Quick. Stop what you’re doing right now.

Take a slow, deep breath in. And b-r-e-a-t-h-e out.

And notice:

What’s right with this moment?

Maybe it’s the gentle breeze coming in from the window. Or the fact that there’s not much on your schedule today. Or the great song that’s playing in the background. Or the excitement you’re feeling about an upcoming event.

What is it? What’s right with this moment?

[Pause here to think about it and let it soak in]

Got it? I love asking this question. In fact, I routinely ask it on the Following Your Joy Facebook Page and on Twitter. And I love seeing the answers people come up with.

Often times, it’s simple things like: “The smell of a vanilla candle,” “It’s a good hair day,” “The laughter of my baby,” or “My dog snoring.”

Occasionally they’re big things, too, like: “I’m alive,” “I’m healthy,” “My wife loves me,” or “I have a roof over my head.”

Remember, the more you focus on the good stuff (from enjoying a day in your PJ’s to a day free of pain), the more the good stuff multiplies. The more you celebrate what’s “right,” the more there is to celebrate in life.

One of my all-time favorite quotes is by Arthur Rubinstein: “If you love life, life will love you back.” So true!

So. Back to the pop quiz.

What’s right with this moment?

Revel in it. Breathe it in. Honor it.

Share the good news and leave your answer below. You’re sure to get an “A” for playing and for focusing on the good! Can’t wait to see what you all have to say.

P.S. Wanna do some more celebrating? Check out this post.

Got a friend you’d like to take this quiz? Pass along this along and let’s keep celebrating the good stuff!

I’ve been familiar with Arielle Ford for several years and have been thoroughly captivated by her work in the personal growth and contemporary spirituality movement. For the past 25 years she has been living, teaching, and promoting consciousness through all forms of media. Her career includes years as a prominent book publicist, author, literary agent, TV lifestyle reporter, television producer, radio host, publishing consultant, relationship expert, speaker, and columnist and blogger for The Huffington Post. How’s that for an impressive resume?!

Then, earlier this year it was highly recommended by a few folks that I connect with Brian Hilliard on Facebook. The buzz out there was that he was one of the most loving, spiritual, joyful souls on the planet and it was his mission to spread joy and love wherever he goes. And I would be “so blessed” if I would get connected with him. So I didn’t walk, I ran! And boy, were those folks right-on. This guy has single-handedly made me smile and filled my heart no short of a hundred times.

Come to find out that these two amazing and lovely people are husband and wife! And Brian is the “soulmate” who was the catalyst behind Arielle’s book, The Soulmate Secret, where she helps others learn how to manifest their own soulmate. How fun for me to make this connection! These two beautiful spirits are full of life, love, and joy, and I wouldn’t think of having a Following Your Joy interview series without them.

What an honor and a privilege it was for me to share time with Arielle and Brian! Now I’d like the pleasure of introducing them to you. 

* * * * *

Following Your Joy (FYJ): What do you think of when you hear the word “joy”?

Arielle: To me, it’s simultaneous with the word “fun.” I like to have fun all the time! One of the ways I have fun is making my desires happen; that’s my greatest talent. I do that by using a variety of prayers, rituals, techniques, and processes to manifest my desires into reality. Today we call it the Law of Attraction, but I’ve always done this to make things happen in my career.

So when I was 43, I decided to take all of this to manifest a soulmate, and it’s how I brought Brian into my life. I got very, very clear on the traits and qualities I wanted my soulmate to possess and the type of lifestyle that we would lead together, most of which would be filled with joy and fun.

I went through all the various steps, met Brian, and we ‘recognized’ each other. Three weeks later, we got engaged, and a year later we had three weddings!

FYJ: And you’ve been so happily married now for 14 years; that’s amazing!

Brian: With us, one plus one doesn’t equal two. It equals eleven. Together, our lives are magnified, amplified, and very powerful; it’s more than just the two of us. That’s how we experience life and how we want to live life. And the story of the way we came together is magic, synchronistic, and enchanting!

FYJ: Okay, I know you two have an exciting story. So let’s hear it. Exactly how did you two find each other?

Arielle: I was very clear and purposeful about the type of person I wanted to spend my life with. So I had made a “soulmate wish list” that included all the things that were important to me. I wanted to be the center of someone’s universe and I was clear about that! On the list, I said that I wanted to be with someone who is very generous, has a great relationship with his mother (I also wanted a great mother-in-law!), loves cats, is adventurous and open-minded, is willing to try new things and travel to India and other exotic places, is willing to go really deep with me, and knows how to access his heart and explore the realm of love, commitment, and intimacy.

I knew all of that was important, and I spent a lot of time thinking about how to make that manifest. I knew from my past experience that the only way anything manifests is when you know in every cell of your body that what you’ve asked for is already yours.

I also spent time talking to Brian in my head (even though I didn’t know him), living as if he already existed in my life. I had already begun a dialog with him and making space in my home for him; living as if we were already together…because in my mind we were!

FYJ: Sounds like that “acting as if” is a key piece to manifesting what you desire.

Arielle: Yes, that’s the difference between being successful in manifesting…and not. A lot of people live in the place called “wanting.” And when you’re wanting, all you get is more wanting. Instead, I was living in the place that I was already loved, cherished, and adored…knowing that the physical part of that is also coming. So when Brian and I actually met, it was this instantaneous recognition; the icing on the cake to this process.

So in my business, I ended up going out to see a client in Portland, Oregon, and I asked to have someone pick me up at airport. My client sent his business partner.

And when I got to the airport, that business partner was Brian!

Brian: When I picked her up, I said, “Do you recognize me at all?” And Arielle replied, “Yes, why do you ask?” Then I told her it was because I had been dreaming about her.

Arielle: Later we realized that as I was doing all of this “preparing” for Brian, that was when his dreams started to happen.

Brian: The night before I picked her up, my dream was so intense and was clearly Arielle, even though I didn’t know what she looked like. When I picked her up, I was astonished; I was floored and there she was…the woman in my dreams.

Arielle: A voice inside me said: “He’s the one.” And the voice continued, “This is how it happens, this is who you’re going to spend your life with.”

