Today is JOY day! I am THRILLED to participate in Joy Day 2020. The idea behind JOY day is that we should spread joy everywhere we go! I definitely believe this. I am the kind of person that will make eye contact with you in the hall as we pass each other, and give you a smile. I am the kind of person that will tell you I love your shirt, or how wonderful you are to work with. I am the kind of a person that will listen attentively while you share a story with me, and appreciate that you are allowing me into your life.

I hope that you all will spread the JOY with me today!

I hope you have an amazing weekend, and that you are blessed through spreading joy to others!

Kara

This is me

That girl in the salmon colored dress? That's me. I feel like so much about me can be summed up in this picture. I am dancing and laughing -hard- with my sister! We are across the country celebrating our brother's oldest son's wedding.

In this picture I am spending time with my family...laughing... having fun... celebrating... (no alcohol involved!) You would never look at this woman and think, "Man, she's been given a heavy load to bear." But I have.

My family has had many difficult challenges from navigating mental illness... to losing our house... to cancer... just to give you a highlight.

But those things are not how I define myself. I would tell you, and those that know me best would agree, that I am a happy person...filled with joy...who always finds the good in every circumstance (even those mentioned above!). 💕

My circumstances don't define me, and yours don't define you either. You CAN be happy and filled with joy NO MATTER WHAT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. I am living proof!💞

I am PASSIONATE about helping you find this in yourself too! It is why I am on this Earth. It brings me joy 😘

Blessings,

Kara

Focus on the good

The last couple of weeks have been different than ever before. For all of us. It is not usually something we can say: all of us are going through the same challenging circumstance, Of course, each of us is having our own experience, but we are all living through this pandemic.

It is easy to focus on the fear. To watch and read all the news we can and worry about things we cannot control. But where does that get us??

Instead, I challenge you to focus on the good... the hope. What is the good you ask? Where is the hope? Just stop and look around you!

•  Communities are coming together
•  Strangers are helping strangers
•  People are checking in with friends or family they haven't talked to for a long time
•  Businesses are giving their products away, and finding new ways to use their resources to help those in need
•  You have time on your hands.... time to reflect and connect on a deeper level
•  You have time to have real conversations
•  You have an opportunity to spend quality time with your kids
•  Spring is springing! Spring brings new hope and new life with it

I challenge you to add to this list! What good and hopeful things are YOU seeing around you? Write your answers in the comments! For me, I have challenged myself to post something that I am thankful for EVERY day. It is a way to remember those things we are grateful for and change our focus. You can find it on Instagram and Facebook. Please join me!

Blessings,

Kara

Have you ever heard of a compliment jar?

A compliment jar is a great way to take care of yourself - now and in the future! The way it works is that whenever something good happens to you, write it down on a piece of paper. Then put that piece of paper into a jar (or box, or bag.... whatever works for you!).

Do this every day. Do it for small things and do it for big things. It could be something like "I helped someone at work today" or "I got out of bed" or "We got through breakfast with no fighting today".

When you make a point to write the compliment down, you will remember it. And, when you are having a harder day, you can look through all of the notes in your compliment jar and remember that everything isn't always bad. Sometimes we need that reminder.

Start your jar today!

Blessings,
Kara

Blessings

It's the simple things in life that make all the difference.

Family. Friends. Blue sky, sunshine, a gentle breeze.

It is easy to get caught up in having things... wanting to have a nice house, and a fancy car, designer clothes... the perfect life. But those things don't matter in the scheme of life.

Waking up each morning to a new day... spending time with your loved ones... appreciating all of creation. THIS is life.

Today, look around you. Count your blessings, especially the small ones. You woke up this morning. You had a bed to sleep in. You have some place to live. The grass is green, and the flowers are blooming.

What blessings are you counting today?

Kara