The one thing I didn’t mention in that post, though, was about all the “stuff” we accumulated in the gigantic basement of that dream house. When you have the space, it’s easy to fill it. So that’s what we did.

The stuff I had been storing in my grandma’s basement for years naturally ended up in our new house. And Bill’s parents were delighted to give him back all of his childhood things in various boxes since we had the new space. No problem, though. We shoved it all downstairs where we never saw it and didn’t even give it a second thought.

But, when we sold our big house and downsized into a townhome, we had no storage. What to do? We knew we weren’t emotionally ready to deal with all the boxes, and we reluctantly paid for a large storage locker at a nearby facility. Once we moved in to our new townhome, the plan was to slowly go through the locker and sell, toss, or donate most of everything. And of course keep a few things we couldn’t part with.

Can you say “overwhelming”?

Here’s an excerpt from a popular article I wrote several years ago – about my own personal journey – which was published in various magazines titled “I Am Free.” See if you find any similarities in your own story.

* * * * *

“I Am Free” by Michelle Stimpson, 2005

I did it. It’s done. I can finally move forward. I am free.

Over the last year, I have slowly tackled my past. I had intense counseling, important conversations with loved ones, powerful coaching, and I did some deep reflecting and journaling. But what put the icing on the cake was dealing with the last of the physical clutter and “stuff” that had been like a dark cloud looming over my head for years.

I saved everything from high school and college; I didn’t really have a home-base during many of those years, so everything went into a box. The boxes were filled with letters, cards, papers, notebooks, and all kinds of correspondence from a variety of sources and people. These papers and ‘things’ had been unknowingly holding me back from moving forward in my life.

So my boxes of stuff moved with me from place to place. Some of them were even musty and moldy from being stored in various basements. Too much energy was spent hauling them around and worrying about them. There wasn’t really even much “life” to these boxes…it was just stale energy. But, after dealing with several major life transitions, I was finally ready to confront the boxes head-on.

Because there were thousands upon thousands of things to look at and go through, I was totally overwhelmed. Then I listened to my gut and began to realize that I didn’t need or want to go through everything. After all, if these boxes had been lost or destroyed, I wouldn’t have even known the difference! Can you believe that when the storage manager showed us their great sprinkler system in case of fire, she told us that most people say they wouldn’t mind if the place burned down and their stuff was destroyed?

That spoke volumes to me.

So I glazed through the contents at a pace that felt comfortable. There were select things that I gave special attention to and set aside; some things made me laugh, some things left me disgusted, and other things brought me tremendous joy. Some things I didn’t remember and had no idea where they came from. Much of it all went right in the trash pile.

Before dumping a lot of this stuff, though, I felt a need to put together a general “summary” of my past. It was important to me to make note of certain things and either reflect on them some more, take a picture to hold onto, or share them with Bill or other loved family member or friend. I did some intense journaling of what I learned while sifting through my past, which felt good.

After the exhausting task of finishing up the boxes and getting things ready for our symbolic drive to the local dump, I was compelled to share my story with some of the key people in my life. So, I called my mom. I shared a journal entry with my grandma that I wrote about her in college. I wrote out a card to my Aunt and Godmother, Jane. I sent notes to my friends. I set aside a stack of campus memories for my dearly loved college roommate, Jill, and me to laugh through together. 

And, I pulled out a few things that I really wanted to share with Bill who knows me so intimately. I wanted him to know me even more, and I’m glad I made it a priority. We sat by the fire and talked about all of my findings and learnings, and he so eagerly and patiently listened to my stories. He was so interested and was so fully present. I felt important, I felt valued, I felt like I counted. I set aside a pile of things to show him which included a childhood locket with my hamster’s picture, a eulogy I wrote when a dear friend died, a family tree project, a speech I wrote in high school, and a touching letter from my grandpa.

It felt great to formally come to terms with my past. This was way bigger than just throwing away a bunch of boxes. It was so much more than that. It was about me recognizing my past, embracing it, loving it, and being done with it.

I can’t believe how much lighter I feel. 