FYJ: Wow, what a cool story—it definitely gives me goosebumps!

Brian: Speaking of goosebumps, they’re part of my overall wellness program! I try to measure them throughout the day…how many goosebumps can I create? It’s how I feel recognition from angels; it’s my internal message. And after meeting Arielle and recognizing someone at that depth, it was like the goosebumps were in fireworks mode!

FYJ: Very sweet. I realize there’s lots more great details to the story, so readers should go here to continue with all the juicy scoop!

So…what is it that brings the two of you joy?

Arielle: Well, Brian smiles in his sleep, he smiles 24/7; he’s a joy machine and that’s his natural state!

FYJ: Actually I believe you because I see him in action on Facebook; he’s really lighting up our news feeds with a never-ending flow of joy!

Brian: I was fortunate, grateful, and blessed to grow up with a mother who showered me with the understanding that self-love was important. My mom knew when I was born that there was something going on there and she shouldn’t try to infringe or try to be too strict. She allowed me to explore and be curious, both in my regular life and in terms of spirit. She always trusted that I would make the right choices and gave me the opportunity to explore consciousness at a young age.

What I realized when I was very young is that if you reached out to other people—served other people, and provided joy and love in other peoples’ lives—it would come back to you ten-fold. Some of these basic tenets we all know about, but I was able to experience them early and apply them in my life early.

And so the magic began way back then and it’s just grown from there. It felt like destiny when Arielle and I met—I finally found a woman that I really deeply respected, and we had the same kind of curiosity, the same adventurous and generous spirit to share our love with others and reach out to help.

At least for us, we realize that’s why we’re on the planet: To help others, enlarge our family and circle of friends, and recognize that we’re all on this planet together.

FYJ: Where do you two find joy together?

Arielle: It’s really in the simple things—to get up every morning together, go for a walk, play with our cats, watch movies, enjoy eating, watch the sunset. Bri always points out hummingbirds to me, or butterflies, or the way the bougainvilleas are blooming. So it’s those simple things that are most joyful. We get to do big things too, like recently we got to go to Italy and visit friends and be adventurous…but it’s the day-to-day simple moments that bring me the most joy.

Brian: First and foremost, we wake up every morning in love, and we feel renewed each day because we really enjoy being with each other. Because of all these fun things we share, it all involves and evolves around friendship, connection, and relationship—with ourselves and all of our loved ones. We both enjoy enlarging that circle and we have rich connections with people.

But it starts with ourselves; we just love hanging out with each other.

FYJ: I’m blessed to share a soulmate relationship with my husband, Bill, too. And it’s funny–since the beginning, we call our relationship a “24-hour slumber party.”

Brian: Great! We’re going to borrow that one!

Arielle and I are here together for a major reason; it’s bigger than ourselves. Life reaffirms that with our friendships and some of the work that we’re doing around the world and locally. It’s joyous, it fills us up. When you fill yourself up and you go out to share that, you can take on a lot of things in the world because of being filled up with that love and joy.

FYJ: What happens when you don’t honor, or make space for, what brings you joy?

Brian: We’re definitely not infallible; the humanness always plays a role. Early in our relationship we still had to find our boundaries. Arielle loves her creativity and projects and is a major connector in the world. So she rocks and rolls and goes along at a pretty fast and heavy clip. And yet there’s another part of our life—our passion for one another—and we had to navigate and dance in that world in the early days. But we’re mindful of that now, and we’re also very transparent and clear on our messages. Arielle is especially laser-like in that regard!

If we have an issue, we’re going to sit there and deal with it until we get closure. That’s what has really helped us. In the early days, we had to realize when to turn off the business mind and open our hearts and move into the other aspects of our lives without cloudiness.

If I’m out of balance or out of integrity in any way, Arielle addresses it with me…with love, and I know she’ll always be there. There’s a level of respect and honoring our agreements. Because we had experienced a lot of life before we came together, we came to the table with that respect as an anchor which is really meaningful.

FYJ: That “respect” is really important for us, too, and we always say it is the most important fundamental ingredient for a happy marriage.

What keeps you two on-track, motivated, and on-purpose?

Brian: We don’t want to wake up to a different dream! We’re very grateful, we appreciate our relationship, and we have a deep and full understanding of our purpose together. That’s motivation enough! We want to continue to be filled up and then take that love and joy out into the world. That’s a pretty hard-driving motivator.

FYJ: What insights have you learned along the way that you would like to pass along to readers?

Arielle: You know, there are a lot of people addicted to suffering, and they don’t even realize it because they’re so deep into the story that “life is a struggle.” And they think if they’re not struggling, then they’re doing something wrong. I never bought into that. While I did struggle when I was younger, I knew I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life that way. So I began to study happy people and learn what it takes to be happy.

What I discovered is that you actually have choice and control over your thoughts and feelings, which is something that nobody bothered to teach me when I was growing up. I thought if I woke up in a blue mood that all I could do was to ride it out ‘til it was over. 

I’ve been very fortunate to learn that there are many, many different techniques to manage and master my thoughts and emotions. Now I’m happy probably 98% of the time. When I’m not, it’s always a good reminder to get back into happiness, or what you’re calling “joy.”

There are things you can do (for example, change the food you’re eating or engage in intensive therapy, meditating, or prayer). For anyone who feels stuck and not feeling joy in their life, know that you absolutely have the power to change that. And even when the really crummy stuff is happening (because we don’t get to control every event in our lives), we do get to control our reaction to it.

Whatever you’re experiencing, get a timer and set it for three minutes and spend the next three minutes trying to feel as absolutely horrible as you can with whatever that feeling is. And most people will find that within 60 seconds, they’ll snap out of it, because once you put your full attention on to what’s real for you, it dissipates…and then you can choose a new thought, behavior, or new way of being.

Brian: And these tools are accessible to everyone. You have to make the investment and time, and make the choice to allow it to happen. Material things aren’t going to provide joy and happiness; it’s an inside game and so what better investment to make than on yourself…rather than running around trying to pay off a mortgage or make more money or buy an additional car or a vacation home. It’s an inside game and until you’re happy with yourself and you have that self-love, the world is going to sometimes be draining, and you aren’t going to get the results you desire.

