I Resolve to

December 26, 2011 By 7 Comments

We all waltz into the New Year thinking of things we want to accomplish during the year.  

I hope that my list of resolutions will inspire you to boldly resolve to make resolutions that truly matter.  

Doing this will inspire you as well as those around you.

 

I resolve to make the best of whatever comes my way each day

I resolve to smile daily, even if it’s through tears

I resolve to encourage my family to be their best, even when the worst is flooding our world

I resolve to enjoy the success of others and encourage them to keep pursuing their passion

I resolve to treat others the way I want to be treated, no wait… BETTER than I want to be treated

I resolve to be kind to those who are the meanest

I resolve to listen to my heart and not feel guilty for doing things for myself

I resolve to do what I can with what I have and enJOY it

I resolve to read a book a month (or listen…as I love audio books)

I resolve to be a positive force

I resolve to use my strengths without worry about how my weaknesses may come across

I resolve to allow my heart to sing freely

I resolve to find beauty in the Ordinary

I resolve to laugh daily….regardless (hey, if I’m gonna cry often, I may as well laugh even more)

I resolve to hug freely

I resolve to say thank you to someone daily

I resolve to learn from my mistakes

I resolve to face difficulties with courage

I resolve to let those in my world know just how important they truly are

I resolve to continue to be Matthew 5:16

I resolve to be compassionate

I resolve to let the hurt & disappointment that surrounds me to make me more determined

I resolve to keep taking the next step, even when I can’t see the path

I resolve to love, and do so freely

I resolve to celebrate the good, forgive the bad and enjoy the moment

I resolve to change what I can, fix what is wrong & find the good in the rest

I resolve to reflect on the blessings of the day at the end of the day

I resolve to celebrate small victories and push onward through challenges

I resolve to be content with what I have, while striving to improve where I can

I resolve to not allow circumstances to dictate HOW I live

I resolve to not allow guilt to eat at my heart

I resolve to stop and smell the roses when I’m near them

I resolve to believe that I’m enough and not compare myself to others

 

What are some of your resolutions?  Please encourage others by sharing them below.

 

Here is a free PDF of this article. 


Filed Under: Poetry, Spreading Joy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Collections

September 13, 2011 By 2 Comments

Rocks on My Desk

I think collections are pretty cool.  We all have them and they’ve changed as we change.  When I was younger, my room was full of stuffed animals, bells and unicorns.

I loved the feel of the soft plush babies and animals! Everyday I would arrange them randomly on my bed.  My unicorns and bells were on my shelves and counters.

I still have ONE unicorn from my original collection, a Christmas Ornament that I hang on my tree each year.

I hang an ornament like this every single year!

When I married, I couldn’t take them all with me, so I started giving them away to the children that I worked with each week. With the exception of  a monkey that I got when I was 11, I packed up all of my stuffed animals, hoping to “save” them and I don’t recall what became of my bells.  Odd.

Fast forward to today.  I collect spoons from the various places I travel and without realizing it, I collect rocks.  The top shelf on my desk has about 50ish rocks there.  Each rock was carefully selected by a precious little princess and brought in with a gleaming smile.  After receiving a huge thank you hug, the adorable princess, Megan, would  scamper off with her heart soaring because she gave me a treasure.  The unique thing about this collection is that I never once told Megan that I collected rocks.  I don’t.  BUT…I truly do love rocks.  All shapes and sizes.  Don’t ask why, as I haven’t got a clue.

It started when I was younger.  We’d travel to the mountains and I’d see smooth stones, flat rocks or sparkly rocks and would admire them.  Even now when I go on hikes or nature walks, I’m draw to huge rocks, especially if they are near a river, creek or even ocean side.  Nothing like sitting on a HUGE rock near a body of water.  I could sit and gaze for hours.

Here are some collections that I’ve run across:

Largest collection of Hair

Toilet Seats

Sugar packets – who knew?