Working on my boxes came at a point when I was ready, and I couldn’t have done it one moment earlier. And getting rid of the clutter in my life that has held me back for so long is certainly an ongoing process.

But in letting go of all of it, I am now able to fully focus on the things that matter most to me. I am truly at peace and living the life that is right for me. I now have the “space” in my life to be me and to move forward – both literally and figuratively. 

When you’re ready, you’re ready. And the universe opens up to you in a whole new way with a set of special messages just for you. Yesterday morning, a dear friend sent along a quote by Sandra Sharpe that she probably had no idea I was waiting for.  It reads: “What do you pack to pursue a dream and what do you leave behind?”

* * * * *

What do you think?

I decided to publish this article on the blog because so many of my clients talk about how clutter has impacted their lives. There seems to be a strong relationship between our “stuff” and our “selves”. Often times, it’s difficult to move forward in life until you’ve dealt with your stuff – both physically and emotionally. And of course, that’s where I come in as a Coach. :)

If you could use some objective professional support in clearing out and paving the way, I hope you’ll check out LifeShine!

Lightening your load frees you up to be able to fully embrace the things in life that bring you joy. I can’t think of a better time to start than now. Why wait?

“There’s no way we can move. We said we’d live here forever.” Those were the first words Bill and I uttered when we pondered the idea of letting go of our dream home eight years ago. At the time, we had only been in our beautiful home for two-and-a-half years. And it was truly our dream home. We custom-built the entire thing to completely reflect us and our lifestyle – both individually and as a couple. It was the perfect Minneapolis suburb retreat, tucked in a wooded setting with mature trees, wildlife, and ultimate privacy.

This rare find was thanks to a sweet elderly couple whose home was on a large piece of land, and they decided to subdivide their lot into two. We were the privileged ones who found the other half and bought it.

And it was there that we built our dream home.

A perfect spot for us

Our side of the street was a quiet curve of four homes built in 1948, and all the original owners still lived there – the Swansons, the Emersons, the Bensons, and the Olsons. We – the Stimpsons – fit right in! They all loved the idea of having a new young couple move into the neighborhood, and they took such great care of us.

While our house was being built, there was a constant stream of neighborhood ladies bringing cookies and lemonade over to the construction workers. And the two neighborhood men who were still living – proud World War II veterans – oversaw the digging, excavating, and building. For six months, these folks had an exciting event going on in their neighborhood every day!

The house we built was perfect for us. Here’s an excerpt from an annual New Year letter we sent to friends and family the year we moved in:

“Highlights in our new retreat include some of life’s simple pleasures: Watching deer and other wildlife roam through our backyard (including the albino squirrel we named ‘Alabaster’), weekend candlelight dinners with wine and smooth jazz, whirlpool baths for Michelle with nighttime starlight, and naps in the sunroom for Bill. We love our cozy abode more than we could have ever imagined and feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful place to call home.”

Talk about following your joy. We were doing it. And really, we thought we’d retire there.

Mischievous "Alabaster"

Rabbit lounging on a Saturday morning

One of the many deer who came for a visit

King of the neighborhood: "Big Red"

Our favorite black-socked fox

But something wasn’t quite right

Saturdays and Sundays included caring for the home and the large yard and extended driveway. Bill would be outside for hours whether it included mowing, snowblowing, raking leaves, or other house maintenance ‘stuff.’ And while he enjoyed it, it also took us away from being the independent couple we loved to be…and being able to head out on a whim for the day to enjoy our city.

And the amount we were paying for our mortgage and upkeep was taking us away from our ultimate dream of regular vacations and adventures and going back to school and starting our own business. We both felt locked into corporate jobs we held, and yet that wasn’t what either of us saw for our future.

I’ll never forget what I learned – and then taught – in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People workshop: When you say “no” to one thing, you’re actually saying “yes” to something else, and vice versa. So, by saying “yes” to the house and that lifestyle, we were essentially saying “no” to what was even more important – starting our business, traveling and adventuring, living as an independent couple without being tied down.

Shifting perspectives

So while at first we thought there was “no way” we could ever move…we began to realize that our dream might start to look different. And that was okay. Yes, the dream of that home and the setting was perfect for us. And at the same time, though, we were ready to move on and create a new dream.