Arielle: Another thought, too. You know how when you get on an airplane and the flight attendant will say that if we lose altitude, the air masks are gonna fall down from the ceiling? And they always tell you to put your own mask on first before you help anybody else. It’s kind of like that with joy. You really need to fill yourself up first before you can spread any other joy around.

There’s a lot of people believing that they need to take care of other people first before they are deserving, and really it’s quite the opposite. That’s something I’ve learned from Brian. He is the most unselfish person I know, and yet he always puts his own well-being first. He doesn’t miss a day of exercising, meditating, yoga, eating right, taking his vitamins, getting enough sleep; those are just non-negotiable items with him. And because he takes such good care of himself, he has an unlimited capacity to take care of me and everybody else that he comes in contact with.

It’s really some old, wrong thinking that we need to be “selfless” in order to be a good person. First you need to fill yourself up and then you have more to give to the world.

FYJ: Go, Brian! Yep, that’s the same principle I share with clients when discussing self-care. You’re no good to anyone if you’re not filling your own tank first.

Brian: For me, I’m a big ‘heart’ guy. I’m very close with the founder of the Institute Of Heart Math. They are pioneers in the study of the heart and have determined from a science perspective that the heart is the core to your life experience. They’ve measured all this.

What they’ve determined is that when you align your heart with your mind, all this magic takes place. When we talk about taking the time to fill up energetically with your own love and joy, it’s measurable that you can have more of that love and joy to take out to the world. You’re more resilient, you’re not on a ‘roller coaster ride,’ you have more clarity, and you rely more on your intuition. I’m a big experiential conveyor of this message. I know this has worked for Arielle and me, and we’ve seen others benefit so much from making decisions resting in the heart.

FYJ: This one always comes up in my coaching with clients, too—that ‘pull’ between the heart and the head. It’s pretty easy to get lost in your head, in the details, and forget about how something feels in your heart.

Brian: Yes and your world will change if you do this; I promise all your readers that. Things will happen in a much different way and you’ll feel a greater appreciation for yourself and the world. Sure, the rational mind is worthy; there’s a practical element to it. But it always goes back to the heart and living in love and appreciation, where the magic begins.

I’ve also come to realize that we are all homing pigeons finding our way home. It’s our obligation and our responsibility to be open to all the teachers and authors out there. There’s so much truth and wisdom and golden nuggets of wonder and enchantment. Integrate what you can process and what you feel is in your best interest. And have some fun on the planet! It’s all about relationships. Get out there and share yourself because you are a valuable gift to this thing we call life. We all are.

* * * * *

FYJ final thoughts: Wow! What a thrill for me to have the gift of time with Arielle and Brian! It was a treat to have a sneak peek at the wisdom, the joy, and the love they exude–both individually and as a couple. I feel blessed to have these kindred spirits in my circle of friends, and I can truly say that my life is brighter because of our connection! Special thanks to this beautiful couple for sharing their story with Following Your Joy. For a deeper look into their lives, their work, and their passion, check out The Soulmate Kit and Arielle’s website.

I’m writing this from seat 9B on a flight from Milwaukee to Minneapolis, heading home with Bill after a 26-hour whirlwind mini-vacation. The trip was chock full of opportunities to “receive.” And let me tell you, it was quite a valuable lesson.

We’ve all heard the mantra: “It’s better to give than to receive.” Like most others, I always bought into that concept, too, until my ideas around it were challenged, causing me to think completely differently.

Yes, giving is wonderful! And it’s what makes the world go ‘round. However…

I just finished the book The Go-Giverby Bob Burg and John David Mann. If your life or business involves giving to others (which I hope it does!), then this book is a must-read. In the book, one of the Laws of Success is “The Law of Receptivity.” Its tagline: “The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.”

When I first saw that, I thought, “Huh?” But now I get it and I couldn’t agree more.

The Law of Receptivity

The book goes on to explain that as “all of humanity is breathing in oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide…organisms of the plant kingdom are doing the exact opposite—breathing in carbon dioxide and breathing out oxygen. Their giving is our receiving, and our giving is their receiving.”

“In fact,” the book explains, “Every giving can happen only because it is also a receiving.”

Brilliant.

Most of the people in my life are tremendous givers. I’ll include myself here and say that it feels good to give and it comes naturally. I don’t really have to think about it; I must be hard-wired that way.

At the same time, I’ve always considered myself a pretty good receiver. When someone gives me a gift or a compliment, I take it all in and allow it into my heart. I feel the gratitude and appreciation and always let the other person know of the gift’s impact on me.

But now I realize that it goes even deeper than that.

* * * * *

Milwaukee-bound

Before our trip, I had contacted a friend from Milwaukee that Bill and I had gotten to know on occasion; someone we always thought would be fun to get to know better. In hopes that we might be able to hook up, I texted him after we landed at the airport to say we had arrived and we would be going to the State Fair later that afternoon to see a concert. His message back to me was: “I live three blocks from the Fair. Park in my driveway and I’ll drop you off at the front gate.”

Really? This guy was willing to drop whatever he was doing and go the extra mile to help make our visit to Milwaukee a hit? My first thought was, “Oh no, don’t worry about that; we’ll be okay.” But I took a breath, let in his offer, and told him we’d be delighted.

Receiving Exercise #1. Thank you, Dave.

When we got downtown and pulled up to the bargain mystery hotel we booked online, we were shocked. Instantly treated like royalty, this beautiful, fancy, and luxurious historic hotel had us hooked. After we checked in at the front desk, the bellman came over and said, “May I help you to your room?”

My knee-jerk reaction would have normally been: “No thanks, we’re good.” But I looked up at the elderly gentleman with white gloves, took a breath and said, “Sure, I’d love that, John” and handed him my overnight bag.

Receiving Exercise #2. Thank you, John.

Our white-haired bellman proudly showed us to our room and explained that this hotel is where all the Presidents stay when they’re in town. The woman at the desk had so graciously told the man, “Take them to my favorite room!” So we were whisked away to a beautiful corner room with big windows on two sides, allowing the sun to shine brightly onto the plush king-sized bed.

