When one door closes . . . .

. . . . another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.

-Alexander Graham Bell

Photo via Google Images

Have you ever . . . .

. . . . been in a situation where something you said didn't come out quite right? You didn't mean it the way it sounded, and more than likely it was just a minor slip-up. Well, unfortunately it can be easy to do, and we all know what a sinking feeling that is! It can send us in to a deep hole of embarrassment. Who was it that once said...I may have small feet, but they fit perfectly in my mouth! When you realize you've said something wrong, stop immediately, even if you're mid-sentence, and apologize. Don't make excuses. Own up to what happened and move on. The last thing you want is the feeling of having to avoid the other person the next time you see them at the other end of the grocery aisle. Saying you're sorry immediately will go a long way towards making a bad situation, better.

"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug."

-Mark Twain

Photo via Getty Images

True enjoyment comes from . . .

activity of the mind

and exercise of the body.

The two are united.

-Alexander von Humboldt

Photo's via Google Images

My intentions . . . .

It was one year ago that I launched This Way To Joy, and began posting here, on this site. Over the weekend I perused my own blog, reading back over the older posts and asking myself what it is that keeps me posting, what it is that inspires me, and even thinking back to why I even started this. I realized that I have to give credit to my sister-in-law, Jenni, who recommended a very motivational book called Making Your Dreams Come True, by Marsha Wieder. This is the book that defined my personal dreams. I honestly wasn't even sure what my dreams were until I read this book. It was literally the roadmap that led me to This Way To Joy. The author states that your beliefs "either move you forward or hold you back," and I realized that I wanted to move forward with the belief that I knew I could lift spirits and encourage others to find their own joy, and I could do it by posting inspirational messages, quotes, and words of encouragement. Honestly, nothing makes me happier. So here I am, 315 posts later, revealing my intentions. I have to admit that my posts are intended just as much for me as they are for my reader. They act as my daily reminders to do whatever I can to be a better person. Many bloggers keep track of how many hits they receive each day, but I don't have a counter on my blog, so I have no idea how many people visit me. I'm pretty sure I prefer it that way. Most days I truly believe I am the only one reading it, which keeps me posting from my heart, and prevents me from obsessing about the numbers. So, to my readers.....if This Way To Joy brings you even a sliver of happiness, an ounce of joy, inspires or motivates you in any way, my dreams have been fulfilled.

I thank you,

Connie

P.S. I do love and appreciate your comments. They make MY day, lift MY spirits, and encourage me to keep posting, so please leave them as often as you like.

"To do something, however small, to make others happier and better, is the highest ambition, the most elevating hope, which can inspire a human being."

-John Lubboc

Ask yourself . . . .

Got a question? About life? About work? About love? About your past, present or future? Very likely there are lots of great people in your life you can turn to for answers, but none know you like you know you! And none are as wise to the ways and the needs and the dreams and the desires that are your own as you are. Neither could another know of your greatest potentials nor of the promises life has in store for you. Ask yourself for the direction you seek and look for the answers in your feelings and intuitions. Listen, too, to your mind. The right way will feel good and make sense. Expect answers!

The mysteries of your soul begin

to show themselves when you look within.

From the book Choose Them Wisely

by Mike Dooley

Photo via .la douleur exquise.

Always . . . .

Via Thresca

HAPPY FRIDAY!

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

Love yourself . . . .

"The greatest gift you will ever receive is the gift of loving and believing in yourself. Guard this gift with your life. It is the only thing that will ever truly be yours."

-Tiffany Loren Rowe

Here's To You . . . .

Photo via Guy Aroch

From the book "Here's To You"

"We need not be afraid . . . .

. . . . to touch, to feel, to show emotion. The easiest thing in the world is to be who you are, what you feel. The hardest thing to be is what other people want you to be."

-Leo Buscaglia

Photo via Getty Images

Awesome . . . .

Who or what in your life is AWESOME? Think about it. Few things in life are truly awesome. The definition of the word means "extremely impressive or daunting." Although it gets thrown around too casually in today's culture, once in a while it applies so beautifully to things like:

• a breathtaking sunset
• music so moving it makes you cry
• the rush of love at first sight
• that initial glimpse of your newborn baby
• a beautiful, starry night
• the kindness of a true friend

Make someone's day. Tell them...."you are a great friend - and your kindness is awesome! For that, I thank you."

