I had the opportunity to attend the Manhattan Beach Women in Business conference last Friday. Their theme for the event was, “Accelerate your Business, Celebrate your Soul.” It was a fun-filled day networking with new friends and re-connecting with old friends. They presented their Heart & Soul Award this year to Jane Phillips who founded “The Crown Jewel Club” (www.CrownJewelClub.org), a non-profit organization for at risk girls in South Central Los Angeles. The program fosters increased self-esteem and how to make better choices. I was so moved by this woman’s program that I immediately sponsored a young girl into a 6 week course ($100 investment). South Central Los Angeles is about 20 miles from my home and is an at- risk community.

Here’s to another great week. If you missed my teleseminar yesterday titled - “5 Secrets Every Smart Woman Needs to Know to Double Her Business Growth”, don’t worry. As long as you registered, you’ll be getting the .mp3 of the call. I also made the announcement that I’m taking registrations for my teleclass series.

A quick reminder:  I went in today for my annual mammogram and it was quick! I checked in at the reception area at 1:00pm and was in my car at 1:30. Don’t put this off ladies! It was quick and relatively painless, due to the new technology.

I’d also like to extend a very warm welcome to all of our new newsletter subscribers from all around the country. I’m so glad you’ve joined us!

Be well,

Joy

Thursday night, I had the opportunity to spend the evening with a group of women from www.WonderfulOnlineWomenLA.com.  These women have formed a community where single women over 50 can come together to have dinner and conversation about navigating life and dating in the Los Angeles area. 

Ellen, the WOW organizer is quite resourceful and amazing.  She hosts gatherings where women and men can come together in a safe, fun setting to meet and learn more about one another.  I spoke to these women about “Creating The Spark; Igniting Passion for The Work and Life You Love.”  It was well-received and timely as many of the women are looking to make changes in both their personal and professional lives.  We enjoyed a delicious dinner, had a meaningful and energetic conversation and closed the evening with a birthday celebration for one of the members that included a delicious cake!

These types of events give me a feeling of gratitude.  To have the opportunity to do this work and integrate a full life for myself and family is truly what it’s all about for me.

“In the long run, we only hit what we aim at.”  Thoreau

Be well,

Joy
 

As I entered the Library at my son’s elementary school today my eyes immediately gravitated to a fantastic display at the entrance in honor of Women’s History Month. The bold title of the display is “Rulers and Rebels – Extraordinary Women of our Time.” Wow—powerful words. Reading those words sent a tingle through my whole body.

As I reflected on this later in the day, I became keenly aware of how true this has been in the history of women’s lives in this country (and around the world.) We must certainly be “rulers and rebels” to achieve the firm foundation that we now stand on. The women who went before us must have held on to dreams not only for their future but for the future of all women who would walk the earth after them.

Do you have a dream that you are holding on to? If so, don’t miss my article today. It’s about Smart Women Who Dare to Dream.

Be well,

Joy

My good friend and smart woman, Beth Osisek recently gave me a coffee mug for my birthday that reads, “Women are like tea bags. You never know how strong they are until you put them in hot water.”

Well, let me tell you, I’ve been in hot water this week! I have learned a most challenging (but needed) lesson. About 7 days ago, I woke up early one morning to do some work on my computer. I went downstairs, got my coffee and sat down ready to do some creative work. Guess what? My laptop hard-drive was dead, died, gone—never coming back. Guess what else? I had not been a very smart woman when it comes to backing up all of my files. I have spent the last 7 days sweating out the possibility that I may have lost most of my valuable information.

Ladies, don’t make the same mistake! Back up those files! Hit the Save button! I just learned this afternoon that most of my files have been retrieved. I got lucky this time. There will not be a next time. I bought a new backup system today and you can bet that I will be using it.

It’s important to know what to save and what to let go of in life. If you are curious about what we should let go of, be sure to read my article today.

Be well,

Joy

PS. We had a fantastic turnout at my Creating The Spark teleseminar last week. Everyone who registered for the call should have received their .mp3 and transcript now. Watch future News & Events in my ezine because I think we’ll do this again!

This past weekend was opening day for our community Little League Baseball. Both of our children love sports and were excited to go and pick up their new uniforms and reconnect with old teammates from last season.

I remember loving sports when I was a little girl. Getting a new uniform always brought me a new sense of empowerment. I was a year older, a little taller, and getting that brand new uniform always brought a lot of possibilities in my mind. I think organized sports is helpful to the development of children in many ways. Team work, collaboration, self-esteem, self-confidence, getting more in touch with their bodies and it’s just good fun.

A regular theme of all opening days in sports is the National Anthem. Every time I hear it, whether it’s the local Little League, The World Series on television, or at Dodger Stadium here in Los Angeles, I always cry—a lot. As I reflect on this, I think they are tears of gratitude. I’m grateful that I live in a country that honors free speech and free choice. In many parts of the world, I would not be able to write, let alone attempt to do the things that I write about.

Since you do have the freedom to choose what you would like to do, don’t miss my article today. It’s about answering your call and I don’t mean the telephone.