Thank you.

Bill and I were excited when we got to the Fair that afternoon. A friend in the band we had come to see said he’d have tickets waiting for us at will call. When I approached the ticket office, not only was I on the band guest list, but inside the envelope were two VIP backstage passes that granted us access to come and go as we please.

Really…for me? I was overjoyed!

While I was super excited to hang out backstage, I was mostly touched by the generosity and gesture of our friend going the extra mile to make our evening an over-the-top experience. Sincere friendship with a kindred spirit rocks. Our multitude of hugs and “I love you’s” after the show made my heart soar.

Receiving Exercise #3. Thank you, Kenny.

This gesture reminded me of why I’m always moved to tears the moment Bill and I step onto a cruise ship for a week’s vacation. That’s when you first make your entrance into the glorious multi-level atrium with beautiful ornate art and elegant detail; that vision serves as a reminder to me that I am going to be totally pampered and taken care of for the upcoming week. A time completely focused on receiving. It’s not unlike wearing a special badge that says “VIP”; I know I am going to be taken care of. And it feels good.

The show

Just a few days prior, a friend told me her idea about “Pennies from Heaven” and how that’s her sign that a loved one who has passed is thinking of her. After our meeting, I said: “Watch, I bet I’ll find a penny soon that is meant just for me!”

And when Bill and I made our way to our concert seats, the first thing I noticed was a penny in the aisle just next to my assigned seat #1. This was my confirmation, my affirmation, my thumbs-up…that all is good, all is well. And my nod from above to keep having fun and enjoying life, embracing the things that make me come alive and bring me joy. I smiled as I picked up the penny and proudly put it in my pocket.

Receiving Exercise #4. Thank you.

The concert rocked, the clear and sultry summer night gave way to a purple sky and stars, and the crowd of several thousand was united in the celebration of life and of good times. Bill and I danced our hearts out and cheered with the concert-goers around us. Time stood still in those glorious moments as I breathed deeply and allowed myself to receive the goodness of all that surrounded me.

Receiving Exercise #5. Thank you, Mother Nature; Thank you, Steve Miller Band.

When the concert was over, my Milwaukee friend insisted we call him for pick up. Within minutes, he was at the exit gate ready for us and drove us back to our car, parked at his house. Our ‘thank-yous’ and ‘good-nights’ with him and his wife included tight bear hugs and a knowing that we would all be in each others’ lives again soon.

A pensive plane ride home

As the plane took off today for the journey home, we were reminded by the flight attendant that in the event of cabin pressure loss to “secure your own oxygen mask first before assisting others.”

This is the essence of receiving.

We have to—yes, we must—fill our own tanks first before being of any service to others.

This jaunt to Milwaukee taught me volumes about the importance of—and the joy of—“receiving.” Special thanks to my several teachers and angels along the way for orchestrating everything so perfectly.

My learning around receiving this week has reminded me that I am important, I matter, and I’ve got to keep shining my light brightly. And now because my tank is overflowing, I can so much more easily and effortlessly give to others. I’ve got an abundance of reserves!

In working with clients these last several years, a common theme that comes up—especially for women—is the struggle with receiving. And I see all kinds of guilt, discomfort, and uneasiness around it.

Listen up: Receiving is a good thing. Not only does it feel good, but it’s our one and only way to be able to give back to the world in all kinds of meaningful ways. In fact, when someone gives you a gift or does something nice for you…the best thing you can do is to simply receive it gracefully and graciously–which is actually like giving a gift right back to them! 

Try it. You just might like it.

How will you open up and let your heart receive today? Love for you to share your thoughts below!

Beginning in the mid 1960’s, Marty Balin was the lead singer and founder of Jefferson Airplane—a pioneer of the psychedelic rock movement from the San Francisco music scene. I met Marty a few years ago backstage at an outdoor summer concert when he was performing with the spin-off group, Jefferson Starship.

Since then, we’ve spent time together on a few different occasions and I came to realize that this guy loves what he does. And I’ve been drawn to his voice since I was a kid (yes, some of my favorites are from my preschool days!). When I posted on Facebook that I was doing an interview with Marty, one of my FB friends commented: “Marty’s got one of the best voices in rock and roll!” Agreed.

Need a quick refresher? First check out this post to read the cool story of when Marty and I first met, and you can also catch a glimpse there of one of my favorite songs of all-time, “Miracles” (which hit # 3 on the Billboard charts in 1975).

Doing this interview with Marty was a joy…and a breeze. He’s laser-focused, living a life of intention and simplicity, and following the things in life that bring him joy—to a “t.” He’s living a lifestyle that is the essence of following your joy. During our interview, I realized that he couldn’t be a more perfect candidate for the blog’s Joy-Follower series.

Without further ado, I’m very proud to introduce the legendary Marty Balin!

*******

Following Your Joy (FYJ): Tell me about how joy shows up in your life.

Marty: Joy. Well, isn’t that the whole purpose of life, anyway? People are so inundated with technology these days and walking along like zombies, lost in the world of technology. You can read all the self-help books you want, find a guru, read the Bible—they’re all going to tell you the same thing: Find your inner self, your peace, your joy. Who knows, maybe they’ll come up with a chip of “joy” and implant it in people!

FYJ: That might not be so far-fetched!

Marty: But you have to find things for yourself. You can hear something, you can be taught, you can read about joy…but unless you actually absorb it and feel it yourself, it doesn’t really matter. Everybody can be touched by something that’s real to them, something that’s universal—whether it’s music, books, movies—no matter how many cell phones you’ve got!

FYJ: When did you first know that music brought you so much joy?

Marty: I’ve always loved music and it’s always been a part of my life. Even as a boy, I would sing on street corners and in the church choir. We lived in a poor neighborhood, and on Christmas Eve I would go into the rich neighborhoods and sing Christmas carols on the streets. People would invite me into their homes and give me something to eat or give me a dollar or five dollars.

