Chasing Joy

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#FlashbackFriday: Weekend Guest Post from Ms. Positivity

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Happy Friday!!!  It’s the First Friday of 2014.  Let’s make it a good one and get this Flashback going.

#FlashbackFriday is where we share some of our older favorite blog posts to give them some love.   After you add your link below be sure to visit AT LEAST two of the other links.  If you are first to link up be sure to come back a little later and visit some of the other links.   You can also share your post on the Chasing Joy Facebook page and tweet about Linky using the #FlashbackFriday Hashtag.

My favorite link from last week’s flashback is from Fitnessbuster by Gillian Stephen and offers 6 Reasons to Include Strength Training In Your Workout.  
This week I am linking up a Weekend Guest Post from Ms. Positivity.
Now it is your turn. Add your favorite link below.

Weekend Guest Ms. Positivity: Positively Shining While Chasing Joy

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A couple weeks ago I sent out an invitation for you to be my Weekend Guest by guest posting on Chasing Joy. I am happy to welcome Ms. Positivity.  Ms. Positivity is the author behind Positively Shining. Positively Shining is where you go to Scrub Away The Negativity to Positively Shine.  Don’t you want to be all shinny with positivity as you Chase Joy?  I do!  Here is her post: Positively Shining While Chasing Joy.

Hey there Shiners and Joy Chasers….it is an honor to be guest writing for such a wonderful person-Chasing Joy. Her goal in life is to chase joy and my goal is to get others to positively shine. I thought why not put two awesome thoughts together and make a dash for it. I thought how could anyone chase joy and not be positive; I honestly do not think you can. To do one a person has to do the other, so here, we are together as one.
Chasing joy is a major goal for so many from trying to ask a special person out on a date, to making a difference in one’s own life. You have to have a positive mind –set. Therefore, joy chasers let me give you some ideas as to how to Chase Joy while Positively Shining at the same time.

Here we go, hang on tight and follow us….we will guide your way!!

For starters, one must think positive. A positive mind state is half the journey to capturing your joy. Wake up and be blessed for another day. Being thankful is a sure way to being positive, claiming that the day or joy is yours.

Next, select your joy! What is if that you are trying to obtain? I suggest that a joy chaser start as big or small as they would like, as long as they map it out.

Third is to map out how you are going to go about chasing you joy. Some joys are big and need some extra planning to grab them. Do not be afraid of your joy because it seems too big to grab. Being afraid makes it difficult, so when your joy seems too big all you have to shout is “This is my JOY and I am coming to get it”

Claim your joy! Like any other thing in life, a joy chaser should claim their positive day, completion of goals and that is just to name a few. As with other life desires claim your joy to be yours. That is the other half of the battle just to simply believe that your joy is obtainable. Claiming your joy should make you feel positive about chasing it. It is yours to chase as freely as you like. In addition, it is perfectly fine to have more than one joy. The more joy you have the happier you will be.

So chase after each joy and every joy that you have in your sights, and remember to positively shine while do so!

If you’d like to be a weekend guest email me your post at joychasing@yahoo.com and find additional information on guest posting qualifications here.

How do you Positively Shine while you are Chasing Joy?

Keeping Father’s Day Joyful in a Single Mother By Choice Household

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Father's Day In A Single Mother By Choice Household
Here is a throwback of me and my dad in 1980

Happy Father’s Day to all of the Dad’s out there!!!

While mom and baby households are increasingly more common the Single Mother by Choice houshold is still a little mysterious to many. So, I figured I’d share what Father’s Day is like for us.

Before my dad passed away Father’s day was a big deal. There would be gift giving, usually experiences, tickets to sports games or shows. I loved it. After he passed away the day was very painful. For years I’d just pretend it was not happening. I would not even wish anyone happy father’s day.

But now I have Baby Joy Chaser. It is not all about me or my feelings. I want baby joy chaser to experience as much happiness as possible. That even includes doing my best to make sure he does not have negative experiences or feelings towards father’s day. I realize I am not really in control of his experiennces or feelings. But I can do my best to build positivity. So I have somwhat of a strategy. I discuss it in detail in the video below.

Here is my strategy for a joyful father’s day in a single mother by choice household:

How will you be spending Father’s Day?

