So far, Flat Flora has been on a bike, on a horse, on an airplane, in a car, in a camper and in the mail.  She has traveled around Southern Manitoba, Montana, Toronto, Nunavut and there is more than one making its way around Calgary!  She has been held, stepped on, chewed on, rolled up, folded up and lost!  Still, she continues to plant joy where ever she goes.  As more and more people are joining the game, it seems like a shame to end it and so, by popular demand, I have decided to continue the Planting Joy Game well into the fall!  There has been some talk of taking Flora to international destinations so I say, the more joy we can plant the better! 

Keep playing everyone!  Keep sharing what is joyful for you, tell others what you are doing so that they can play too.  More people focusing on the positive definitely can’t hurt!  Play on…

EnJOY,

Deb

One of the things I love about getting people to focus on something is how they take it and make it their own.  For instance, one of the Planting Joy “players” decided to take the Joy flower on holidays with their family.  As they thought of places where they could get their picture taken with the Joy flower they took the game a step further and actually gave the flower a name! 

So, I would like to joyfully introduce to you, Flat Flora – the official Joy Flower for the Planting Joy Game! 

It seems like another good example of the ripple effect.  I planted the idea of taking the flower, they started to focus on joy and fun, their creativity kicked in and they made the game even more fun by giving the flower a name and some personality!  It doesn’t take much to spread joy – just a little bit of effort and before you know it, it’s spreading.  I hope you’ll try it!

EnJOY,

Deb

It’s working, it’s working!!.  The Planting Joy Game is in full “bloom.”  One of my “plantings” happened at Tiber River Naturals.  I went in for a Joyful summer pedicure and of course, the fabulous staff didn’t disappoint.  Not only is the environment lovely and fun to be in, the service is friendly and professional at the same time.  The best part, though, was telling the staff about the Game.  Once I started to talk about it and showed them my flower, they wanted to be a part of it.  People around me started to smile and laugh and I could feel the mood getting even more joyful.  That, my friends, is the power of focus!  I am looking for places that I find joyful or can “plant” joy and by sharing what I am doing with others, it creates a ripple effect. The more that I focus on Joy, the more momentum it gains and the more people want to be a part of it. 

What would summer be without fun and games?  Most of the time, it’s easy for children to occupy themselves during the summer (at least at the beginning) but adults seem to have more difficulty with the fun part.  So, I’ve decided to give myself and those who would like to join me, a game to play over the summer!  Afterall, I am a coach and a coach with out a game is like a weiner without a bun! 

It’s called The Planting Joy Game and it’s super easy to play.  You simply have to take your official Planting Joy Flower and find the places, people and activities that are fun and joyful for you then get someone to take your picture with the flower.  Then send me your pictures and I’ll feature them right here on my blog and on my Facebook page.  That way, others can be inspired to make their summer a joyful one too!  Are you ready to play?  You can check here for more information: http://www.getitdunn.ca/2010/07/09/the-planting-joy-game/

Here’s the first picture that started the whole game! Dad, Mom and me taking in the entertainment at Assinaboine Park on July 1st.  We were sweating buckets but we still managed to enJoy the day!

Recently I was on a camping trip and was enjoying a nice sunny spot while reading my book.  Suddenly the shadow of  a dragonfly crossed the page of my book and then I felt the slight tickle as it actually landed on my forehead!  I sat very still looking at the tail of the dragonfly as it hovered above my nose.  We stayed that way for about four minutes until the tiny movements of the dragonfly’s legs began to tickle me too much and I had to move my head which caused it to fly away. 

Then, the other day I was sitting on my deck and a dragonfly landed on my arm.  I remained still and watched my new friend closely.  This time I was better able to see it up close and it was really amazing to look at – intricate markings and incredibly delicate wings.  We sat together silently looking at each other until it decided to fly away. During the next twenty minutes, three more landed on me – on one each leg and another on my hand. 

This experience made me think about what happens when you slow down.  I know some of you are not able to be still when there is any kind of insect around never mind landing on your arm but think of other times when you have stopped.  The dragonfly really helped me to be present to the moment.  I was not thinking about grocery lists, the emails that needed answering or how I was going to pay the bills next month…I was simply in the moment, observing this amazing little creature (who eats mosquitoes, by the way!) who decided to take a moment and observe me.  When we slow down, interesting things can happen and after all, there is only the present moment.  Being fully in the present is the best gift we can give ourselves. 

I looked up the symbolism of the dragonfly and among other things, dragonflies represent being fully engaged and living life to the fullest.  Hhmmm…it seems that my little friends have been trying to tell me something. By slowing down and being still, I received some helpful information and a gentle reminder about being fully engaged.  What would you discover if you slowed down and connected with stillness?

Deb

Are you ready to celebrate?  On Friday February 5th I started on a 100 day challenge with the goal of doing sit ups and push ups alternating days and going to bed between 10:00 and 10:30 6 out of 7 nights a week.  Today, Saturday May 15th, I have done more than 1000 sit ups, almost 1000 push ups and my body has shifted into a more natural rhythm of sleeping and waking.  In fact, I rarely need the alarm in the morning as I have been waking up before my alarm most days.  Have I done the challenge perfectly? Nope.  Have I had to recommit daily? Yes. There have been days that I forgot, days that I didnt’t make it to bed on time, days when I tried to rationalize that 10:38 was close enough to count it and there have been days that have gone according to plan. 

