“There is a tendency at this time of the summer (for those of us in the northern hemisphere) to start to cry a little bit about how summer is over!

There are plenty of summer days and summer fun ahead.  I find that there is a good balance between doing a little planning for the best things on your summer wish list and keeping some days just for doing nothing.

And the doing nothing may be an early walk on the beach or in your town under the shade trees, making sure you have time for reading the books on your book list, arranging a little  road trip or get away, collecting some friends or family to do some fun things – going to an outdoor concert, riding a Ferris wheel, taking a complete break from your devices even for a few hours.

You can fly a kite, play miniature golf (my favorite and I am so much better at it than real golf), listen to the cicadas chirping and watching the fireflies emerge at night. And of course, there are fireworks and making lemonade and eating a cold sweet ripe watermelon.

Make your list and feel the delight at doing these simple things. Your summer will then be filled with joy and it will create lovely memories for you and your loved ones before the autumn leaves start to fall.

Share your ideas with us to help inspire others to get our and enjoy life more.

As women, it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget to let go and be playful. In my work as a life coach, I see this all the time among the women I serve:

• we’re overworked
• overstressed
and often…
• putting everyone else’s needs before our own. 😣

But here’s the thing:

We all have had a time in our lives when PLAY was a big part of our day. Now it seems that stress has taken over. You are just one step away from allowing play and joy back in. And that step is to just give yourself permission – to be happy, joyful, relaxed, and have fun.

From dancing by yourself to picking up some crayons and paper and just doodling away, these moments remind us that happiness is really made up of lots of small, memorable experiences that we can cherish along the way.

Where have you found joy and fun lately?

Post some of your ideas to share!

And be sure to get a copy of my book “How to Soar with a Broken Wing: Finding Tiny Moments of Joy Every Day” if you’d love to feel happier, less stressed, and more in charge of YOUR life! https://loom.ly/X96pBfg

Use code JOY2023 for 20% off the book price!

The other night I attended a relaxing and insightful meditation session. The space was calming and inviting – starting with the mint tea and a soft fragrance and music in the background. Exactly what I needed.

During the session, the young woman leading us asked about what did we need right now?  And loud and clear a voice in my head said ‘Ice Cream! A Milk Shake!” I had to laugh to myself – it wasn’t a deep mystical need, but something soothing and yummy that made me smile.  Perhaps it was a message to be more carefree – to be more like my younger self.

After the session ended I was very relaxed and mentioned the need for ice cream. One of the other participants said there was a little ice cream shop just one block away and she was walking in that direction. Ah – manifesting – I love it!  – ask and you shall receive!  We strolled along, chatted and she introduced me to the owner who happily scooped out a cone of butter pecan – I hungrily grabbed the cone and started to enjoy it –  creamy, dense, buttery with just the right amount of pecans.  (I opted not to have the chocolate milkshake I was thinking about so late at night – all that sugar would surely kick in around 1 am so I chose sleep over chocolate.) I wanted to finish my cone by the ocean and decided to drive a short distance to the beach and it was only then that I noticed the paper cover – it said JOY!  I had to laugh and think yes, just like in my book, Joy is all around us if we just look and pay attention.  It was right there in my hand but I didn’t notice it until almost the end.

Today is a great time to look for the joy in your life – it is right there for you, too.