Condiment Packets

Toast Portraits 

 

Do you collect anything without realizing that you do? Look around, you may be surprised.

Let me take a peek into what brings you joy…. tell me – What do you collect?

Is that different than what you collected as a child?

 

Filed Under: fun, Spreading Joy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Think Again!

March 22, 2011 By 13 Comments

Think you’re too small to make a difference? Think again!

  • Put a tiny rock in your shoe and walk a mile
  • Give a simple sucker to a toddler & watch their world light up
  • Try ignoring that fly buzzing about your meal
  • Leave that piece of dust under your contact
  • Smile widely with a tiny piece of black pepper stuck to your tooth
  • Watch what the ants will do with your slice of pie
  • Remember the grain of sand that became a gorgeous pearl
  • Think about the one smooth stone that took out a giant
  • Notice how one spark can consume an entire forest
  • One flicker of light pierces the darkest night
  • 1 person “going” for it, gives courage to the fearful
  • A reassuring smile brings hope
  • Gaze at the GIANT oak that was once a tiny seed
  • One single tear can soften the hardest heart
  • The difference of one second…. That allowed you to miss that accident or plane crash
  • Ignore that nail in your tire
  • Leave that splinter in your finger

These are just a few that I quickly jotted down!

I’d love to hear YOURS! Please leave them below!

If you are on twitter, please leave your @ name as well.

Filed Under: choices, favorite, fun, motivation, passion, Poetry, Spreading Joy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

30 Day Challenge Jan 2011

December 27, 2010 By 18 Comments

I love spreading joy to others, but more than that, I love how easy it is to get into the habit of spreading joy.  A new year is upon us and it is my goal to help you see just how easy it is to get into the habit of spreading JOY.

The 30 Day Challenge - ONE thing a day for someone else, on purpose.  That’s all it takes. It can be for family, friends or random people.  Your mind will be looking, thinking and preparing for ways of spreading joy in no time.  This can be anything to help make a difference.  It can be a smile, it can be an encouraging email or text message.

The sky is the limit here and it is NOT hard to do this. By the end of the month you’ll have gotten yourself into the habit of spreading joy and it will be a natural thing for you to do as you meander through your day. Being aware of opportunities is key and this challenge is designed to get you thinking and looking for ways to make a difference each day.

Here is the challenge.

Will you publicly join me in developing this habit of spreading joy?  If so, please let me know.  I’d like to add your name here to a list – so that I won’t forget who is joining me, but so that I can encourage you  too. If you are on twitter, please include your twitter name, cause I’m old and forgetful like that!

Together we can journal our daily acts of joy.  I will write in my journal each day about what was done and then every 3 days or so, come back here and update things in the comment section.  I would encourage you to do so as well.  This will encourage everyone that is participating.

I’ve done this challenge publicly before and here is a link to how it turned out.

I would love to hear how this challenge affected your daily outlook, if you had any troubles and just over all, how it made your heart feel, to think, plan and then execute this challenge.

Ideas to get you going:

  • Give away reesecups and Little Debbie Cakes randomly
  • Have a NO chore day for family
  • Leave the closer parking space for someone else
  • Purchase a book of stamps and mail to Spreading Joy
  • Recycle, recycle, recycle
  • Have a “Eat dessert first” night with your family.
  • Make a financial donation to Spreading Joy, see if your company matches charitable giving – 2 acts in one
  • Meet someone for coffee and purchase it for them.  Enjoy the chat.
  • Sign up for this challenge and invite others to do so as well!

There are some ideas to get you going. If you need more, don’t forget that there are a total of 100 ways of making a difference WITHOUT spending one single penny listed here and here on this web site.

Are you ready to take the challenge?  Are you ready to develop the habit of spreading joy?

Those taking the 30 day challenge:

@spreadingJOY

@smooth_stone

@GodsWordisTruth

@10thamendment

@LifeVerse

@sharritiner

@sweetshel

IF we all do just 1 act of JOY a day – so far we are up to 217 #actsofJOY for the month!! wow.  I’m so excited to be making a difference this way!! Thanks for JOYning me!!