We put so much love and care into that home. And Bill finished the lower level complete with a home gym, kick-ass bar, home theater, and corner fireplace.

And then we sold it.

The most wonderful couple bought the home, and we knew they would love it just as much as we did.

Moving toward a new dream

We ended up downsizing, got rid of a ton of stuff, sold our boat and all kinds of “things,” and moved into a beautiful new townhouse in the next suburb over. We went back to school. I left my corporate job and launched my coaching business. Bill started to look into other pursuits. We taught our first workshop together. We started writing a book. The new dream began to take shape.

So many people cheered us on and also said what courage it took for us to create a new dream for ourselves. I suppose it was courageous, but it never felt like “courage” to us. It was simply about being clear on what we needed – and wanted – to say “yes” to.

Now, we get to say “Yes!” to the lifestyle that truly calls to us. We do several vacations, road trips, and adventures throughout year and come and go as we feel moved. And…I’m coming up on celebrating eight exciting years in business, helping other women live their dream!

I just came across the following year’s annual letter, and here’s the update we gave:

“After much reflection and discussion, we decided to sell our house and buy a townhome. Although our Minnetonka home was absolutely perfect for us, it no longer seemed to fit in with our plans. Saving time and money by moving to a maintenance-free townhome now allows us to focus on our priorities and enjoy more of the things we love to do. It was quite an emotional move to leave our home, but when the time came, we forged ahead and never looked back. Our new place is perfect for us now in this new phase of life.”

So. That’s how the current dream looks…for now. And at the same time, I also sense a restlessness inside both of us to change things up again and take the dream to the next level. Like everyone else, we’re constantly growing and evolving and changing. A plan that once was a perfect fit needs to be updated, too.

Following your joy includes checking in with yourself and making sure you’re on the right track. If you are, great! If not, it’s important to make the course corrections necessary.

Who knows where our new path will lead? All I know is that we’re excited about our future and see a horizon of possibilities.

Life is good.

Where is it in your own life that you’re ready for a change?

What’s the first step that needs to happen?

As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. put it so well: “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

I knew it was time to change into my shorts and tank top and get my butt downstairs. I could smell the amazing Caribbean-style dinner cooking, and I heard Bob Marley and his reggae vibe blasting through our speakers.

Our vacation kick-off party was getting underway! This “party” is a ritual of ours before going on vacation. Bill and I have a Caribbean cruise planned this winter, and several weeks out we like to get the excitement started. This usually includes looking at pictures from past cruises and vacations, going through travel documents, playing our favorite warm-weather music, and most importantly – setting our intention for the upcoming trip and discussing what we each want from it.

The evening of fanfare sets the stage for the two of us to get completely jazzed and fired-up for the upcoming trip!

We’ve been doing this now since our honeymoon cruise in 1994, due to important lessons we learned back then. While our newlywed time together was wonderful, something about the trip wasn’t quite right. We felt pulled in several different directions. We hadn’t really talked much about the trip ahead of time (who’s got time to talk when they’re planning a wedding?), so when we suddenly found ourselves on the cruise, we weren’t sure where to focus our attention and how to spend our week.

Did we want relaxation? Adventure? What about all those tours? Unfortunately, the confusion led to some disappointment during a time we hoped would be perfect. We ended up returning home feeling exhausted and not completely satisfied with how the trip had unfolded.

Deciding to make a change

But because of our love of vacations and commitment to a lifetime of travels, we declared from that point forward things would be different. We agreed to put serious, thoughtful effort into each future vacation to help create the ultimate experience. After all, vacations are one of the things that bring us great joy – why not make them the best they can be?

Over the years, we’ve developed a pretty cool step-by-step process to help us maximize our vacations. And we’ve shared this with audiences by leading workshops and speaking to groups. We’ve facilitated discussions in the living rooms of families and couples traveling together. And it’s been fun to be featured on local radio and TV.

The feedback has been incredible. In fact, one repeat participant in our workshop said: “I will never vacation again without going through your process. Non-negotiable. Seriously.” Wow!

