go to.

Having moved into IF, I have seen myself try to reach for food when encountering emotion. Having an eating window has made me more aware of a habit that started at a very young age – at least back to fifth grade, if not before.

I have found this week, this odd sense of wanting to eliminate the amount of food in my refrigerator and pantry. I don’t like throwing food away so I’m slowing going through and eating what I have. I must admit I think it’s odd though I think I’m learning more and more about myself in this journey. I haven’t completely banned buying new food though what I do buy must help me eat what’s already in my house.

Yes, odd, though I think sometimes we go through periods in our life and step away from the norm to make a transition in beliefs we’ve held as fact for a long time.

I’m not sure why I am compelled to share this message today though I feel prompted to. Maybe it’s for my own healing or maybe it’s for someone else that needs to see this message. Sometimes things may seem odd to us or if we share really odd to others. Though maybe, it’s just what we need to journey through to have a breakthrough.

#LovePeopleLoveLife #IInspireFreedom

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

Day 1,110 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Tuesday – 11/17/2020

A Very Special Gift

I received a very special gift in the package in mail from my Aunt Peg and Uncle Ed. Inside was one of my Grandma Dorothea’s bells. It touched my heart they would send me this bell so unexpectedly. I will cherish it as the beautiful gift it is that connects me to my family and to my past. I feel blessed in so many ways. Thank you, Uncle Ed, and Aunt Peg, for this gift.

I remember the day I learned of my grandmother’s death in early January 2005. It was a brand-new year, and I was miserable in my life. I remember waking up every day and complaining about my job and my life. In her death, I sensed I needed a rebirth in my own life. I decided staying stuck and complaining about my life was no way to live.

I started looking for a new job immediately. It was at this point the entrepreneur in me was reborn. The decision to stop being miserable and staying stuck led me to a different corporate job later that year that would ultimately make me realize that I truly was searching for was my freedom. It was the lack of freedom, I felt in my own life, that make me feel stuck and miserable. I didn’t know at that point where my life would lead. Though I did know I needed to make a change.

The first step may not lead exactly where you think it will lead though it’s in taking action that you begin your path to freedom and moving from being stuck to unstuck. May this bell always remind me of my grandmother and that life is meant to be lived and enjoyed.

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

Day 1,109 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Monday – 11/16/2020

Happy Mail

Wow!! So much happy mail waiting for me in the mailbox today! I feel blessed by all of the notes of love and congratulations.

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

Day 1,108 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Sunday – 11/15/2020

Reed’s birthday

So fun to enjoy an afternoon on the golf course with my nephew Reed and his fiancé Sierra to celebrate Reed’s birthday! Happy Birthday Reed! So great spending the afternoon with the two of you!

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.