Still to this day, I love to just sing. It’s healthy for you. Everybody should sing! Now you’ll find me in the grocery store whistling or humming, and people ask, “Why are you such a happy person?” There’s always some kind of tune going through my head. I do it unconsciously, and my mom said I whistled before I even talked! It’s funny, sometimes I will hear my song come over the sound system in the grocery store and the check-out person will make small talk and say, “So, what do you do?” and I’ll say, “Oh nothing”; I don’t want to tell them: “That’s me up there!”

My parents were very encouraging. If I wanted to do something, they helped me do it. If I wanted to paint, my father brought me paints and paper, if I wanted to try out for a dancing thing, they’d get me to the audition. My father was really into music, so I had the influences of Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald. There was always music going on.

FYJ: What is it, specifically, about music that brings you joy?

Marty: The “connection” that happens. Music is the soul of people. I can’t imagine a world without sound or music. We all have sound within us, where we can be awakened or touched. Music is a universal vibration that goes through the world and something we can all tap into.

And of course I love hearing the applause! It’s a wonderful thing to see people enjoying your song. People tell me this song meant so much to them, or they gave birth to that song, or their father died to this song.

FYJ: And I’ve told you how much “Miracles” means to me.

Marty: Yeah. And I love to watch people dancing with me or singing along or swaying to the music; you can see them enjoying hearing the song live. It’s just a thrill to bring all these people together on one song.

I don’t think of me doing it, I think of it flowing through me. When I write songs, I don’t really ‘write’ them; I just reach up there in the ether and find out what it’s saying to me. I try to get out of my own way and don’t try to cram words into something. I take down translation. And if I get it right, it works.

FYJ: What else brings you joy?

Marty: I love to paint. Sometimes something’s not a song, sometimes it’s a picture. It gets me away from strumming my guitar all the time. I’ll be playing the guitar and then walk by my canvas and say, “That should be red!” and then bam—I’ll work on that for a while. Talk about “following” your joy!

I love to read and watch old-time movies. I’ve studied the great actors, writers, and directors. I love the theater and how when you see it live, the chills go through your body.

I still enjoy the old-fashioned stuff. I like to touch and feel a book. There’s something intrinsic in the touch, like having a guitar and the feel of the neck.

I’m not interested in technology. I don’t have the time or the inclination to bother with it. I’m staying away from a lot of it. I’m on a landline with you now!

FYJ: Me, too.

Marty: I like things that I can touch and feel. I like to write with a paper and pen. It’s there, I can see it, I can touch it. Someone else can transcribe it and send it on to a publisher. The joy is in the real intrinsic thing of how you move the pen, the way you write. I’m not in that much of a hurry!

I think I’m going to become Amish. Give me a buckboard—you know, those four-wheeled wagons—and a horse. I’m going to go backwards. I’ll bring my guitar. I’ll be touring the U.S. in a covered wagon. “It’s Marty on tour with his buckboard!”

FYJ: It will take you a long time to get to the next venue!

Marty: But that’s okay, ‘cause he ain’t in no hurry!

FYJ: So how is your life impacted when you take the time for what brings you joy?

Marty: What I do is no different than what I’ve ever done; it’s my life. I find joy in all the things I do and take time to enjoy. I love to take time to stop in a bookstore, have a cup of coffee, and see what the new magazines are. I like what they used to call ‘newspapers.’ You used to have to learn how to fold a newspaper on a subway; that took a talent. I’m an old-fashioned guy.

FYJ: Actually, it sounds like it’s more about “simplicity,” than being old-fashioned.

Marty: Well okay, then.

FYJ: Who are the people that have inspired you most?

Marty: My father—he’s 93 and the smartest guy I know. We’ve always been friends, and I’ve traveled around the world with him on concert tours. He recently saw me play with Jefferson Starship in New York.

When it comes to musicians, there are many that inspire me. When I was younger, I used to hang out with Muddy Waters and Otis Redding. In the 60’s, I was good friends with Jim Morrison. We were wild childs in those days! We used to enjoy writing and literature together; we spent time with poets, writers, filmmakers. I also hung out with Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia. And promoter, Bill Graham, was a major influence on all of us.

I have an Avatar from India, Sathya Sai Baba—he helped me change my life. I study the Vendanta philosophy and practice yoga. It’s all about the inner god we all look for and being true to yourself.

FYJ: What’s next for you?

Marty: I’m staying back while Jefferson Starship is on tour now. I had so many songs piled up that I’ve got three new albums! The first one, Blue Highway, will be available this fall. It’s kinetic and ‘real’; we all played together in the studio.

FYJ: Great! Where can we get this new album when it’s available?

Marty: Well I have actually dipped my toe into the electronic waters and I have a website now where you can order my music: www.martybalin.net.

FYJ: You have your own website? I didn’t think you’d ever make that leap!

Marty: Well I did! By the way, there are other websites out there that I have nothing to do with, but this one’s mine.

FYJ: I’m excited to check out the new album! So, as we wrap-up all this talk about joy, what tips or suggestions do you have for readers who want to do a better job of following their joy?

Marty: There’s that little voice inside of you that tells you: “Yes, this is good” or “No, this is not good.” And that little voice is your conscience. That conscience is your soul, and it knows what’s right and wrong for you. It knows how to bring you joy. And if you don’t follow that little voice, you’re crazy. It will never lead you wrong.

FYJ: But when we get lost in the busyness and in the “noise”, it can be hard to hear that voice.

Marty: Yeah, I can hear people saying now: “I can’t find it on my BlackBerry!”

You can read every self-help book in the world and they all say the same thing, whether it’s the Bible or whatever. It all gets down to that little inner voice inside you; it’s your guide. If you follow it, it will tell you. Even if you’re eating too many donuts and the voice says, “Buddy you’re full!”—you should listen to it. Whether it’s about personal relationships, driving too fast, swimming out too far, whatever; something’s always talking to you. There are angels all around us, and you have one inside yourself.

Too many of us look externally or to other people. We want someone to tell us what to do. You don’t need that.

*******

FYJ final thoughts: Wow. Marty was the initial inspiration for me to get these blog interviews going. If you haven’t seen how it came about, be sure to see the previous post here. I’ve had it in the back of my mind to interview Marty for four years…and here it is! What a treat. Thank you, Marty—I knew I felt a deep connection with you, and now I understand why.