And…we’ve written a book! Well, the book is kinda sorta done, but we need to take the next step with it. Stay tuned!

So many people we’ve encountered return from vacation and end up saying: “I need a vacation!” That’s an easy cycle to get caught up in. Many rush into a trip without a real plan, and the results are unsatisfying or don’t live up to expectations.

I’m grateful to say that Bill and I have found a real richness to all our vacations, simply because of the intentional effort we put in up-front.

Tips for your next vacation

The next time you’re going on vacation, take some time to be purposeful about it. If you’re traveling with others, get together with your travel partners (in-person or virtually) and ask the question: “What are you most excited about and most looking forward to?” Brainstorm together and compile a list of all the things that were said. It’s a great way to get everyone energized together!

Then visualize yourself driving/flying home at the end of your vacation. Picture a genuine smile on your face because the time away was so amazing. Ask yourself, “What will need to happen during the trip to put that smile there?” Maybe it’s sleeping in every morning, or going on a guided tour, or quality family time. Or maybe it’s even doing nothing at all with no schedule involved.

A little pre-planning ahead of time is a great way to set the tone for a successful trip. Of course there’s so much more to our process, but I’ll save that for later. For now, start small. Start putting a bit of intention into your vacations. You’ll be surprised – you may even exceed your expectations for a great trip!

Our 2010 winter cruise kick-off party was a success. We can barely wait for our Caribbean adventure! And I bet Bob Marley will be smiling down on us. All I have to say is that the ship we are cruising on this winter better look out – when the Stimpsons step on-board, it’s going to get crazy.

Author’s Post Note: Wanna see how our cruise turned out? Read all about it here!

What has been a turning point in your life; a moment or decision that led you toward greater joy? You know, one of those times where you know things will never be the same?

For me, soaking in the summer sun each year reminds me of one of those important times in my life. Back in my days in the corporate world, I had a great job. I enjoyed my role as Training & Development Leader and had the gift of spending my days with cool people, many of whom are still close friends.

Goofing around at work

One of those friends, Michelle, sat in the cube next to me and we’d constantly goof around in between working on projects. We’d laugh at anything and everything, throw notes over the cube wall at each other, and my absolute favorite was Michelle’s horn. I mean, literally—she had an actual “horn” sitting on the top of the cube divider wall. It was a heavy-duty metal one with a big black rubber ball on the end and screws attached to it, intended to clamp on to a kid’s bike. It was loud!

When something exciting would happen (someone announced they were having a baby, for example), Michelle honked the horn. When a long and tedious project was completed, Michelle honked the horn. Or even when it was Friday afternoon (which was reason enough to celebrate), Michelle honked the horn. That simple act always added a touch of fun and color to a stuffy business setting draped in monotone beige.

My favorite honk came in the fall of 2003.

Rewind to a day a few months prior to the honk. It was the middle of summer and I was stuck in my cube. You’ll never hear me use the word “hate” because it feels so harsh. But there are exceptions to every rule. I hate fluorescent lighting, I hate rooms with no windows, and I hate cold air conditioning blowing on me. In my cube, I was surrounded by these things all day, every day. It was July and I had no idea if it was a gorgeous summer day outside with bright sunshine illuminating the world…or if there was a severe thunderstorm ensuing, pounding hail on my car.

And I hated not knowing; not being a part of the nature and the world that fueled me.

5:00 finally came. I packed up my stuff and headed for the door that led me to the parking lot. What happened next is one of those turning points that altered the course of my life.

My moment

I flung open the big steel door, and it felt as though I was stepping out of a meat locker and into a relaxing sauna. The chilly goosebumps on my arms were met with intense heat from the summer sun that completely enveloped my body, my soul, my core. My body relaxed. I tossed on my shades and heard the security door slam shut behind me. I stretched out my arms, looked up toward the sky, took a deep breath in, and as I exhaled let out an “Ahhhh…” The same kind of sound you make when you’re sinking into a hot bath or when someone comes up behind you and starts massaging your tense shoulders.

I stepped out of the cold building with artificial lighting…and into myself.

