A Gift to You: Pure, Simple Joy

Time to read: 10 seconds

I started drawing a few months ago for the first time in my life. A short drawing class turned on something I didn't know was there. When I show people my work, they make suggestions like, "you should sell it!"

Drawing calms me. It feeds my creativity. It gives me something to give away (when I want to). Learning to draw taught me to see in new ways. Sometimes, you do something simply because it feeds you or you enjoy it. Simple as that. You don't have to make everything you do into SOMETHING.

Your enjoyment is value enough.

What's your pure, simple joy?

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3 Easy Ways To Cultivate Joy

Time to read: 56 seconds

Like this little beauty!

I love having a mail bag of questions and topics from all y'all. A number of you asked me to focus on joy, especially when there are so many things to worry about. So, today I'll show you the easy path to joy.

Worry and stress are easy. You only have to read the news or pay attention to the constant changes in the workplace to find things to keep you awake.

Humans are designed with a negativity bias. Our evolutionary interest dictates that a rustling in the bushes prompts us to think, "tiger!" and run. If we approach those bushes with curiosity and openness, we likely get chowed and that's our evolutionary end.

The good news? You are not stuck with your negativity bias. Humans also have choice and intention. You can cultivate positivity and joy.

Here are three easy ways to cultivate joy:

1. Look for it. Joy doesn't have to be huge gestures and momentous events. Find tiny moments. Sparkling snow. Delicious bread. A bird. Your first sip of coffee. You don't have to wait for vacation to find joy. It's around you right now, even people in Zoom calls say hilarious things or have a cool painting behind them.
2. Appreciation. Take every opportunity to offer appreciation - to your family, co-workers, the barista, your child's teacher. Make it your business to be the one who sends the appreciative email or notices what someone has done.
3. Gratitude. Do I dare go all cliche? Attitude of gratitude and all that. Gratitude matters. For real. Go to bed at night and wake up each morning thinking of one thing you're grateful for.

Put these three practices together, and you will have more joy. Works every time!

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Be well and have a good weekend.

What To DoWhen You Feel Helpless to Make a Difference

When unspeakable, heartbreaking, and bewildering things like Las Vegas happen, it leaves people like me feeling inadequate to know what to say. Silence isn't acceptable nor do I want to respond with a pat or simplistic comment.

So, first of all, my heart and prayers go out to anyone who is touched by recent events in the world - Las Vegas, Canada, Puerto Rico, Syria (to name only a few) - and any of you who feel the pain of these events even if they don't directly affect your world.

As I've processed the shooting in Las Vegas, I keep coming back to one thing.

The power of an individual.

In this case, it is the power of an individual to wreak terrible destruction, and certainly there are despicable models throughout history to prove that point.

Which brings me to you.

You matter. What you do every day matters. The way you behave towards others matters as does the way you treat yourself. If one individual can send out the ripple effect of so much pain, one individual can also send out the ripple effect of so much joy, gratitude, goodness, and peace. You have the power to be all those things every day.

Here's challenge:

When you close this email, immediately do one thing to point humanity toward the light. Call an old friend. Send an email to express gratitude. Bring coffee to a colleague. Step into the next cube and express your appreciation. Donate to the Red Cross.

This quote from the Dalai Lama hung on the bulletin board of my children's school all last year:

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.”

Be the rebel love today and always.

Christina

Summer is NOT Over Yet. What You Do With These Days Matters.

If you're in the USA, this weekend is Labor Day and Labor Day is the official end of summer and the return to well….labor.

And, it is still summer. You have 4 and a half glorious days of summer left. You have a long weekend. The pool is still open. The sun is shining.

Here's why this matters for you and your work:

1. Be present. Fall will come on its own whether you enjoy a trip to the lake or you worry about the rocket ship that launches in a few days. You may as well enjoy yourself. The practice of being present will serve you at work as well as in your leisure time by offering you less stress and more attention to opportunities.

2. Joy. Relish the joy of your time off. Laugh. Hang out with your family and friends. Eat. Play. A little joy will let your creativity soar over the weekend and will spill over to work on Tuesday.

3. Rest. Giving yourself time to rest and rejuvenate ensures that your best self will show up at the office on Tuesday (and incidentally, every day). You'll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed next week.

And, next week is a short week for those in the USA! That's pretty great, too.

Enjoy your last gasp of summer. I'll be at the state fair with my family and hosting BBQs in the backyard.

Hit reply to this email and tell me your plans. Or pop into the Corporate Rebel HQ Facebook Community and tell us all about it.

With rebel love,
Christina

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Be the light in the darkness. I dare you!

Estimated read time: 45 seconds (55 if you read slowly)

Let your light explode! Or shimmer! Or twinkle!

I was at a meeting this morning and before we began, one of the committee members (who is aptly named, Joy) asked each of us to reflect on where we find joy and light in the darkness. After each of us shared touching details from our lives, Joy said,

"It is a defiant act to be the light in the darkness."

If you watch international news or live in the North, you know that there is plenty of darkness to go around right now - literally and figuritvely. People have told me they feel guilty for wrapping gifts or making plans for holiday travel. They feel guilty for experiencing joy when there is so much darkness.

We need joy now more than ever. Being joyful is a radical act. Being joyful isn't about being complacent or blind. Joy is about harnessing the power of love, spirit, and fun to serve yourself and those around you.

We need your unique light. How will you bring your defiant light to your work and home?

Here are some ideas for inspiration:

• Laugh early and often.
• Take a treat to the office (baking is my personal favorite).
• Tell someone how much you appreciate them.
• Watch a funny movie. (Elf, anyone?)
• Give yourself full permission to enjoy the holidays (or not, if that suits you).
• Be inspired by the beauty in nature.

Choose one way you can add your light to the darkness. What will you do? I'll be baking, delivering treats to neighbors, and road-tripping with my family.

Email me at christina@boydsmithcoaching.com and tell me all about your joy. I love to hear from you!

Stay warm!

Christina

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