We say that the only sure thing in life is that it will change. These changes, welcome or not, can range from the tiniest ones, like waves gently lapping at our feet, all the way to shifts that hit like a tsunami. For me last fall, the sea of change was gentle. Life was rolling along easily, and it felt good. Stay in this moment and enjoy this feeling I told myself, but no one can stop the natural flow of life. There were rumblings, concerns. I watched. I tried not to worry, but the tsunami hit with life altering force. Read more »

I can’t say that I’ve written all my life, but I can say that I’ve felt a need to write all my life. I was blessed to have two middle school teachers with wonderful writing programs. The first had us writing each day to develop our fluency. She also insisted upon an outline for each piece, and while I rarely used outlines after that, I have to admit this did teach me to organize. The next year I had a teacher who taught us about creativity. Each week he showed us a picture from the back of “Look” magazine and asked us to create a story around the scene in the picture. The photos were always quirky and amazing and defied reasonable explanations, leaving only room for imagination to take hold. Read more »

Can you remember a time in your life when coincidences ran wild? I sure can. I was divorced in my thirties. I had two small children and a life to redesign. Fear, confusion and turmoil cascaded in upon my life as I tried to find my way. Yet within this swirling mess, order would appear when and where it was least expected. Read more »

Since ancient times humans have attempted to explain coincidences, those random events that somehow seem connected. Mark Twain was fascinated by the phenomenon and kept personal writings about incidents that he called mental telegraphy. He believed that individuals were sending what we might now call telepathic messages to each other, consciously or unconsciously. Read more »

Animals grace our world not only on this plane, but also in the spirit realm. If we are open to their messages, they can help to guide, protect, inspire, and encourage us. Many people identify strongly with one particular animal, their power animal. I found my power animal several years ago through a guided meditation while taking a class. I still feel a strong connection to that animal, but also happily welcome the help of many animal guides. Read more »

As the New Year looms before us, many among us will feel compelled to make New Year’s resolutions, just as we have likely done in the past. Have you ever wondered why we do this? How exactly did the practice of resolving before the start of every New Year come into being? And, why do we keep making resolutions, many times the same ones, year in and year out? Why, too, is it that we just stop at some point, generally early in the year, honoring those resolutions? What if we changed from making resolutions to articulating affirmations? Read more »

I have decided that January needs a new first name. I don’t remember it ever being my favorite month, but there must have been one because my daughter was born in January many years ago. That would have been a joyful January, and that is the name I shall return to the month. Read more »

We have all heard about changing your thoughts to change your life. But only recently did I discover just how much the words we use really ARE frequencies of energy that carry vibrations influencing moods and outcomes. I learned first-hand how swapping a few little words could make a world of difference in our experiences and maybe even change a hurried and hassled holiday season into a more heavenly one! Read more »

Once upon a time, I was reluctant to become involved with Facebook. I originally joined so that I could see pictures of my grandkids. Here I am a few years later, and not only do I have a personal page, but a JoyfulLifeTools group page as well. What began as simply a way to connect with family has blossomed into a way to communicate with people from all over the world. That dawned on me for the first time when JoyfulLifeTools was young. I’d posted my Monday Motivation as usual. I received a response that said something like, “The Monday Motivation is great, even on Tuesday.” I was a bit confused because it wasn’t Tuesday yet…at least not for me. I soon realized, however, that it was Tuesday in Australia, and that’s where the comment came from. It was at that moment that I truly began to appreciate the ease at which we can now communicate with people around the world. Read more »

Oh no! Where did the time go? How could it possibly be November already? Wasn’t it just April, or wait, the Fourth of July? How could it possibly be November? That means (shuddering), the holidays are right around the corner! Read more »