I’ll never forget that moment. I know exactly what I was wearing. And the exact feeling I had as I walked away from the building, knowing that I would never, ever (ever!) spend another summer in an environment that depressed me.

Again, that job rocked. The people were awesome. The company was incredibly good to me. But this was about something far bigger than “the job.” It was about subjecting myself to an environment that was so far from who I was, that I simply couldn’t do it any longer.

That summer day, which served as one of my biggest turning points, was seven years ago. And I’ve never looked back.

My favorite “honk” was when I announced to Michelle, a few months later, that I would be leaving my job to start my own business. She graciously relinquished her duties as the official honker, stepped back, and said, “You come over here and do it this time.” And as I walked over to the homebase for the horn, Michelle added: “And do it LOUD; it will feel good!”

My turn to step up

So, I did do it loud and she was right—it did feel good. That goofy honk reverberated thunderously throughout the second floor of the building, which I’m sure interrupted my fellow co-workers from whatever they were doing. But in that honk, I heard a voice inside me shouting: “It’s time for me to live!”

The past seven years have been sheer joy working as a Coach and helping my clients experience greater joy in their lives. What an honor and a blessing that I get to do this work! And you can probably imagine that my home office has a big window that’s always open when the weather’s nice. Every once in a while I check in with the list I created just after I left my job with the heading at the top: “Why I Started My Own Gig.” It’s filled with reminders of why I risked and made the big move. It’s a reminder of the importance of following your joy.

What has been a turning point in your life…that led you toward greater joy? We all have many of them (whether you recognize it as a turning point or not). It doesn’t have to be a major job change. Maybe it’s something as simple as reading a particular book, signing up for French lessons, or deciding to eliminate sugar from your diet. Following your joy shows up in all kinds of ways.

And if you can’t think of a particular turning point from the past, tell us: What would it take for you to honk your horn? 

Whatever it is, we’d all love to hear!

P.S. If you liked this post, please give it the ‘thumbs-up’ and click the fancy new “Like” button below–thanks!

I had the pleasure of writing a guest post for Karl and hope you’ll take a moment to check it out: Happiness At Work With the Help Of a Coach. You’ll see how my client, Lisa, began to realize that her unhappiness at work was impacting her #1 priority: The happiness of her family. See how she got clear on priorities, re-shifted her focus, and began to feel happier in her work…and at home. Yay, Lisa!

Wanna be happier in your job?

Need clarity on a career direction?

Ready to make a change?

I launched my LifeShine^® business almost seven years ago. And what a great ride it has been! As a Professional Coach, I work with women who have the courage to roll up their sleeves and do the work it takes to live a more purposeful and joyful life. I’m honored to introduce you to them!

The cool part of working with my clients these last few years is that I’ve discovered the foundation for living a life of purpose, fulfillment, balance, and well-being. It centers around following the things in life that make you come alive; the things that bring you joy. If you’ve been reading the blog posts here, you understand the utmost importance of following your joy.

My lovely clients

In my coaching, I work with these women to look objectively at what’s working in their life and what’s not. I help them identify where they’re getting stuck and begin the process of releasing old habits and patterns that no longer serve them. We lay out a customized action plan to help move them forward in a way that is aligned with what’s important to them.

LifeShine coaching helps my clients build the skills to go from where they are right now…to where they want to be; getting out of the busyness of life, back to joyful and purposeful living. Back to themselves.

It’s invigorating and energizing to be a client! And it’s some of the most important work you can do; the best investment you can make in yourself. I ought to know–I work with a Coach every week to help me stay focused and on-track with what’s important. Every great Coach has their own Coach!

Way back, my dream was to help others live their dream. That vision was so big that it began calling me! So much, that Bill and I bailed on our custom-built dream home, sold our boat, downsized, and completely revamped our lifestyle so that I could get going with my life-changing work (you can read more about that journey I navigated here). Reminds me of the guest post from Client Jen Antila who made the leap from Corporate Manager to Entrepreneur, in service of holding on to her dream!

Do you fit the profile of a LifeShine client?