How to Keep Your Joy When You Lose Your Confidence.

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how to keep your Joy when you lose your confidence.Even the most confident amongst us goes through occasional periods of time where they don’t feel very confident.  I happen to be in the midst of one if those times right now.  I can say for a fact that lacking confidence is a huge Joy Thief.  So this post is about how to keep your Joy when you lose your confidence.

In general I tend to be a pretty confident woman.  This has not happened naturally.  It is the result of my parents constantly speaking positivity and encouragement into me for 30 plus years and my own efforts at positive thinking, optimism and faith (I really do believe I can do all things through Christ.

Nevertheless I have taking a hit to my confidence.  I think its the combination of the general cluelessness of being a new mom, being only 2 weeks back at the day job after 4 months off, and one of my weaknesses having been recently pointed out. That is the confidence killing trifecta that I’m dealing with.  Here are the things I’m doing to get through it.

How to keep your Joy when you lose your confidence:

  • Understand feelings are not always reality. Not feeling confident opens the door for all kinds of self doubt and feelings of inadequacy.  It’s important to remember that feeling like I’m not good enough and / or dont belong are just feelings not facts.
  • Remember that perfection is not a requirement nor a realistic goal.
  • Limit negatives self-talk and rely on affirmations for a mood boost.
  • Focus on your strengths. This pat on the back will be the first steps back toward the road to confidence.
  • Give it your all. A confidence slump will make you feel like giving up. Don’t give in. Give your best in whatever area your tempted to throw in thr towel.  This simple act of noe quiting can keep your confidence from sinking lower.

Not feeling confident sucks. It is the opposite of Joyful.  But, I know this does not have to be a permanent state and focusing on the steps above will help me bounce back to my normal confident self in no time.

Have you ever experienced a confidence slump? How did you come out of it? Which of thr steps above was thr most helpful.


Monday Goal Setting and T-Shirt Giveaway Announcement!!!

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Happy Monday!!!

No coming down with a Case of The Mondays!  Instead, let’s view today as a fresh start and set some goals for a joyful week.  Post your goals on social media using the #MakeitHappenMonday hashtag.

Here are some of my goals for the week.

Health

  • Work out 3 more days this week.
  • Eat veggies with lunch and dinner every day.
  • Start getting ready for bed at 11pm.

Blogging

Did you see my first Blogging Goal?  I am about to cross that off the list right now.  Drumroll please……………

The two winners of a fabulous, one of a kind, Chasing Joy original design, No Negaative Self-Talk T-shirt are…
Mary Ann and Alisha
Congrats Ladies!!!!
The winners have 3 days to claim their prizes.  Failure to claim will result in another winner being drawn at random.
If you did not win a T-Shirt you can still purchse one from the Chasing Joy Shop.

  

It feel’s good to cross that off.  I love crossing things off of my to do list.

What goals do you have for the week?  Do you write out a to do list each week?


Dressing Joyfully: What Are You Wearing

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What are you wearing?  Today I wore a blouse with a green tan and black pattern, black pants, black leather flats with a bejeweled bow at the toe, green tear dropped earrings, a green bracelet, a white pearl and silver ring,  and my Temple University Class ring.  No, this is not an OOTD (Outfit of the Day) post and I have not suddenly become a fashion blogger (though I have written about fashion before).   I’m telling you about my outfit because I am realizing more and more that what you wear matters. 

We all know that books are judged by their covers and you should dress for the job you want and all that.  But what you wear matters for more than those reasons.  The way we choose to adorn our bodies is directly related to how we feel.  Most of us have had the experience of throwing on anything to run errands and praying we don’t run into anyone we know.  Inevitable we do run into someone and then we feel embarrassed and not so great about our appearance.  But the truth is we already felt embarrassed and not great about our appearance because we know we did not make the effort  to clothe ourselves in things that make us feel good and like the best versions of ourselves. 

Here I am with my brother
wearing the blouse on my birthday.  

