Joyful Living

At a time in my life last fall when I was feeling bright with hope for my future, I was also feeling incredibly overwhelmed about my life at home. I worried about how our family could reach some of our goals when our home life felt so draining and exhausting. Honestly, it often felt like chaos. At this moment of feeling unsure of where to turn to bring things into greater order at our home, Nicholeen Peck’s book Parenting: A House United came into my life, with the promise of it being able to bring greater order and peace to my home.

“Is your home in crisis? Do your children never do what they are told? Do you find yourself completely overwhelmed and hating to interact with your children? Do your children treat you with disrespect and cause contention at home? Are you out of control of your emotions as a parent too? If any of these descriptions sound like your house, then you might be in crisis and you will definitely benefit from reading this book. It is written for you. This book is also written for people who don’t want to ever have a home like I have described above and for parents who want to have an effectively communicating family right from the beginning of parenthood.” – Parenting: A House United, by Nicholeen Peck

We all want the best for our kids. We desire for them to have happy childhoods and strong relationships with us as parents. We also want to give them a strong foundation for a good life. However, in day-to-day living, these can seem like lofty goals as our children know exactly what buttons to push with us and we can often feel out of control and exhausted.

Listen in to this powerful episode of the Joyful Living Podcast where Nicholeen shares the 4 skills every child should learn to create greater harmony in the home, as well as greater success in the world after leaving home. Nicholeen’s powerful insights are sure to empower you with greater energy and joy to create more of the home life you really desire.

About Nicholeen Peck:

Website: TeachingSelfGovernment.com

Mother of four and previous foster parent of many troubled youth.

International speaker and author of Parenting A House United as well as the Teaching Self-Government children’s book series and founder of the Teaching Self-Government parenting program.

Star of the British TV program, The World’s Strictest Parents.

And president of Worldwide Organization for Women which consults at the United Nations and around the world with leaders about ways they can strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

Recording of Nicholeen on The World’s Strictest Parents:

 

p.s. Stay inspired to live in greater JOY everyday by subscribing to the Joyful Living Podcast in iTunes or Stitcher. Excited to cheer you on in living a life you love! Already subscribed and love the show? Be sure to leave a review in iTunes and feel of my deep gratitude!

Within all of us is an itch that can’t seem to be itched, a hunger that can’t seem to be satisfied. With the intense itch and insatiable hunger subconsciously driving us forward, it can be only natural to grasp at things we think will satisfy, only to be disappointed (and sometimes left more empty than before). Where does this come from? Our souls. Soul hunger can be easy to misidentify and misunderstand. However, as we courageously dare to get more clear on the “why?” behind what we are pursuing, it opens a candid, life-transforming conversation with our souls. We can then know more clearly what will finally ease the itch and resolve the hunger.

This powerful episode of the Joyful Living Podcast begins with an invitation to ponder the question, “Why do you want what you want?” We then delve into the deeply powerful metaphors with this conversation and the old Grimms’ Fairy Tale, “The Fisherman and His Wife.” This leads to discussing how we can so easily engage in “spiritual bypassing” by living disconnected from our heart and soul (ultimately by avoiding our shadows, rather than seeking to understand and embody wholeness). Finally we look at some simple and peaceful ways to come into greater alignment with our souls and live more FULLY ALIVE.

Some of the powerful quotes mentioned in this episode (as quoted from “Red Hot & Holy” by Sera Beak):

“I had plugged into spiritual paradigms and practices that fed my spirit but starved my soul.” – Sera Beak

“Real shadow work does not leave us intact; it is not some neat and tidy process, but rather an inherently messy one, as vital and unpredictably alive as birth. The ass it kicks is the one upon which we are sitting; the pain it brings up is the pain we’ve been fleeing most of our life; the psychoemotional breakdowns it catalyzes are the precursors to hugely relevant breakthroughs; the doors it opens are doors that have shown up year after year in our dreams, awaiting our entry. Real shadow work not only breaks us down, but breaks us open.” – Robert Masters

“The difference between the psychologically immature female and the psychologically mature woman (regardless of her age) is that the former would have love serve her, while the latter chooses to serve love” – Nancy Qualls-Corbett

p.s. Stay inspired to live in greater JOY everyday by subscribing to the Joyful Living Podcast in iTunes or Stitcher. Excited to cheer you on in living a life you love! Already subscribed and love the show? Be sure to leave a review in iTunes and feel of my deep gratitude!

 

So many of us are desiring to make shifts in our lives this year, which can make the beginning of the year intimidating, as well as exhausting. You’re fully involved in the dance between where you have been and where you want to be. Your desires are big + inspiring, but it can feel like a chasm is dividing you from now to there. In this special episode of the Joyful Living Podcast we dive deep into the importance of living this year more in your essence. Listen as we harness the power of the Cinderella story, including it’s relevant archetypes, and other powerful metaphors that speak to and inspire the soul.

What is essence? It’s your truest form of you. It’s the you underneath all the “supposed to” and “should” and “hope so.” It’s your divine spark. It’s what makes you come alive. Simply, it’s your uniquely brilliant + beautiful self. Living from your essence will transform this year from just an average year, to a year that sings, opens doors, and lights up your life.