If so, you’re a professional woman who is:

–Eager to invest in yourself
–Craving a more balanced and joyful life
–Ready to live ‘on purpose’
–Committed to taking the steps necessary to live your dream

If this is you and you’re ready to take the first step, then it’s time to get started! Or, if you know someone who would be a great match and is ready for a change, I’d be honored if you’d pass the LifeShine website along to them: www.lifeshinecoaching.com. And of course please invite them to sign up for the Following Your Joy blog.

Thanks so much!

Life is short. And it’s meant to be lived. The quote I carry with me is by Norman Vincent Peale: “Throw your heart over the fence and the rest will follow.”

LifeShine helps you do just that.

The Following Your Joy blog is officially a year old! Woohoo! So much gratitude goes out to my visitors and readers who have consistently cheered me on and waved the flag for me to keep on going. That support has literally fueled me throughout the year!

The birth of this blog began last spring when I tagged along with Bill on a business trip to Southern California. I had one end in mind while he was at the office during the day: Hang out by myself in the trendy, comfy hotel room and make sense out of all the papers I brought with me in a folder titled “Life.”

Inside the folder were random quotes that inspired me, business ideas that jazzed me, and personal goals that challenged me.

Most importantly, though, there were pages of journal entries that needed to be shared somehow. How did I know they needed to be shared? Because every time I recounted one of my amazing stories to friends, they would routinely say: “Are you freakin’ kidding me?” or “I can’t believe that happened to you!” So I knew I was on to something.

They were joyful stories that included winning tickets to the Caribbean, getting front row seats to concerts over and over and over, attracting and manifesting exactly what I envisioned (see Exhibits A, B, & C), amazing synchronicities, and even having my hero, Neil Diamond, pull me out of the front row and sing to me (!). It seemed that the more I recounted these stories with others, the more I—and they—believed that anything is possible.

So I knew I needed a format to get the word out…about the importance of embracing joy, understanding synchronicity, setting intention, and honoring the Law of Attraction.

Yearning to share my heart and inspire others

At the same time, I knew that I also needed a place to share what was on my heart personally, and hopefully inspire a few people along the way.

In my coaching business, I help my clients grow into being “more of who they are.” So whether they initially hire me to help them map out a career direction, navigate through transition, get a handle on work-life balance, or build self-confidence…our coaching always leads to them becoming “more” of their wonderful selves. It’s so powerful to witness! Getting my ideas and experiences in writing—and sharing them with others—seemed to be the perfect outlet for me to be more of my self.

My first morning in Southern Cal, Bill left for the office, and I had the gift of a full day all to myself. No computer, no distractions, no obligations. Just me in my ‘Life is Good’ uniform sitting on a luxurious bed that was so tall from the fluffy comforter, that I almost needed a stepstool to climb up on top of it.

After my morning exercises, I opened the window to invite the cool morning breeze and early rays of sunshine to seep in through the sheer curtains.

I had a feeling this was going to be a great day, and I wanted to capture its beautiful start. So from my cell phone I took a picture of my position in the room and sent it to Bill (not necessarily the nicest thing to do since he was stuck in a windowless conference room for the duration); that photo is up at the top.

How the blog got its wings

Sitting next to me on the bed, I had my “Life” folder and notebook. I started to arrange my stack of papers, organize the ideas in my head, and scribble my thoughts. The focus of those thoughts began to migrate toward the concept of joy. I thought about how the more I allowed myself to embrace the things in life that made me come alive (or, the things that brought me joy), the magic would unfold all around me—ten-fold. I yearned for others to know about the power in this simple concept.

Then I reflected on various milestones in my life, and I kept thinking back to a concert I had been to several years prior. It was a Fleetwood Mac concert and we had front row seats. The feeling of being up in the front row for me was absolutely magical. I felt as though I was a part of the show, not merely a ‘spectator’ watching from the sidelines. The overwhelming feeling I experienced was so powerful that I realized this was actually a metaphor for my life; something about it impacted me so deeply.

I felt alive. I was fully living life. I was embracing my joy!

So I wrote about it. That felt good.

My writing naturally morphed into the idea of starting a blog—something I didn’t know anything about, but I knew I could figure it all out once I got home and had a computer in front of me!

