Emerging Courageous Newsletter 41 temp Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel

Next week is my last week after five years as a massage therapist in a local hospital (seven years as a massage therapist). It is with bittersweet emotions that I leave. I am no longer able physically to continue giving a full days work as a massage therapist although I love my work. It has been a joy and pleasure to help others find relief from the pain although I have only been able to find temporary relief myself. This year because of my website, I have compiled a book of stories written by women on my site into a book entitled Women Emerging Courageous and am in the process of getting it published. I will focus on that endeavor in the beginning of 2004. I have also tapped into creatively expanding my love for drawing through watercolor painting and have already begun selling some of my artwork. So the new year will bring greater and more exciting adventures for me...and I hope they do for you as well. Lovingly, Marilyn

***From the Mailbag:
*"You are such an inspirational person, I thank you for another WONDERFUL, uplifting newsletter." Love you, bette tolnai

*My thanks go out to Tony DeLiso who sends my newsletter along to his email friends each issue.
"My pleasure! You do nice stuff Marilyn, worth sharing every time." Tony DeLiso

***Thoughts to Ponder sent in by Bette Tolnai

December 15, 2003
BE HAPPY! Choose Joy by Debbie Gisonni

What is joy to you? It can certainly take many forms. For one person, it may be the sound of children laughing or the smell of puppy breath. For another, it’s dancing in the moonlight or eating ice cream. For yet another, it could be a soothing massage or a free-style parachute jump.

We often associate joy with the things and events in our lives that produce the warmest and fuzziest feelings of pleasure deep within our soul, but true joy requires no stimuli. It’s a state of mind that exists regardless of what’s happening around you. You can access joy even during the most painful times in your life, because you have a place for it inside of you (which can
be found), and a memory of it (which can be reproduced). It’s like going to the automatic teller machine and making a withdrawal for happiness. But unlike your bank account, there’s an unlimited supply of joy to receive and share!

In my family, food always brought us much joy--preparing it, eating it or talking about it. I remember a story my father used to tell me about a time when he was away from home in the Marines. One day, a package arrived from his mother
containing a homemade blueberry pie. He was so excited that he and his comrades skipped the utensils, broke through the flaky crust with their hands, and shoveled the gooey mixture into their watering mouths. There was a look of sheer joy in my
father’s eyes each time he told that story. Later in his life, when he was dying of bone cancer, I personally carried a homemade blueberry pie on a plane from California to New York, just to see his face light up one last time. Even when people are dying, you can bring a little joy into their life…and yours.

When people ask me how they can find happiness during difficult times, my answer is always the same: It’s a matter of choice. Joy is present in your heart at all times. It’s your choice to use it and your privilege to share it.

Five ways to choose joy in your life:
· Recall a happy memory and focus on it long enough to bring back the feeling.
· Laugh, smile and joke whenever and wherever you can.
· Call or see an upbeat friend.
· Take a break from TV news and violent shows.
· Stay away from negative or angry people.

Copyright © 2003 Debbie Gisonni, All Rights Reserved.
Feel free to pass this column on to friends, family and business associates.

BE HAPPY is delivered free to your email monthly. www.reallifelessons.com

***Check out the Christmas Stories just added to www.emergingcourageous.com

Story Book Christmases by Betty King
www.geocities.com/emergingcourageous/stories/Dec2003/storybook.htm
[email protected]

The Christmas Basket by Barbara Elliott Carpenter
www.geocities.com/emergingcourageous/stories/Dec2003/basket.htm
[email protected]

The Christmas Mouse by Jaye Lewis
www.geocities.com/emergingcourageous/stories/Dec2003/mouse.htm
[email protected]

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*It is snowing here in Kentucky and puts me in the holiday spirit.
Been sitting by the fireplace with my cat at my side wrapping Christmas Presents.
Enjoy this Holy Season. Choose Joy . Marilyn
[email protected]

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