However, living from essence is one of the most difficult undertakings of our lives (if not the most difficult). All too often we are like Cinderella, letting other people come into our “house” to tell us who we are and what we should be doing, waiting for their permission to attend the ball. But this is your year, Cinderella. It’s time to bravely live in your full beauty and brilliance, holding nothing back.

It may not be easy, but you were meant for this. Listen to this episode to receive some gasoline for your divine spark to grow into a bonfire. It’s time, Cinderella.

 

p.s. Stay inspired to live in greater JOY everyday by subscribing to the Joyful Living Podcast in iTunes or Stitcher. Excited to cheer you on in living a life you love! Already subscribed and love the show? Be sure to leave a review in iTunes and feel of my deep gratitude!

Thinking about (or dreading) New Year’s Resolutions? Think again. Rather than making lists of what to do or not do in this new year, you can do something MUCH more powerful! Over 4 years ago Kelly King Anderson invited me to dive in to the practice of choosing an intention word for the year. Ever since, my years have been drastically different. Kelly King Anderson joins us on this special New Year’s episode of the Joyful Living Podcast to share her insights on this truly powerful practice.

Kelly shares her fascinating and inspiring journey from first hearing about this practice from one of Danielle LaPorte’s blog posts over 7 years ago to now living this practice so intentionally that it’s become a major growth and blessing for every one of the years since. It’s truly remarkable to hear about what has transpired as a result of the words she has chosen each year and who she has become as a result of each year’s focus.

Kelly’s 2016 word is: NOURISH.

We hope this Joyful Living episode will inspire and strengthen you this year! What’s your word for 2016?

Also, for any of you who want to do this powerful practice in 2016, I would love to send you a graphic like the one above with your 2016 word. It will be in the same styling, but totally customized to your word(s). To receive your graphic, simply email me at quinn (at) joyfullivingmovement (dot) com and I’ll send you one!

Kelly King Anderson has some really incredible resources you’ll love, especially her inspiring books 10 Ways to Create Abundance with God and 10 Ways to Make Decisions with God. Feel free to connect with her directly on Facebook to continue this conversation.

 

p.s. Stay inspired to live in greater JOY everyday by subscribing to the Joyful Living Podcast in iTunes or Stitcher. Excited to cheer you on in living a life you love!

How deeply do you trust your mother’s intuition? The path of living joyfully for mothers requires us to get more in touch and live in flow with our intuition. Following our hearts requires great courage, especially when we are being led to do something that seems impossible or that we have heavy judgments about.

In today’s episode of the Joyful Living Podcast, Jenny Bradshaw joins me to discuss what it actually looks like to develop great confidence in following your intuition with your children and blazing your own trail, especially if homeschooling is calling to you. Listen in to experience deeper confidence in the greatness of living in more alignment with your intuition and your heart, regardless of if this path leads you to homeschooling your children (or if it leads you for only a short season).

Just like Jenny, I never, ever, ever thought I would homeschool my children. Being someone who loves business and making a difference in the world, I felt homeschooling wouldn’t be a good fit at all (& might even cramp my style). However, as I continued blazing forward on my personal path of living with greater joy, it’s required me to become much more intuitive and courageous in following what my heart knew was best for my children and our family. Thus I have homeschooled much of the past 5 years, seeking each year to really feel deeply into what was the right schooling modality for each my children for that school year and then courageously and faithfully moving forward on the answers received. It hasn’t been easy, but I can confidently say that where there is a will and your heart is guiding you, there is always a way.

This path is not uncommon to homeschooling mothers. In my experience, I have been so impressed by what an inspired group of women they are and how they courageously blaze their own trails and follow their mother’s intuition as their North Star.

Judgments and limiting beliefs don’t serve us well as we navigate intuitive waters. To really live in flow with what’s in alignment and highest good for us and our children, it’s crucial to stay open-minded and anchored. Rather than saying, “I could never do that…” or “that would drive me crazy” and settling for a less-than inspired life, we can try opening our minds and hearts to say instead, “I don’t know how it can work well, but I am open to seeing the way.

Jenny’s story and her experiences are deeply inspiring and insightful, regardless of if homeschooling is right for you. If anything, gain confidence by listening to her describe the processes by which she has heard her intuition and followed. The same principles and practices can be applied to any endeavor requiring us to follow our hearts courageously.

If you are considering homeschooling your children, this episode can open your mind to all the possibilities that really are there so you can more easily find what is really right for your family. There’s as many ways to homeschool as their are parents on the planet. Also, this time of year can be a great time to switch gears and start homeschooling if that’s what you’re feeling inspired to do.

If you are already a homeschooling parent, this episode can be a refresher for your path.