Photo via Getty Images

Open up your mind and . . . .

Happy Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

"We sit silently . . . .

. . . . and watch the world around us. This has taken a lifetime to learn. It seems only the old are able to sit next to one another and not say anything and still feel content. The young, brash and impatient, must always break the silence. It is a waste, for silence is pure. Silence is holy. It draws people together because only those who are comfortable with each other can sit without speaking."

- Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook)

Photo via Getty Images

Listening with your heart . . . .

"God gave you two ears and one mouth" . . . . what does that tell you? I'm thinking that if more people really understood what it means to listen, it could change their life. It could certainly change their relationships. Most of us with siblings grew up simply trying to be heard. We talked over each other. We certainly talked louder. It's sad to say, but most of the time it was true. The squeaky wheel got the grease, right? So at what point did you learn to listen? More than likely you met someone who really listened to you, which made you take notice. You realized what it meant to be heard. Someone was paying attention!

Are you a listener that participates in the conversation or are you just waiting for the other person to stop talking so you can speak? First, you must quiet the chatter in your mind, and engage yourself. If you are constantly thinking about what you are about to say, you surely cannot hear what the other person is talking about. Pay attention to the words and feelings that are being expressed to you. It is then that you will begin to really hear what the other person is trying to convey. Hopefully, at this point you will begin to feel the connection.

I recently read an article that said, 'once the other person realizes that you actually heard what they said, they will most likely relax, share and trust you'. I love that because that's when true communication begins. That's when the real conversations take place. Learning how to truly listen will be the best gift you ever give to yourself and to those you love. Listening with your heart is truly invaluable.

"Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand."

Pure pleasures . . . .

The first sip of hot coffee in the morning.

The last check mark on your to-do list.

A peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

The feeling after a great workout.

The smell of the grass after it rains.

An ice cold beer.

All photos via Google Images

Photo via Google Images

Adventures for the body, mind & spirit . . .

When my new workout clothes arrived at my door last week, I found a postcard slipped inside the package that instantly captured my attention. It was an advertisement for a women's retreat, and when I saw the tag line...'Adventures for the body, mind & spirit', I found myself putting the clothes down so I could read more about this intriguing trip that I immediately envisioned myself booking. It's called Women's Quest, and is described as 'retreats that combine physical, mindful and spirit-filled activities with amazing adventures that encourage personal awareness, self-confidence and self-expression." I thought....I'm in!! This is my kind of adventure! Hopping on their website and reading further, it said "Retreats are held in some of the most beautiful places on earth, immersing you in gorgeous landscapes, and giving rise to a variety of activities to spark your senses, revitalize your body, and soothe your soul. Comfortable accommodations, inspirational talks, expert instruction, and healthy, delicious meals, combined with massage, yoga, and creative activities round out each retreat." Definitely my kind of vacation.

The 2010 list of locations is pretty impressive, from several sites in Colorado, to California, to Mexico, Hawaii & Tuscany, Italy. I am intrigued with the "La Dolce Vita Tuscany Cycling Adventure" that is in the fall. It is described as seeing Italy in a whole new light. Further descriptions read..."From the shimmering Mediterranean Sea to the rolling hills and ancient villages, we'll absorb the essence of Tuscany and allow our senses to run wild. We cycle quiet back roads through the Tuscan wine country, visit magnificent medieval villages, discover the best gelato and cappuccino stops, hike along the shimmering Mediterranean sea, enjoy daily yoga, savor the freshest local cuisine, learn to prepare authentic dishes from local cooks, taste the finest wines, olive oils, and cheeses together with the families that produce them, and experience true Tuscan hospitality and local color in all aspects of this unique, women's only retreat." (By the way, there is Co-Ed Tuscany tour as well.)

So I'm thinking I should round up a few friends, and dive in to this amazing adventure. However, at $3,500 per person, this is one adventure that will most likely not happen this year. Nevertheless, I do believe that this should be on my list of goals. I'm thinking a goal without a plan is merely a wish, so I definitely need a plan. (An easier objective might be to pick one of the other adventures at less than half the cost, but oh my goodness...doesn't the Italian excursion sound wonderful?)

"The best thing to hold onto in life

is each other."

