Spreading Tips for Living a More Joyful Life

Today’s prompt asks about my mission in life. It wasn’t always clear to me for most of my life. Major life changes helped me to reach within and work on myself until it came to me that I am here to help spread tips on living a more joyful life. By using the tools and techniques I’ve learned through various teachers, my journey as Barbara, The Spirited Strider, began over 14 years ago.

It started with a Memory Walk for the Alzheimer’s Association and I called my team of walkers “Team Spirited Strides.” That quickly led to my first blog and so many connections with new people. It led to learning many techniques from classes and workshops, to creating my website and a small business in coaching. While I no longer have my main website, having lost it earlier this year, I am appreciative of everything I learned while building it.

We often don’t realize the effect our words and actions can have on other people. It was through a powerful moment of inspiration that I knew that I am here to serve in love, one person at a time. I’m reminded of a sermon I gave once as a Certified Lay Speaker and a couple of years later, I returned to that church and an elderly woman came up to me to tell me how much that sermon affected her in a positive way. We often don’t get that kind of feedback about ourselves, but when we do, it’s such a good feeling to know that we made a difference in someone’s life.

For me, it was an affirmation that I’m doing something that is of value to others. I know my mission for myself and for others. Life is meant to be filled with joy and I appreciate that I can contribute to it in my own small way.