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For as long as I can recall, my 'Life Mantra' has been "Joy Is A CHOICE!". It's on my checks and my email signature and all over my house. I think I started this when I read a quote by Abraham Lincoln that was something like "every man has the right to be as happy or as miserable as he chooses". I really liked that. Ol' Abe was a pretty inspired guy! So, I reworded it to "Joy is a choice" and have been chanting ever since.
Recently, I decided it was high time to do something to spread the word. I've wanted my own personal website for a while now, and just couldn't seem to organize my vision of it well enough to actually build it. That is, until about 3 months ago. I was sitting at the computer, looking around for a web host and got all inspired when I saw someone else's site. I thought, 'you know, you don't have to wait until it's perfect. Just START. You can always fine-tune as you go!" The only thing I really saw clearly was that I wanted a site that would give folks a lovely little respite from the daily grind. A place where they could sneak 10 minutes away from their dreary work-day and find a smile or an inspiring thought or maybe even the nudge they were looking for to start something new. And so, JoyZAChoice was born.
This project has been one of the most fun things I've ever done. It took me about 3 days to get it dialed in well enough to actually publish it (on the web). Then, I went through my entire email list and sent the link to every person I know. As soon as I did that, I went back and looked at it with fresh eyes. And, BOYHOWDY!, did the ideas ever start flowing! I came up with all sorts of other things that were suited to the intention of the site, including links to other sites that inspire, books that I love, quotes, recipes (mostly my own...I love to cook!) and various other offerings.
Since I am largely involved in the Personal Development industry, both coaching and marketing products, I decided to include a business opportunity for people who are into the same vibe. In all, I came up with 11 pages that, in my personal opinion, tie in quite nicely. Then...I waited to hear from my friends/family to see what kind of feedback they'd provide. Most of the people I call "friend" are very honest with me when I ask for input, so I knew that if there were anything that was unappealing, I'd hear about it. One friend in particular, (who is both brilliant and very artistic) is what you might call "brutally honest", and it was her feedback I was most interested in hearing.
The 'reviews' came back with raves! Even my friend, the aforementioned artist, called and said "I LOVE IT! It's so beautiful! It totally shows who you are. I really do love it!". I was a bit surprised by her enthusiastic review, as she tends to be a bit on the cynical side and not necessarily the most optimistic person. For her to say she "loves it" was the proverbial icing on the cake.
The next step was to send the link to colleagues; people who work in the same industry as coaches, mentors, and advisors with the company I market products for. Of the 150+ people on our team, all sent notes of praise. Yippeee! Mission accomplished!
Now, in case you're wondering why in the world I'm going on about all this, given the title of this article, I'll make my way 'round to the point (and I do have one!). What I found, while going through this process of site building, was that the entire time I was doing it, from onset to this very moment, I had a blast! Even though I had absolutely no idea HOW to build a website, nor the language of HTML, I didn't let it stop me. I made the CHOICE to have this joyful site and then took action to that end. What it proved, for the zillionth time, is that whenever we are faced with any kind of challenge, if we'll look for the thing that will provide joy as we go, there's nothing that won't turn out well (or better than we expected!). It's not about waiting for the "thing" and then getting happy. It's about CHOOSING JOY FIRST and then doing whatever you want to do to create your masterpiece. In other words, the feeling comes BEFORE the action.
Sound backwards? Actually, it's not at all. In fact, it's been my experience that when we choose our emotional state BEFORE we take any action, that is precisely when we are given the keys to our success, no matter if it's personal, business, financial or physical. Put yourself in a good place. Imagine something, ANYTHING, that makes you smile and gets your blood pumping. Then, once you're FEELING it, go do whatever it is you're intending to accomplish. Scientific studies have proven over and over that people who begin a task in a "happy state" are more productive, take less time to accomplish said task, and have better overall results. From athletes to executives, doctors to 4 year olds, in every single study done, those who began their task in this happy state achieved much higher results than those who were either 'neutral' or in a less-than-good emotional state. Pretty astonishing if you think about it!
Well, now that I've given that whole discourse, let me offer one more thing ~~~ I believe, with all my heart, that every not-so-pleasant thing that happens is absolutely within our control because the things we THINK are the things that ARE. This is nothing new to people who've been exposed to the Law of Attraction. Thoughts become things. Think it, focus on it and it IS going to show up in your reality. Even if you don't believe it, it's still working. Kind of like gravity. You don't have to believe in that either; it doesn't matter. The Law of Gravity is still at work, regardless of your beliefs. Same goes with your thoughts. So, the 'trick' is, to really pay attention to how you're FEELING. Because those feelings are your indication of your thoughts. If you're crabby or ill or just plain miserable, you DO have the power to change it. Just think new thoughts! Change your focus for 17 seconds. SEVENTEEN SECONDS. If you will do that, you'll find you can do it for another 17 seconds, and by the time you reach 68 seconds, you have successfully changed your emotional state BECAUSE of the new thought you CHOSE to think. Don't believe me? Try it.
Joy IS a choice. And you get to choose at every moment of every day whether or not you'd prefer Joy or something less pleasant. "It's all you. Every bit of it. No exceptions."
Merriest Holidays and a Joy-Filled Day to YOU~
Camille Olivia Strate is an author, empowerment coach and critter keeper in search of the perfect pasture. Among her many passions is assisting people in returning to their 'true selves' by way of empowerment coaching. She believes strongly in 'paying it forward' and lives by 'do what you love and the money will follow'. Her latest book, "Whispers" is now available in eBook format. Hardcopy to follow soon! Visit her personal site at http://www.joyzachoice.com
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