-Audrey Hepburn

Text via philosophy

Photo by Brooke Fasani

Where the Hell is Matt? . . . .

14 months in the making, 42 countries,

and a cast of thousands....

I cannot get enough of this video.

It just makes me smile.

EnJOY!

Here's To You . . . .

Photo via Michael Buble' official website

From the book "Here's To You"

Would you hold back? . . . .

Photo via Vogue Paris

Text via philosophy

Make the most of today!!

I promise . . . .

Photo by .neha via flickr

Come alive . . . .

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

-Howard Thurman

Photo by Alexa Singer

I Have A Dream . . . .

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

1.18.10

Martin Luther King Jr. day

Have I told you? . . . .

One kind word can warm

three winter months.

J A P A N E S E P R O V E R B

Graphic via Lucy Player Graphic Design

Come with me . . . .

Free spirits . . . .

Child-like behavior is such a joy to watch. Children have the ability to spontaneously use their imaginations to forget what's bothering them and be inspired by every pony, feather or bug that crosses their path. You can't help but be inspired by them! We, as adults, can enjoy that free-spirited nature on a different level if we just allow ourselves to do so. Our problems will wait.

"Great is the man who has not lost his childlike heart."

-Mencius

Always . . . .

Graphic via we heart it

How to live a happy & rewarding life...

• Don't take good health for granted.
• Improve your performance by improving your attitude.
• Leave everything a little better than you found it.
• Keep it simple.
• Keep your promise.
• Keep good company.
• Be kinder than necessary.
• Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
• Don't gossip.
• Don't expect money to bring you happiness.
• Never deprive someone of hope. It might be all they have.
• Don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry."
• Don't interrupt.
• Listen to your children.
• Judge your success by the degree that you are enjoying peace, health & love.
• Be a good loser.
• Be a good winner.
• Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring and integrity, they think of you.
• Be forgiving of yourself and others.
• Say thank you a lot.
• Say please a lot.
• Dance.
• Don't rain on other people's parades.
• Don't postpone joy.
• Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
• Take care of your reputation. It's your most valuable asset.
• Count your blessings.
• Do more than is expected.
• Be someone's hero.

All good things . . . .

Here's To You . . . .

From the book "Here's To You"

Believe the best about others . . . .

"You can work miracles by having faith in others. By choosing to think and believe the best about people, you are able to bring out the best in them."

-Bob Moawad

Photo via Getty Images

Enjoy the gift of life . . . .

Embrace the gift of possibility . . . .

Adventure isn't something that's reserved for the extreme athlete or the daredevil. It is an expression of your heart's intention and passion for life. It's the ability to think big about who you are, how you live, and what you can do in the world, whether you're climbing mountains, practicing Sun Salutations, or listening to a friend. It is the willingness to embrace challenge and move toward success. It is the acknowledgment that total commitment does not mean blind faith or brazen disregard, but confidence and belief in the face of challenge. By definition, adventure has an unknown outcome. If something has a predetermined outcome, it's not an adventure but a packaged experience or an amusement ride. Life is uncertain! Being adventurous means seeing that uncertainty as the gift of possibility....When you approach everything with the spirit of adventure, you infuse your life with vitality and radiance. You find a level of engagement and awareness with everything around you that is deeply satisfying and joyous. Your summits await.

Article by Matt Walker. Matt is an adventure consultant with Inner Passage in Tucson, Arizona. Article via Yoga Journal magazine.

Photo via InnerPassage.net

Pass it on . . . .

"Every morning you have a choice to put good energy into the world, to be the best self you can be, to open your heart and let love flow so you can feel love in return and live your dream life. Good energy. Get it, feel it, savor it, pass it on . . ."

-philosophy

A toast to change . . . .

While checking my email this morning, I was inspired, once again, by the messages that the philosophy company continues to present to us. Their "start fresh for the new year" message is described as:

"Change is reflection wrapped in hope. As changes occur in my life and the world, I celebrate the past with gratitude and purity, reflecting on it as the groundwork for a promising future. I keep my heart and mind open to grace, with my arms extended to embrace change. I welcome new beginnings and endless possibilities. Hope is the life force I use to dance in the moment and anticipate miracles to come."

May you choose to look at change in this inspiring way, and accept it with grace. Wishing you a year full of hope, gratitude, promise and joy.

Happy New Year!!