Feel free to leave your comments for me–or for Marty–below. I’ll be sending him a hard copy of this post via snail mail. Only he and my grandparents get special treatment like that. :)

A few years back, I had a plan in place to interview some of my favorite musicians and share their stories with the world. And as I looked at my blog this morning, I just realized that this “dream” has now become a reality. That is very humbling! My coach encouraged me to share the story of how it unfolded, as it’s a great example of how dreams often take shape…not necessarily looking like we originally planned!

The background

Four years ago I met legendary musician, Marty Balin (of Jefferson Airplane fame), backstage at a concert. Bill and I got to share some fun personal time with him before the show (go here for the details). I’ve always been drawn to classic rock music and the way it shaped our generation in the late 1960’s, so the conversation with Marty was a thrill.

After going home that evening, I reflected on our talk with Marty and was overcome with a deep need to put it all in writing. It wasn’t the “facts” or the historical details that were important to me. What I wanted to share via my writing was about Marty, the man. The guy who enjoys yoga; the guy who adores his young daughter; the guy who is a great painter. The types of things that most people have no idea about.

You can go anywhere on the Internet to find out which bands Marty was a part of and the names of the albums he’s recorded. That’s not what I’m most interested in. I want to know about the cool guy who’s just like you and me. And I believe that’s also doing the world a service—to learn about legendary musicians as “people”; not as the untouchable icons we’ve made them out to be.

I couldn’t seem to let this go, and the idea remained dormant in my heart.

One year later

It was a full year later when Bill and I caught Marty on the road again. I found him before a show and nervously told him my idea—that I was enthralled with his “story” and I wanted to do an interview with him. I told him I would be submitting the interview to various major music publications.

Marty said, “Great, let’s do it!” and wrote his phone number down on a piece of paper and gave it to me.

Really? It was that easy?

So after the show I went home and got to work. I researched a variety of publications that seemed like a good match for the articles I planned to write. I began a “wish list” of the myriad of musicians I couldn’t wait to interview. I put together a document outlining my goals, outcomes, and intentions. I made a vision board. I was ready to go!

Dashed hopes

But all my enthusiasm was quickly stifled. The more research I did, the more it seemed that there was a big amount of red-tape to get my articles published. Most editors didn’t get back to me. And the ones in the biz who did, said they didn’t take articles from freelance writers so it probably wouldn’t happen anyway. While all this was disappointing, it didn’t stop me from the ‘knowing’ that I would still get these interviews going. Somehow.

Next, Marty and I kept missing each other and weren’t able to connect. We even stayed at the same hotel once and a group of us had dinner together…but the timing simply was not matching up to do a one-on-one interview, no matter how much we both wanted to make it happen. I even had a brand new digital voice recorder that never made it out of the package.

I lost steam. And it all started to feel like an incredible amount of work…and I eventually lost my interest in pursuing it further.

But I didn’t lose my energy and passion for connecting with these musicians and having honest conversations around “who” they are and what brings them joy. For whatever reason, though, it didn’t seem like it was meant to be—at the time. So I put the idea on the backburner. And the idea was so far on the backburner that I kind of forgot about it.

It came back to find me

A few years later, I created my Following Your Joy blog and spent a year laying the foundation and getting it exactly how I wanted it. Right from the start, the joy theme was resonating with readers big-time.

I got to a point where I was excited and ready to start talking to others I admired about how they embrace joy in their lives. Suddenly, it was time to start thinking about my musician friends again!

I tapped back into that excitement I once felt. I called Marty (had no idea if he was at the same phone number or what he was up to) and everything started to unfold beautifully. He was hip to the idea right away and we got our interview scheduled (it’s published now–check it out!).

In the meantime, I connected with another wonderful and joyful musician, Kenny Lee Lewis, of the Steve Miller Band. When I approached him about an interview, he simply replied: “Sounds fun, here’s my cell #.” Again, way too easy!

It was such an honor to interview Kenny (be sure to check out the article here). I’ll never forget him as my “first,” and he set the stage for great things to come. Readers particularly loved learning about Kenny as “real,” and I love that I got to provide another space for him to shine his light.

I’ve got a list of all kinds of cool people I admire who I’ll be interviewing and sharing their stories. Many are musicians, because I’ve got a special passion for music. But many are not—I’ll be interviewing people from all walks of life: Authors, business leaders, stay-at-home moms, adventurers, and a multitude of other amazing and inspiring people. I can’t wait to talk to them about what brings them joy and share their stories here so we can all learn from them!

How cool that I have my own successful blog now where I can interview whoever I want whenever I want and call my own shots. No politics or red tape to deal with and it’s all a breeze…and fun. One of my favorite things to do is to help people shine their lights in the world, and I love that I get to use this blog as a vehicle to do that. Yes!

What I’ve learned about dreams

The Law of Attraction states that we are each responsible for the what and the why of that which we desire to manifest in our lives.

It’s the how that is up to the Universe. And it’s important to be open-minded about that “how,” because it might not look exactly like we planned.

My dream four years ago seems to be the perfect example of how you’ve got to know: 1) What you want, 2) Why it’s important to you, and then 3) Trust that it will all unfold in its right time. This reminds me of a great story I told a while back about trusting in the process of life.

So this morning I smiled and was reminded that yes, this is a big deal. This is a dream I’ve held that is finally coming true. Thanks to my readers for cheering me on, sharing in the excitement, and providing a venue for me to publish my interviews. And special thanks to Marty and Kenny for being a part of the dream…and to so many others to come who I’m excited to introduce here!

I’ll wrap this up with an excerpt of an email from a good friend—one of my cheerleaders who has witnessed the unfolding of this dream over the last few years. She said: “You basically created the medium for these interviews without even knowing it. Who needs Rolling Stone!?”

Amen!

Be sure to sign-up below so you don’t miss any of the exciting stuff to come.

As part of a series of interviews with some of my favorite Joy-Followers, I’m proud to introduce Kenny Lee Lewis, guitarist and vocalist for the Steve Miller Band for over 28 years.

Why Kenny?