Filed Under: challenge, choices, encouraging, fun, Spreading Joy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tell Me – How Are YOU Spreading JOY?

September 25, 2010 By 35 Comments

I love hearing about how others are making a difference, how they use their voice, how they do what they can, where they are, with what they have.  I’ve decided to make a place these exciting stories of hope and joy here.

I do hope that you’ll stop, take a moment and tell us below some of the things you’ve done for others.  It will not only encourage people to do more, but may spark ideas in some hearts as well…and THAT is spreading joy too!

I’ll keep reminding people every where I go – “There’s NO joy like Spreading JOY!” Your heart will be flooded with such joy and happiness when you are doing something for others that makes a difference.  Even if it is a smile, hug or something you consider small.

If you think that you do not have the finances to do for others and make a difference.  Think again.  Here are 50 Ways to make a difference without spending a penny.

If you’d like to make a difference by providing a meal/drink etc for someone – go to this page, click the “tickets” – print freely and enjoy spreading joy to others!

Thank you for your efforts in spreading joy!

YOU can do this!!

TELL ME – how are you spreading joy?

{{HUGS}} yall

Filed Under: encouraging, happiness, passion, Spreading Joy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

A Hug Is

September 11, 2010 By 14 Comments

A HUG is……

LOVE wrapped around you so tight

WARMTH when your heart feels cold

PEACE when the ocean within you rages

A SMILE when the tears flow

COURAGE when fear abounds

FULLNESS when the soul feels empty

DELICIOUS when the world tastes bitter

HARMONIOUS when your life is out of tune

HEALING for the one that is grieving

KINDNESS in the midst of hatred

STRENGTH for those weakened by the journey

WISDOM when confusion is all around

ENCOURAGEMENT when you feel defeated

PURE JOY when happiness is hiding

A WELCOME HOME after the day has been cruel

REASSURANCE when all confidence is lost

CERTAINTY when all is unsure

PRICELESS when the heart feels worthless

EXTRAORDINARY when typical over throws the day

MYSTERIOUS as the miracle of its uniqueness takes form

A WHISPER – I love you

What about you?  What is a hug to you?  Have ever received one at just the right moment?   Have you encountered a hug that was a smile from across the room that helped to dry the tears?

HUGS – Do you cherish these priceless miracles?

{{HUGS}} yall

**got to thinking, I should add a picture of the BESTEST hug I have received all year!! ENJOY**

The Best HUG ever. I'm so glad we get to be together for your birthday!

Filed Under: favorite, happiness, passion, Poetry, Spreading Joy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thank You

August 13, 2010 By 1 Comment

for delighting in my delight
for noticing when I need to be noticed
for paying attention to what makes me happy
and knowing no gesture is too small
for loving me as always
and the humor that makes me giggle – sometimes 3 days later
for the hugs everyday, so little to most but so HUGE in my eyes
for calling when you can
for helping me get through the day
for always knowing…always!
for honestly communicating with me
and allowing me to see you through
for the sparkle in my eye when I see your eyes sparkle
for the words that inspire me to give more
for listening when I need to empty my heart and soul of hurt
for guidance when I feel lost
thank you for all the treasures that you give to my heart
for the smile that lights my face each day
for the unexpected kindness you flood me with
for accepting me just as I am
and encouraging the little girl in me to run free
for your amazing smile that chases away gloom…….

Thank You!

What are YOU thankful for?  Are you aware of the wonderful  joys that are surrounding you everyday?

Tell me, what are the priceless things you are thankful for?

I love Wordles – so I created one using this poem. enJOY!

Click the Wordle to see it full page
Wordle: Thank you for....

Filed Under: choices, encouraging, favorite, happiness, motivation, passion, Poetry, simple, Spreading Joy, thanks Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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