Posts tagged uncertain
50 Ways to Prioritize Joy & Tip Your Life Balance in a Positive Direction

We’re in the last week of this year and in full holiday mode. You may feel stressed, calm, conflicted, anxious navigating holiday dynamics, sad, lonely, ready for company, happy this year is almost over, excited about your plans for next, grateful, ambivalent, uncertain, exhausted, or off-balance. No matter where you are or what you are feeling, increasing your joy awareness will have a positive outcome. In fact, experiencing more joy will bring a powerful counter-balance to life’s challenges.

One of the highlights of my week is a regular meeting I have with the Executive Mom Nest advisors and members. Marcy Stoudt, the Nest founder, developed a four-pillar concept, which she integrates into our gatherings and her coaching work.

The pillars are:

  • Vivid Vision

  • Aligned Action

  • Growth Mindset

  • Prioritizing Joy

During our last meeting, we focused on the pillar, Prioritizing Joy. She asked us to bring forward the “feeling of joy” by listing things that make you feel “comforted, present, inspired, and just plain good.” This was such a powerful thing to do. I encourage you to take a few minutes to create your own list.

 
Joy brings a powerful counter-balance to life’s challenges.
— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

Here are fifty ways joy finds me:

  1. Discovering bright spots of color in the bare winter landscape 

  2. Putting on my new cozy purple slippers

  3. Receiving an unexpected call or text from my kids

  4. Hugging my husband

  5. Having a deep conversation with a dear friend or loved one

  6. Creating a colorful meal

  7. Taking my first sip of morning coffee

  8. Seeing twinkling lights, sparkles, and glitter

  9. Clearing, cleaning, letting go, and organizing

  10. Touching velvet

  11. Eating fresh fruit and vegetables

  12. Spotting a sign of spring like the first purple crocus that appears outside of our dining room window

  13. Moisturizing, hydrating, and taking care of myself

  14. Writing

  15. Walking in the woods

  16. Tending to my mini herb garden and flower pots

  17. Watching the first big snow of the season

  18. Wigging my toes in the sandy beach while hearing and seeing the ocean waves flow

  19. Experiencing anything water-related – seeing, hearing, being, or playing in it

  20. Doing yoga

  21. Practicing mindfulness meditation

  22. Having virtual organizing sessions with clients

  23. Learning something new

  24. Baking

  25. Getting a massage

  26. Seeing the light and patterns dance along surfaces

  27. Swimming

  28. Changing into my PJs

  29. Taking photos and videos

  30. Smelling lemons

  31. Putting fresh flowers around my house

  32. Feeling the sun on my skin

  33. Watching, smelling, and listening to the crackling sounds of a fire

  34. Getting into our cozy bed at the end of the day

  35. Burning my favorite scented candles

  36. Reading a book curled up on the sofa wrapped in a soft blanket 

  37. Understanding something in a new way

  38. Sharing something I love with someone I love

  39. Humming

  40. Sipping a cold iced tea with lemon on a hot day

  41. Having a guilt-free “blob” day

  42. Spending time with our family and friends

  43. Setting a beautiful table

  44. Seeing something I never noticed before

  45. Traveling to somewhere new or familiar

  46. Holding hands with my husband

  47. Hearing birds chirping

  48. Seeing gorgeous colors

  49. Reading the hang tags on my Yogi Tea or the fortunes in my Fortune Cookies

  50. Laughing so hard that tears roll down my cheeks

When we prioritize joy, we increase our awareness of tiny moments, which will bring more balance, resilience, and happiness into our lives. These moments are there for you, waiting to be noticed and embraced. What are a few things on your “joy” list? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

 
 
What Is Your Joy Capacity During Uncertain, Volatile Times?
What Is Your Joy Capacity During Uncertain, Volatile Times?

What a week it was with a contentious election, rising COVID-19 cases, and so much unrest. To cope, we’ve been doing many things to quiet the stress. How have you been coping? I’ve been teetering between engaging in healthy and not-so-healthy activities. The unhealthy ones have included baking (and eating with some help) a tray of brownies with espresso chocolate chips and making two big pots of macaroni and cheese. On the healthy side, I’ve continued to meditate at least once a day, take walks outside, practice yoga, eat fruits and vegetables, and talk with family and friends. I’ve been on the look for those moments of calm and joy. Even when life is challenging, joy is present.

Last week, one of my good friends and colleagues, Yota Schneider, wrote a wonderful post, On Absorbing Joy. She asks, “What gives you joy?”  I love that question because it puts us in a positive seeking mode. And in case you are stuck, Yota offers many suggestions to seek joy-inducing opportunities, which include “engaging your senses” and “having a good conversation with your loved ones.” 

Even in the midst of the chaos, joy kept finding me.
— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO

This past week has been a rollercoaster of moods and emotions. Yet even in the midst of the chaos, joy kept finding me. I felt it as I noticed the light gracing a bright red leaf. I experienced joy when . . .

  • I giggled and laughed on the phone with my Aunt Bert.

  • I listened to the sound of the river lapping against the shore.

  • I heard the rustle of the crunchy fall leaves as they fluttered on the tree branches.

  • I felt the sun warming my face after many rainy, gray days.

  • I received an all purple surprise birthday package and card from an old friend.

  • I read two magazines cover-to-cover without any interruptions.

  • I saw my mom smile after waking up from a short nap.

  • I bit into the freshly baked, very hot, intensely chocolate brownie.

  • I visited with family after being apart for over a year.

  • I climbed into our cozy bed at night and snuggled next to my husband.


As human beings, we have a tremendous capacity for joy, even during uncertain times. How have you been coping this week? What healthy or not-so-healthy coping strategies did you use? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.