Over the years I have given more and more thought into making sure what I wear helps me feel my best.  Today‘s outfit does just that.  The blouse and bracelet were originally purchased for my birthday they are cute and also reminds me of a happy occasion.  The black pants are comfortable but also, when paired with the shirt, give me a business casual look that is appropriate for work.  The black flats like the pants are comfy and professional enough for work, but the sparkly bows give a glimpse of my personality.  I love all bling! My favorite color is sparkle, LOL.  The silver and pearl ring is classy and one of my jewelry staples.  I love my Temple University ring  (I’ve written about the positive feelings I associate with it).  The earrings are pretty and always make me feel special.  They were the last birthday gift that I received from both of my parent before my dad passed away.   Now I don’t put this level of thought into my outfit every day but I had two meetings at the day job that I was not looking forward too.  With this added stress to my day it was really important that I feel my best.

The things we put on our body can help us or hurt us when it comes to feeling our best.   I want everything I wear to make me feel like the best version of myself.   I want the same thing for you which is one of the reasons that I am starting a line of inspirational T-shirts.  I want to offer you something to wear that speaks positivity and joy into your life.  Something that makes you feel beautiful, empowered, and like your very best self.  The No Negative Self-Talk T-Shirt does all of those things. 

So, again I ask, what are you wearing?  Does it make you feel like the best version of yourself. Is your outfit giving you Joy?

P.S this post is being linked up for NaBloPoMo.


Walk or Run Your Way to Feeling Valued and More Joyful

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A couple of days ago I walked in the #FreeToBreathe 5k for Lung Cancer.  I mentioned the walk a few weeks back.  Several of you supported me in the walk by helping spread the word, donating, or coming out and walking with me. Thank you so much!  I really appreciate it.   Honestly, I was a little disappointed that most of the people I know personally, who said they would donate or join me, did not.   🙁    Oh well, such is life.  The important thing was I was there along with my cousin to walking in support of my mom who has been fighting the disease for a while.

This was my first time doing the #FreeToBreathe walk but I have done several other charity walks (and one run) before.  No matter the charitable cause, these walks always have a great atmosphere.  The people have a positive attitude and are super happy considering they are about to walk or run miles and miles.  The reason for the positivity is we feel like we are making a difference.  I cannot cure my mom’s cancer.  But my $40 along with the the money of the other 3,000 people in attendance can help fund research that can one day provide a cure and better treatments until then.  Participating in charity walks makes you feel valued and like your presence in the world means something.

I encourage everyone to sign up for a walk in your area.  The #FreeToBreathe is a great one but you will have a more joyful experience if you participate in one that is for a cause near and dear to your heart.

If you missed my social media posts yesterday, here are a few pictures from the walk.

A photo posted by Arlett (@chasingjoy) on Nov 1, 2015 at 5:35am PST
A photo posted by Arlett (@chasingjoy) on Nov 1, 2015 at 6:15am PST
A photo posted by Arlett (@chasingjoy) on Nov 1, 2015 at 6:40am PST

A photo posted by Arlett (@chasingjoy) on Nov 1, 2015 at 7:19am PST

Do you participate in certain charity races? What is your favorite one?  Were you at the #FreeToBreathe Walk?

PS. Writing this post for NaBloPoMo.


Chasing Joy Inspirational No Negative Self-Talk T-Shirt Giveaway

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Get the No Negative Self-Talk t-shirt and remind yourself and others to silence the negative chatter.

They say a picture can speak a thousand words.  This picture right here says it all.  It is me proudly sporting the 1st in a line of positivity t-shirts from yours truly.  If you have been reading this blog or following me on social media for a while you have heard me say “No Negative Self-Talk” about a million times.  I even say it out loud to family and friends when I hear them picking themselves apart. That is why it was the first thing to come to mind when I sat down to come up with my first design.

Get the No Negative Self-Talk t-shirt and remind yourself and others to silence the negative chatter.What we choose to put on or not put on our bodies speaks volumes about who we are.  No matter how many times we hear we shouldn’t we have all judged a book by it’s cover.  I want my cover to match my values and spirit so what I wear is important to me.    So I am super excited to not only be able to put on my No Negative Self-Talk t-shirt but to make it available for you. 
The No Negative Self-Talk t-shirt is available for sale now in the Chasing Joy Shop. The shirt is softly shaped for a classic feminine fit in sizes small through 3X .  The plus size t-shirtcomes in sizes 1X (16/18) to 5X (32/34).  The V-neck t-shirt is machine washable.  
Negative self-talk is so damaging and so widespread.  I struggle with it and so do most of my girlfriends.   Let’s rock our No Negative Self-Talk t-shirts and remind ourselves and others to silence this negative chatter.

