January 15, 2013
What’s your “joy factor?”
After nearly two decades of studying and observing human development – especially young people – it is very clear to me that our lives as humans are meant to be filled with ease, joy, lightness and play.
What I’ve discovered is that many people think that the joy and playfulness comes after they have better relationships and more money; but that’s backwards. The truth is, once you experience joy and feel light and playful, financial and relationship prosperity quickly follow.
So the question is, how can you increase your “joy factor?”
For starters, you need to be aware of it, which means you need to tune in to how you feel. When you’re feeling tired, hungry, hurried, fearful, stressed or scarce, your joy factor is low.
But you are in complete control of your joy factor at every moment of the day! You can choose to shift to joy, instantly!
Check out the video to learn how, and then share your response to the challenge I pose inside the video on the blog. I bet you’ll feel more joy if you do!
xo-
Carrie
Ready to feel more joy?? Share your answer to the video challenge on the blog and then invite your friends and family to do the same!
Oh, in the 11th hour I added a couple of really amazing new goodies to my Evolve 2013 offering that are going to really rock your parenting world! They’re sure to bring you loads of ease and joy, so stay tuned for that…it’s coming really soon!
I'm grateful for a sunshiney winter morning in Portland
I'm grateful for: 1.) A husband that gets up and helps the baby go back to sleep at 4am, even when it's not his turn. 2.) My iron-willed, imaginative, healthy 4yo daughter. 3.) My no-longer-a-baby, but not-quite-a-toddler-yet, healthy, happy 1yo son. 4.) A job that allows me to work from the armchair in my living room. 5.) Delicious, clean water straight from the tap!I'm grateful for 1) connecting deeply with new friends over tea at a delightful cafe.
2) Housekeepers! Beautiful housekeepers that care for the areas of my home that I have NO interest in caring for. 3) The closeness of my husband's work—enabling impromptu lunch dates and pedestrian commutes. 4) Working for myself, from a home studio (see #1 and #3) 5) A delicious son who nourishes me with his humor, curiosity, creativity and wisdom.I'm grateful for another gorgeous day in paradise
I'm grateful for: -a partner who is equally ambitious, creative and committed to excellence in her work and bringing tremendous value to her blog subscribers -having the awareness to actually implement the wisdom that comes from carrie and other mentors -aly's smile and laugh and temperment. she is just one of the happiest most beautiful beings on this planet that brings me pure joy -the rejuvenation power of sleep -my ultra comfy bed!I'm grateful for time for yoga classes
I am grateful for knowing how to eat and cook well...for being able to buy organic and foods that are more sustainably produced/grown....for having a sweet and generous husband...for learning so much about life and love through my 20 month old daughter...for having so many choices and learning (daily) how to make the most positive ones!I'm grateful for 1) the music my son played on his xylophone in the car this morning
2) the reminder from my daughter to take delight in her brother's music in the morning "he's a rock star"! 3) the kisses I had rained on my cheeks at the second dropoff 4) getting past a 5-day stomach bug (not me, one of the kids) 5) my husband getting up this morning to help get the kids out despite having gotten in *really* late after flight delays, and not even being cranky about itI'm grateful for Relationships
1) a husband that loves me despite my challenges 2) two healthy children who are still young enough to want to be around me and care what I think, and hold my hand and want me to lie next to them in bed as they are falling asleep. 3)my childhood friends that check on me and know me so well and will always be part of my DNA. 4) my sister for being the most constant supporter of me and protector when she needed to be and the only one that gets the madness and appreciates and laughs over the ridiculousness. 5) my son's school for making him feel so connected to everything about the school's community, for allowing him to flourish at his own pace and for drawing him to the joys of reading and writing so much that he brims over with it when he comes home.I'm grateful for Abundance
I'm grateful for my sweet, beautiful family, my garden, my rockin collection of coffee mugs, nourishing food, and big community of brave, funny, curious, playful, generous friends.I'm grateful for connection.
I'm grateful for all the wonderful work that Carrie does to nourish family life, learning about children's different brain states, boundaries, intention, gratitude, learning how to play, learning about prosperity, the support I've had through working with Carrie in Evolve 2012, the amazing group of people on the forums who put so much love into raising their families or / and to impacting the world with love. I grateful that in this life we never stop learning and evolving and that I can now see how others are on that same path.I'm grateful for gaving the opportunity to express my gratitudes here!
I am grateful for having Evolve and Carrie in my life for 2 consecutive years, I have shifted my way of living, thinking, parenting to a whole new great level. I am grateful for having 2 healthy, fun, incredible kids and 1 amazing husband. I am garteful for a creative flexible fun job that allows me to work while my kids are at school and be with them when they come back. I am grateful for having a wondeful christmas surrounded by family visiting from everywhere, my house was crowded with love. I am grateful for a whole new year ahead of me. I am grateful because this "evolvian" adventure and style of life will stay with me forever. And I am so grateful for welcoming the word intention and gratitude into my daily routine!I'm grateful for a little time to myself in the middle of the day.