Bill and I first saw the Steve Miller Band live a few years ago and were completely blown away. Here’s a group of guys that knows how to have fun and how to show the crowd a good time, connecting people through the joy of their music.

I particularly felt a connection with Kenny and after reading about him, I decided, yep—this was the guy I wanted to talk to. The Following Your Joy blog is full of stories of synchronicity, and I was enthralled with Kenny’s write-up of how he and Steve Miller started working together way back. On his website, Kenny tells how he snuck out of his house as a 13 year-old in 1968 to see Steve Miller play live.

From his website: “When I watched him that night in ’68, I could swear he made eye contact with me for a moment and winked. I made a sub-conscious auto-suggestion to myself right then and there that I would meet him someday and play with him.”

And in 1981 that all came true!

I was further inspired by Kenny’s philosophy that he describes on his website: “If I play the guitar, and it makes people smile, then I must share this gift everyday, even if it means no monetary reward other than the sheer pleasure of doing my spiritual duty. After all, the Power that gave it to me in the first place also gives me my awakening breath every morning.”

What a joy for me to have a fun conversation with such a cool dude. Enter in my friend, Kenny Lee Lewis.

*******

Following Your Joy (FYJ): What is it about your life in music that brings you joy; what do you love most about it?

Kenny: What I do with a guitar is a gift that was given to me before I was born. And the reaction I get from people listening to my music is what I call a transference of joy. I’m not even in the equation; it’s like I’m like the vessel.

And Steve Miller has finally come to that realization, too, and knows he’s a very lucky guy. Sometimes he’ll turn to me and say, “Can you believe these tunes? These songs that we’ve written are doing this to people?” It’s amazing. And people keep wanting to come every year. When you see tens of thousands of people going through this experience, and the energy behind it—it’s so exciting!

When I was younger, I used to think it was me and that I was doing this. But now that I’m older and more in touch with all this, I realize that it’s not me; it’s just a transference of the energy. It’s bigger than us, including Steve. What a gift we’re given as musicians—through art and sound, we can help a person alter their perception and maybe even change the way they feel…even for the rest of their lives, because of that one moment in time.

Being a part of this gives me a feeling of relief—I don’t have to hoard it, encapsulate it, try to market it, or become a millionaire. It’s not about that. It’s about transferring this gift—that I had nothing to do with—and pass it over to the listener. And that is such a thrill.

It’s cool to see how music releases a lot of people who normally wouldn’t get up and move or clap or sing. People have stuff that weighs heavily on their shoulders and it’s difficult for them to express themselves. Sometimes I’ll see a guy at the beginning of a show with his arms crossed, looking at us like: “What are you gonna do for me?” He’s not fully there. And then he’ll get up and go get a beer.

But then all of a sudden I can actually see him go through a transition. By the end of the night he starts changing. Now he’s clapping, smiling, standing up, fighting his way to the front of the stage because he wants to be a part of the show. Then he’s the guy who ends up begging for a guitar pick! That’s the thing I’m talking about—to watch someone go through this transition for a bunch of songs. It’s pretty cool.

FYJ: What else in life brings you joy?

Kenny: I love fishing. For me, it’s selfish; it’s my meditation. When I fish, I get to concentrate on something so intently that I can shut out all other things…not unlike music. It allows me to be able to go to a different place and disconnect. It lowers my blood pressure. When I’m out on the road, if there’s a body of water nearby, I’ll go fishing after sound check on occasion. I’ll fish right up until it’s time to go on-stage. Then I go from this guy in funky shorts running around with my fishing gear up to the last second…to putting on my “costume” of rock and roll idolatry and go up on stage and be a god to somebody.

I also enjoy cooking. I don’t use recipes, but instead I dive into ideas—not unlike writing a song. I like to use a combination of different things blended together in a different order and use all my senses to create. I get to test things out on my family, and sometimes my wife will say, “That was so hot it blew my head off!”

Writing, too—I’m working on a novel and a TV show.

And I’m a foodie. When we’re on tour, I always enjoy the regional food. When I’m in Florida, I have grouper; in the south, it’s collard greens and ribs; in Minnesota, I do walleye; steak in Kansas City; beignets in the French Quarter.

It gives me great joy to share playing music with my wife, Diane, who’s an excellent professional keyboard player and vocalist. We’re both music teachers as well, and helping students perpetuate the transference of musical ‘joy intoxication’ is one of the gifts we both share.

FYJ: In the busyness of life, it can be easy to lose sight of the things that bring you joy. How do you know when you’re straying from those things?

Kenny: There are times when I played music and didn’t experience joy—those were the jobs where I just did it for the money. That’s where art gets polluted. I’m always trying to be the best artist I can be, but at the same time, there’s a point where you start refusing those jobs because you realize that you’re just not getting anything out of it. It’s not fun.

So when I’m playing a wedding and they tell us to keep turning it down every second, we can’t have any of the food, and we have to go out to the parking lot for our breaks and enter only through kitchen…I realized this is not for me! I finally had to make a decision: Do you want the money or do you want the joy? I’m gonna go for the joy!

But in order for that to happen, I had to eliminate those private event gigs because they weren’t satisfying any longer. Yeah, you take a cut in pay, but you get the potential for more joy. When I’m not at a goofy wedding band gig, I can be at home writing a song or spending time with my kids.

When you find yourself taking longer lunch breaks, finding excuses why you can’t make it to work, just not wanting to be there physically, punching the clock and counting the hours—that’s when you know you’re not following your joy. Even though you’re doing your job and getting it done, it’s not working.

It’s like going to church and not getting fed. You race in right before the service starts and count the minutes ‘til you can get out of there and then run out the door. You gotta ask yourself why you’re doing it. That’s when you know you’re not following your joy.

FYJ: What’s the advice you’d like to pass along to readers?

Kenny: Follow your dream, and never think that you can’t do something. You can do it if it’s something you want to do as a ‘bucket list’ thing. Never say never.

I have a guitar student who runs a heart center at a hospital. He’s in his 60’s and he knows he’s rotten but he went out and bought all these amps and guitars. He just loves playing. He turns his phone off and plays, and it completely brings him joy. You don’t have to be an expert, be the best, or even be gifted. You can find your joy center in areas that are completely opposite of what your occupation is.