My first post

My very first blog post ended up being the write-up of that experience in the front row at the Fleetwood Mac show. Check it out!

In my “Life” folder, I came across a quote scribbled on a sticky note by Anais Nin: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

Yep, that’s exactly what was happening. I was taking the risk to blossom; to share my self, to share my joy. And if you saw the last post, you’ll know what a big deal this was for me!

Two things happened after I crafted this first blog post. The first one was later that day just after I sketched out the story in my notebook while sitting on the bed in my hotel room. I got up to stretch and look out the window.

And surprisingly, this was the view I had from directly across the street:

No lie! How’s that for an affirmation?! Fleetwood Mac band members giving me the “How you doin’?” nod and cheering me on! Apparently, they had an upcoming show at the arena across the street. Who knew?!

Then at home a few days later—after I built the foundation for my “Following Your Joy” blog—I published it, shared the first post with a few friends, and then cracked open (no, not a bottle of champagne) a small box of raisins for a snack. Sun-Maid raisins now come with a quote on the inside flap. Mine that day was: “Your name is your parents’ gift to you; live up to it.”

I was dumfounded. I hadn’t even thought of it, but my middle name happens to be Joy! Just another affirmation that I was on the right track.

A couple weekends ago we had some friends over for dinner. They didn’t know it was the one-year anniversary of my blog, and I didn’t even think to tell them because we were having so much fun getting caught up in each others’ lives and telling stories and laughing. In addition to the wine they brought, they also handed me a little gift bag with a beautiful framed photo and quote: “Joy is the flower that blooms when you do.”

How perfect.

Grateful for affirmations and thrilled to celebrate!

I’m always looking for a reason to celebrate. I hope you’ll join me! You read about my front-row experience and why it was important to me and what it represented for me. Now it’s your turn!

Leave a comment here telling about a moment of joy in your life and how it represented something big for you. One name/comment will be chosen at random and the winner will receive $50 to share with their favorite charity. Deadline is Monday, April 19^th, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. U.S. Central Time. You in?

Share the joy and pay it forward! I can’t wait to see what you have to say.

Post Note: Our winner is Liv Lane. Congratulations, Liv! Check out her cool story at Choosing Beauty–you’ll love it!

Introducing guest blogger—and lovely client—Jen Antila. She is full of life and a poster child for following your joy! Joy isn’t something she even seems to “choose,” though; she simply embodies it and lives it. During our coaching relationship, Jen courageously made the leap from her corporate job (which didn’t bring her joy) into the world as an entrepreneur (where she knew joy would abound!). Watch Jen’s bold adventure unfold as she captures it all in her blog.

 
“To inhale Paris preserves the soul”—Victor Hugo

I went to Paris with five dreams in mind…
To reconnect, to fall in love, to unwind
To figure out my future career dreams
To begin new plans and create new schemes.

After two days, I had a choice to make
Pick three of the five – or fun forsake.
I chose to defer making future career plans
I chose my husband and fun – as Paris demands!

I engaged with Michelle upon my return
I was the student, ready to learn.
Michelle was a teacher, but better yet a guide
I probed my heart and mind, and began to abide.

I explored my own questions, was honest and true
I painted my own picture of things old and new
I listened to my gut and my heart and my head
I chose with purpose, didn’t sleepwalk instead.

I said goodbye to old patterns and ways.
I bid adieu to games and power plays.
My husband and I talked over my fears
We’ll jump together (after a few beers!).

Today I feel joy, freedom, and relief
There is a foundation, a strong belief
That work can be all that I want it to be
Fun, stewardship, and financial security.

I feel grateful for the opportunities today
Michelle helped me find my own way.
Guidance, challenge, support she did give
It was the light on my path that will lead me to LIVE!

Jen Antila is an entrepreneur—teaching people how to eat and live well, chronicling the journey at her Jen The Catalyst blog.

Hello! As you can see from the photo above, I’ve been working hard and preoccupied with thoughts of how to make my blog better.

I could use your assistance! What got me thinking about this is a great quote by W. Somerset Maugham which is posted on my business website: “It’s a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.”