I am grateful for: 1) the new YMCA that opened up right smack dab across the street from our home! 2) My healthy, happy, busy, loving kids (who are getting along beautifully for once!). 3) My hoppity husband who made me lunch last night while I finished up writing an assignment sheet for my freshmen so I wouldn't have to worry about it this morning. 4) A job that allows me a flexible schedule and a life of the mind. 5) My mamas, my mamas, oh my beautiful mamas, who are my daily inspiration and supplier of wisdom and connection and are my chosen family.I'm grateful for sunshine on a snowy day;
the opportunity to do creative work with my husband in a loving community; good and getting better health and vitality; two energetic and creative boys who challenge me to grow and reward me with loving hugs, kisses, and words ever day; having enough and more than enough of what we all need to live and flourish.I'm grateful for My Beautiful 3 year old daughter who gives me the best hugs & kisses! (and cuddles!) She keeps me going! Lol!
#2: My Fiancé and all that he does and (although it may make him crazy at times) the fact that he has a good paying job. Lol! #3: My loving and (for the most part) healthy Family.... Just wish they all lived closer #4: Owning a spacious home in a beautiful, quiet part of the city (with great neighbours) #5: Having a job(s) that allows me the opportunity to spend my days with my Daughter and 2 nephewsI'm grateful for three kids napping at the same time.
I'm also grateful for the sunshine and gorgeous weather, kiddo #2 being healthy, water, heating to feel cozy when the weather dips, green smoothies, time to fold laundry, a great visit with a friend last night, yummy lunch, my mama intuition, do-overs.I'm grateful for Great, big hugs
I am grateful that I have a partner who loves me despite my "imperfections." I am grateful for two amazing children, who haven't ceased to bring me joy every single day since they entered this world. I am grateful for the quiet moments, when I can catch my breath and reflect on how rich my life really is. I am grateful for loved ones I've lost, who continue to remind me to celebrate and appreciate every minute I have on this earth. I am grateful for my cat, who snuggles with me night after night--even when I'm no picnic to be around.I'm grateful for SOOOO much!
Wonderful family, most of whom live closeby. A better husband than I could have possibly imagined. Delightful, fun, sassy, wildly imaginative daughters. Intending to feel spacious today, and feeling it. Beautiful weather. Trees you can see through during the winter--the barebones, rugged look of nature right now. Bright red cardinals. Girl Scout Cookies. Quiet time during naps. Patience when naps aren't forthcoming. Feeling calmer, happier, more confident and joyful than I felt a year ago. Carrie and all the lovely people around her. :)I'm grateful for My amazing partner that is holding down the fort for 10 days while I'm traveling!
That my two beautiful children, husband, myself and mother are all healthy. That we are all intellectual beings with a lot of curiosity. For all of the beautiful experiences I have had in my life (so many!!). To live in a place and land of plenty and peace, with no fear of immediate danger or war. The love my amazing children give me even when I am 'crazy mama'.I'm grateful for this beautiful sunshine-y Austin day.
1.) Grateful for a partner who will sit and have the tough conversations. 2.) Grateful for a 3-year old who shows compassion and empathy. 3.) Grateful for a 20-month old that knows how to make us laugh. 4.) Grateful for work that gives me time with my family. 5.) Grateful for two cars that get us where we need to go.I'm grateful for my family , my life
1. My amazing family - immediate and extended (coming off of a great weekend having stayed with our inlaws and celebrated my daughters 4th in a fun, memorable and connected way!) 2. My husband who took the kids to the grocery store so I could re-assimilate us back into the house and make healthy snacks for the week 3. 3 hours before midnight sleep! (and Carrie sharing that this is double time.... it is!) 4. Our beautfiul house - it's just the right size and has all these great pictures and memories that remind me of our great family 5. My job - it's overwhelming but gives great stability and medical benefits to my familyI'm grateful for a few quiet moments alone in my own house!
1. A relaxing Sunday morning with my hubs and two rascally boys. 2. A new attitude we have as a family this year--intentional, fun, and creative. 3. The amazing community of support in Austin 4. Our big backyard 5. My husbands quirky and clever humorI'm grateful for the ocean.
1. Today, on our last morning of vacation, we saw dolphins playing right offshore 2. Fresh squeezed orange juice - a real treat for a vermonter! 3. A few moments to myself while daddy and nana play with the boys 4. Coffee - wow I just love a cup of coffee in the morning 5. love flowing between all my family membersI'm grateful for the ability to see and feel.
The first five things for which I am grateful are my amazing family, my many lifelong, dear friends, having a job, my health and having a home and food. So many don't. I'm grateful every day and have felt most of my life that I am the luckiest person I know.