FYJ: What’s the most exciting part of all this for you?

Kenny: That transference of joy I talked about. It’s about someone listening to the music and saying: “That was really cool. By being exposed to that art, I changed; I thought differently, I had an epiphany. I decided to be nicer to my kids, or rotate the tires on my car,” or whatever it is!

My final thoughts

Before my conversation with Kenny, I spotted a guitar pick sitting on my desk. It was one that Steve Miller handed to me after their last show here in Minneapolis earlier this year (yes, I was one of the goofballs dancing up front near the stage). I’ve kept that pick on my desk as a symbolic reminder to me of an evening filled with joy, where music connected people to one another and to themselves.

As I waited for my scheduled interview with Kenny, I reflected on this ‘transference of joy,’ so to speak. And after the interview was over, I was delighted to know that what brought me joy about that concert experience…was also what brought him joy.

Tapping into Kenny’s joy!

Learn more about Kenny Lee Lewis here. And you can support him by checking out his amazing jazz guitar album, New Vintage. You can also see his work with the Steve Miller Band; their new album, “Bingo!”, is getting great reviews! One final thing that drew me to Kenny was his recent blog post about meeting one of his musical inspirations, Jeff Beck. If you’re a music fan, don’t miss this one.

Enjoy this interview? More great stories coming! Register for updates below to make sure you don’t miss any of the good stuff!

Portrait artist: Chris Shin

Many of you have reported that it’s so easy to get caught up in the “busyness” of life, and that you’ve lost touch with what brings you joy, struggling to make it a priority.

You have so resonated with the idea of Following Your Joy, that I’m extremely excited, proud, and humbled to get a new gig going here. This blog started out as a place to share what I know about joy…but now it’s time to get some other big-time Joy-Followers involved!

So let’s learn from the experts and see how it’s done. Soon, you’ll see a series of interviews with some of my favorites. Read about their journeys, what makes them come alive, and how they live intentionally and ‘on-purpose.’

I’m very particular about who I choose to interview; they’re all authentic, real, genuine, and have a true passion for life. They’re musicians, authors, business leaders, adventurers, stay-at-home moms, and just plain cool people.

Some of them you might recognize; others you will not. Did you read the last post, What’s The Mask You’re Wearing? Check it out. The common thread with the Joy-Followers I’m referring to is that they’ve taken off the mask and chosen to follow their joy. Fantastic and exciting people to learn from!

When you’re following your joy, there is a depth and a richness to life that is unequalled. I can’t wait to introduce you to some friends who’ve truly got it goin’ on.

In the meantime, please make sure you’re registered as an official subscriber so you don’t miss any of the good stuff (you can subscribe in the upper right corner of the site). And get the people you care about to sign up, too! After all, who couldn’t use a little more joy in their life?

It’s up to each of us to spread the good news.

Thanks for being here and stay tuned!

For example, you might wear a certain mask when you’re with family—not letting them know how you really prefer to raise your children. Or you might wear a mask with friends for fear of them learning how overwhelmed you really are with life. And the one I deal with most often—the mask you wear in the workplace. This one allows you to play the game, live up to (perceived) expectations, and most importantly—not let anyone see who you really are.

In my coaching, the masks that clients talk about are pretty big and definitely get in their way of fully being who they are.

Posing as someone else takes work

It takes a lot of energy to wear a mask; to be someone you’re not. One of my clients felt compelled to put on her mask every time she walked through the door of her large organization. She revealed to me that she worked hard every day to keep the mask on and keep co-workers at a distance due to her deep fear of being “found out.” Found out that she wasn’t as great of a mother as everyone thought she was, found out that she didn’t feel as confident as people thought, found out that she struggled with food addictions, and so on.

My heart aches when I hear this. Because each person is always doing the very best they can. And if you think they’re not, think again. My client is doing her absolute best in each moment. That, in itself, makes the world sing. We’re all doing our best and have so much to offer by being ourselves.

We put these masks on to show that we’re stronger, more confident, a better parent, smarter employee, more “together,” etc. We fear that we’re not ‘enough’ as we are; that we are lacking something. But in reality, we are all amazing…if we only let ourselves shine and not pretend to be something else.

Being all of who you are

It’s okay. Be precisely who you are. In fact, when you’re not being “you,” you shortchange the world.

Unsure how to articulate who you are? Then please take some time to read this post because it’s imperative that you begin the journey to get clear on this one.

We’re all human. So, first before our roles/titles/jobs, etc., we are people. We all have lights to shine. What if we could go to work every day and live in the world around us, being all of who we are…without apology? Wouldn’t we all be more relaxed and under less pressure to “perform”?

Take some time now to ponder these questions:

–What are the various masks you wear and what purpose do they serve?

–Where are you not being yourself?

–How could being ‘who you are’ bring you greater joy?

The key to following your joy is being who you are.

 

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!

Needless to say, after I published the post, I had the song “Who Are You” (by The Who) in my head for the remainder of the day…and week.

Then it got me to thinking that I should probably share with you what it reminded me of next.

Bill and I are both huge fans of The Who. It started a few years ago when we first saw the band live, and from the moment the rockers hit the stage—we were hooked. Since then, we’ve lived it up and seen nine shows in six states, always up close if not in the front row; we’ve hung out with the crew and made it backstage—I’d say that classifies us as official Wholigans!

A couple years ago the band had a contest where you could win an all-expenses paid trip to their show in Finland. All you had to do was create a visual representation of your answer to the question “Who are you?”

“Easy,” we thought, so Bill and I got to work. And here are each of our three entries. Enjoy!

*  *  *  *  *

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Not bad, huh?! We didn’t make it to Finland, and of course we were disappointed. But obviously it was not meant to be. That’s okay, though, we still look back at the joy we experienced crafting our entries and reflecting on our answers. I think we put in a pretty good effort, don’t you?! :)

It was a fun process to put words and pictures around “who” we are. Care to give this exercise a shot, yourself? If so, send it to us by July 16 and we’ll add your art to a post dedicated to you—our readers!

Rock on!