Now, I am celebrating.  I am celebrating that I started, I am celebrating that I restarted, I am celebrating that I did the best that I could and I am celebrating that I have learned more about myself and grown as a result.  Will you celebrate with me?

So many times when I suggest to my clients that they need to celebrate their progress, they protest. They tell me that they didn’t do it perfectly, or that they didn’t do everything that they wanted to do, or that they haven’t reached the final goal yet and so they can’t celebrate.  What eventually ends up happening is that nothing ever gets celebrated.  When we don’t acknowledge our efforts, when we simply move on to the next challenge or project our spirit gets tired.  When our spirit gets tired, we get tired and soon, if we’re not careful, we get stuck.  So please acknowledge yourself and what you have accomplished.  If you are reading this and weren’t a part of the 100 Day Challenge, find something that you have done recently and celebrate that.  Have some cake, go for a walk, hug a family member, throw a party…do something to tell your spirit that you are taking a short break and basking in your accomplishments.  It will do you and your heart a world of good.  I’d love to hear how you are celebrating…post your celebration comments here!  Now, I’m going for cake!

Joyfully,

Deb

The other day, the shift button on my computer keyboard was giving me trouble.  Instead of being able to easily press it to make my capital letters I had to apply heavy pressure get it to work.  I type quite quickly but this malfunction was slowing me down and starting to annoy me.  The thought crossed my mind that it was requiring a lot of effort and focus to use the shift button.  Instantly, I laughed!  It takes a lot of effort and focus to shift!  How’s that for reminder?!

Let’s face it.  It’s not always easy to make changes in your life.  Shifting a belief or a habit requires effort and focus AND perseverance.  That’s why I like the 100 Day Challenge.  You pick some activity or habit to focus on, you put in effort everyday and you do this for 100 days in a row.  As the Challenge draws to a close on Saturday of this week, it will be time to evaluate if anything has shifted.  Did you put in the effort and the focus required to make the shift? 

Joyfully,

Deb

P.S.  My shift button started working again the next day, with no help from me.  Hhmm…the ways of the Universe are mysterious indeed!!

P.P.S.  Stats update:  to date I have done 1297 sit-ups, 923 push-ups and gone to bed at the appointed time 63 out of 82 nights! 

Back in March I attended a Jesse Cook concert with some friends.  I have never seen Jesse Cook in concert before and for those who don’t know who this is, he is a very talented guitarist focusing on flamenco, rumba and latin music.  Wow, can that man play a guitar!  I have never seen someone’s fingers and hands move so fast and with such precision!  At one point in the concert, he answered questions from the audience and someone asked him when he learned to play the guitar.  He said he started taking lessons at the age of six.  No wonder he is so good at what he does! 

I realized it was another example of how much time it takes to master something.  Even though he makes it look easy and he is inspiring to watch, he has definitely put in his time.  And he hasn’t stopped.  He continues to learn more about the music of other cultures so that he can weave it in with what he already knows.  One of the true marks of a master – someone who is already masterful yet continues to learn about and expand their craft.

It’s a good reminder for me as I lament my lack of washboard abs after 83 days of sit ups and push ups.  Apparently 5 minutes a day is not going to yield the immediate results I was hoping for!!  Despite the lack of a visible six pack, I am noticing that my posture is better.  I have also noticed how much I have been using other parts of my body to hold myself up because my core muscles have been so weak and underused.  It is going to take more than 100 days to fully retrain myself but this has been a magnificent start!  If I had started doing sit ups when I was six years old like Jesse started taking guitar lessons I might be a master at it by now too!  So take heart…even if you haven’t accomplished exactly what you wanted to in your 100 Day Challenge or in life in general, remember that little bits everyday will eventually pay off! 

Joyfully,

 Deb

Recently, I was driving to my office.  I had a bad cold and I was feeling quite sorry for myself – quite whiny actually and I would rather have stayed at home in bed.  But then a van changed lanes in front of me and changed my whole attitude.  It was the license plate that caught my attention.  BLISS.  There I was, staring at BLISS and all I had to do was follow it!  And follow it I did!  Verging on stalking actually!  Every time the van changed lanes, I changed lanes.  Weaving in and out of traffic I followed BLISS most of the way downtown.  Briefly another car came between me and my BLISS but I could still see it and was still able to follow it.  

Eventually BLISS took another route and I continued on my journey but now I was in a completely different frame of mind.  I was delighted and arrived at my office in a good mood which was not only a bonus for me but also for my clients!  This adventure reminds me that there are times when things aren’t so great and then there will be times to follow your bliss and then again there will be times when bliss takes another path and we are left to continue on our journey, hopefully a little better for having experienced some bliss – however brief.  

Have you had any moments of bliss during your 100 Day Challenge?  I’d love to hear about them!  

Joyfully, 

Deb 

It been a while since I reported my numbers but for anyone who is counting, here’s where I stand so far:

Sit-ups: 697 (haven’t missed a day!)
Push-ups: 427 (missed two days)
Bed before 10:30: 38 out of 45 nights (you do the math!!)

I might be missing a few here and there but everyday is a new day!

Joyfully,

Deb