See, I’m not interested in just “having a blog” or “being a blogger.” I’m only in this to make it rock. One of my friends recently said, “Of course you are going for the best—that’s how you roll!” My intention for this blog is that it creates huge ripples in the world! And if you’re not sure about that…well, just stay tuned.

A blog is driven by its readers, and that’s where you come in.

The background scoop

This blog started last spring because of a big need I saw around me. You may know that I’m a Professional Coach, and what I found in my work with clients is that minimizing stress, prioritizing what’s most important, and feeling a sense of balance and fulfillment all seem to boil down to one simple idea: The power and importance of following the things in life that make you come alive and bring you joy.

I began to notice the same thing in my own life, too. The more I paid attention to the things in life that jazzed me and that brought me joy…the more the magic unfolded for me. Ten-fold. In fact, the more I embraced this idea, the more I was richly rewarded and blessed with magical life experiences.

Friends and colleagues started to ask: “How can I have what you have?” and “How can I experience all those great things you do?”

All around me, I sensed in others a deep desire and a yearning to live the good life. So in response, I started focusing my work on helping clients tap into the joy in their lives.

And this blog came to life!

The amazing feedback that started to pour in right away not only filled my heart, but it was validation that a call for focusing on joy is all around us.

Why your help is important

It’s essential to consistently step back from whatever it is you are doing and ‘check-in’ to make sure you’re on-track; to identify what’s working and what’s not…and then make adjustments accordingly.

Over the last several months, I’ve researched, read, and studied what it means to have a successful blog. One thing I know for sure is that a blog thrives on its readers and subscribers (a.k.a., you!). In order to make this blog even better, though, I’ve got to understand a few things about what you might like to see.

*By the way, if you’re new here, first of all—welcome! And thank you for visiting! You can check out a collection of the top posts here to dive in and get your feet wet. :)

How you can help

Please leave a comment below with your thoughts on any or all of the following questions—I’d be honored. Thank you in advance for your valued feedback!

Regarding this blog…

• What do you like best about it?
• How does this it stand out from others?
• How could it be even better?
• What future topics would you like to see addressed?
• What can I do to make this blog extra fun?
• What else?

Your comments and thoughts will help me drive the way forward for the blog. While I may not incorporate everything that is said, know that your comments are appreciated as they will certainly help me to think broader and play a bigger game.

Thank you, and here’s to the best of life!

With much gratitude,

Michelle, Chief Joy-Follower

To get 2010 started off right, let’s look back…

First things first. Got any idea what the initial blog post was about back in April ’09? In it, you’ll find the phrases: “Cedar Falls, Iowa,” “front row,” and “Taco Bell.” Still not sure? Here’s the gig that kicked this whole thing off back in the spring.

And…here are the reader faves from the rest of 2009!

Synchronicities & The Power of Intention:
–How Synchronicity Led To A Front Row Kiss
–Winning Tickets To The Caribbean
–Jefferson Starship and “Miracles”
–Neil Diamond, CEO’s, and Magic

Helping & Serving Others:
–How To Help Others Follow Their Joy
–You, Too, Can Make Someone’s Day

Law of Attraction & Concert Tickets:
–Rockin’ With The Who
–Is Front Row Asking Too Much?

Priorities & Life Purpose:
–Ever Been Called a “Quitter”?
–Is Today Giving You Energy…Or Draining Your Energy?
–Ever Wonder Why You’re Here?

Teachers of Joy:
–My Role Models in Following My Joy
–The Joy in Nature’s Lessons

And then there’s this one, just because it’s pure fun:
–Just Another Day On The (Nude) Beach

Thanks and love to all of you who support this blog! Thank you for reading the posts and commenting, for forwarding it to friends, for silently (and not so silently!) cheering me on, and most importantly for spreading the idea that when you follow the things in life that bring you joy…magic unfolds all around.

It’s true. Life really does get better when you Follow Your Joy.

Best wishes to you for a fantastic 2010! Who do you know who could use an extra dose of joy? Please share this blog with them, and together—let’s spread the good news.