How often do you catch yourself using negative self-talk?
I will be giving a No Negative Self-Talk to two lucky Joy Chasers.  Follow the steps in the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 9 Types of Negative Thoughts That Steal Your Joy


About Me


Chasing JoyWelcome to Chasing Joy!!!

Chasing Joy’s Mission

Chasing Joy provides encouragement, support and community through Chasing Joy Events, the Joy Makeover program to help women build resilience, make happiness a priority, and create the Joyful lives they deserve while honestly acknowledging and working through life’s struggles.

About Arlett

My name is not Joy but I am chasing it non-stop. Chasing Joy is a blog about me, a woman in her 30s who has overcome the most difficult time in her life by focusing on and going after Joy. This difficult time in my life included a horrible job, a bad breakup and most devastating of all losing my dad to cancer two months after diagnosis. These events, that sadly are common to many, left me in a dark place. A place that was filled with sadness and shadows of what could have been. A place that was unfamiliar and void of happiness. A place I was determined to escape from.

In about a year and a half my life changed and the vision I had of my future was erased. I lost myself to the sadness. I could not find my way back to being that light-hearted and optimistic girl that I used to be, not to mention I also gained 40lbs (gasp!!!) in a year due to all the stress.

This quest for Joy is my way back to being happy and staying happy again after so much heartache; to not only finds my old self but to improve upon it. Here on Chasing Joy I share with you my goals, my successes, and even the road blocks in achieving those successes. I share with you my experiences as I try new activities to broaden my view of what can bring happiness. I share with you my search for Joy through my good days and my not so good. On this blog I ask for advice and seek support as I face and conquer fears. On this blog I invite you to start Chasing Joy with me.

Thank you for visiting my Blog.

Find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JoyChasing#!/ and follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/Chasing_Joy and Instagram @ChasingJoy.

Most Popular Posts


Beware The Joy Thief
Feel Good Friday, God Is Good To Me
Joy of Forgiveness


Personal Favorites
Beware The Joy Thief
Ready For My Tutu
Recipe For A Happy Joyful Life


Links to guest posts and other writings by me.

Guest Posts

Check out my guest post on Positively Shining  – “Shining the Spotlight” Focus on Positivity and Chase Joy…..
Check out my post for blog magazine Studio 30 Plus – Choices Choices Choices…
Check out my guest post on Inspire to Thrive – They Like Me

 


My Brain Must Have Frozen

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Did you know it was really cold in most of the country yesterday?  Of course you did.  Why am I asking you obvious questions?  Because sometimes the answers, even the obvious ones, escape us.

 For example if you would have asked me yesterday evening what I had to do that night I would have told you I had nothing to do.  Even though I knew it was Tuesday night, even though I sent a reminder text to friends saying they needed to register for the #CJBL Brunch before noon on Wednesday, even though Wednesday has followed Tuesday since the days of the week were named, and even though I have been publishing blog posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the last couple of years and I had nothing written for you guys for today,  I thought I had nothing to do last night.  That’s right, I completely forgot to write a blog post for you for today.

I am going to blame this mental lapse on the weather.  I mean with it being only 2 degrees this morning and 14 degrees this evening, it only makes sense to assume that part of my brain had frozen.  Specifically the part of my brain responsible for remembering blog posts.

Because of my brain freeze I have nothing profound to share with you about my quest for Joy.  No words of wisdom or life lessons to share.  Instead I will leave you with a few basics.

  • Smile!  It makes you feel happy and it encourages others to smile at you.  Just don’t go into one of those creepy smiles that scares people.
  • Do something nice for yourself.  It does not have to be big.  Use your favorite perfume today or take an extra long hot shower.  Especially if your brain is in need of thawing like my own.
  • No negative self talk!  Be kind to yourself.  Speak positivity and optimism to yourself just as you would a good friend.
  • Don’t let other people’s bad moods become your bad mood.  
  • Avoid Joy Thieves!!!
  • Laugh often!!!  It makes you feel good, and bonus, it burns calories.
Have you ever had a brain freeze where you forget part of your normal routine?  Tell me I’m not the only one.
Have a great Wednesday!!!


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