The Impetus Was To Manifest More Joy

What brings joy to your life?

In May 2022, I lowered the garage door and drove away from my home for the last time.

The sun screen lotion was working overtime! Walking in the high dessert (Joshua Tree, California) during a mini-retreat with friends.

My practice of handwriting 3 pages each morning has become an invaluable habit.

I’d moved into my home 19 yrs prior. My children were 1, 6 & 8, my marriage (the first) was coming to an end. Moving five states south was a huge step but I had been so clear that it was the right decision, and God confirmed it with a wonderful home and an ideal mix of neighbors (politically, ethnically, age-wise, culinary abilities, all the things).

It was time for another big change: children now gone (one away at university), the 5 bedrooms were a bit much and the housing market was hot! Once I gave that fact space in my head and heart, things fell into place peacefully. The packing, selling, and a 5-wk long hiatus in a perfect little studio in California. I called it my peace journey - not to find it; to fully embrace it.

My days were filled with the morning writing practice* that I’d started a few months earlier, power and leisure walking, trying new foods, finding all the thrift stores and upcycling my finds into brand new looks (yep, took my sewing machine). Recognizing, with gratitude, how beyond blessed I was…I am.

A few days after a mini retreat to Joshua Tree with a dear friend and her partner (who happens to be one of my coaches*), just as I started struggling with my newfound freedom (ok, Angella, that’s enough of this relaxing shit! Get back to work!), my answer to “What brings joy to your life?” came flowing out in my morning writing. Included was spending more time with my bestie, cheerleader, soul-sister, sister-in-Christ, Leslie, and working on a project together: this podcast!

*Check these out. Some have freebies.

The Artist’s Way (audiobook available) is what led to my writing practice. Free PDF.

Connect with my coach Dr EJ Johnson. He has a new program for 2023: 2023 Elev8ed Year with discounts for blog readers (that means you!)