Years ago Jenny and I ran a fun organization for homeschool moms called Homeschool Chic. We created this yummy manifesto and still get asked for it by homeschool moms who glean inspiration and strength from it’s words (which apply to any mother, not just homeschoolers). To download a printable copy of the Homeschool Chic Manifesto, simply click on the image below:

 

With the new year dawning and holiday parties and goodies abounding, concerns about our body weight can arise for all of us women. It’s easy to feel down on ourselves about how tight our pants might be getting or to look at the looming year ahead and dread the slimming down process that we know she should be doing, but also may not really want to do.

Calli Lewis joins us on this special episode of the Joyful Living Podcast to talk about what’s really going on inside of us with the body weight struggle. She points us to looking toward our beliefs for information about why the weight continues to cling and why we can’t seem to keep it off (even when we work really, really hard to slim down).

One of the key points Calli brought up is that our desires are never stronger than our beliefs. So we can want to change our body weight as badly as we want water, but our subconscious beliefs will always win the battle. But how do we get clear about our beliefs and shift them to be more supportive to our goals? Listen in to hear insights and examples from Calli, including her own story of weight struggle.

At the end of the show, Calli mentions her upcoming 8-Week Weight Loss / Body Image Challenge where participants will get weekly support to break through their limiting beliefs and shift into healthy belief and weight patterns. For any of you interested, here’s the link to learn more and register (it’s a screamin’ deal for the value you’ll receive): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/8-week-weight-loss-body-image-challenge-tickets-20063870577

If you’re ready to really break through and move into a healthier relationship with food, your body, and your weight, this program will be so powerful for you.

 

Calli’s previous Joyful Living Podcast episode was also mentioned in the show. It is one of (if not the most) popular and powerful episodes ever on Joyful Living. If you haven’t listened in yet, check it out here: http://quinncurtis.wpengine.com/joyful-living-with-calli-lewis-episode-8/

 

p.s. Stay inspired to live in greater JOY everyday by subscribing to the Joyful Living Podcast in iTunes, Stitcher, or SoundCloud. Excited to cheer you on in living a life you love!

“Your life will be transformed when you make peace with your shadow. The caterpillar will become a breathtakingly beautiful butterfly. You will no longer have to pretend to be someone you’re not. You will no longer have to prove you’re good enough. When you embrace your shadow you will no longer have to live in fear. Find the gifts of your shadow and you will finally revel in all the glory of your true self. Then you will have the freedom to create the life you have always desired.” – Debra Ford

Jaque Hanson joins us for this powerful episode of the Joyful Living Podcast to discuss the joy of working with our shadows. We also talked about how messy and beautiful the process of our growth and self-awareness can be. Jaque shared some inspiring insights, inviting us to lean more into Trust and grow into the Truth of our unique and individual brilliance. In Jaque’s experience and perspective, the way to our joy is by learning to work with our shadow.

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of what “our shadows” are, let this quote from Debra Ford’s book, “The Shadow Effect,” illuminate things for you:

“Human consciousness is like a pilot light that never goes off. The problem is it is used to create either a life-producing heat or a life-destroying conflagration. Where there is no love, there is fear. And fear, once it has gripped the mind, is like a vice that threatens to crush the soul.

“So that’s what it is, this thing we call the shadow. It does not appear, in most of our lives, as a gigantic fire, but simply as a slow burn. It is you when you make the stupid remark, hurting someone you love and possibly ruining a relationship. Or you when you do the stupid thing that sabotages your career. Or you when you pick up the drink, although you know you’re an alcoholic and that if you continue doing this it will kill you. In other words, it is the you within you that does not wish you well. It is your shadow, and it can only be eliminated by shining forth your light.”

Many more powerful concepts are discussed in this deeply insightful and transformational episode that are sure to support you on your joy path. Not only do these concepts support our own personal journey, it can also be deeply transformational in how we relate to and work with others in our lives.

“Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people.” – Carl Jung

About Jaqueline Hanson, CMT, E-RYT:

Website: BeePresentWellness.com

Jaque is a certified massage therapist, Reiki & Shamballa practitioner and teacher, Advanced Energy & Shamanic practitioner, and Zero Balancing practitioner. Jaque also is a Kundalini & Hatha Yoga instructor.

Jaque’s passion for embracing holistic treatments developed as she faced physical and emotional challenges of her own and her family members. As she opened up to Reiki, massage therapy, yoga, meditation, essential oils, EFT and Shamanic healing the quality of her life and of her beloved family members began to expand and transform. Soon she organically began sharing these modalities with others and has created a carrier of Service. She continues to passionately learn and expand as a practitioner, teacher and a person.

Jaque is dynamic in her commitment to serve her teacher Siri Neel Kaur Khalsa’s community in New Cumberland, in Central PA at the newly opened in January of 2013 Kudanlini Yoga and Wellness center. She specializes in Deep Tissue, Aromatherapy and Prenatal Massage Therapies, Shamanic healing, Reiki and Advanced Energy healing,

Over the years it’s been inspiring to witness the evolution and blossoming of the beautiful, talented Mindy Gledhill, Indie singer and songwriter. Her courage and audacity to truly sing the song of her heart to the world with unabashed abandon over all these years has inspired me, as well as countless others.

In today’s episode of Joyful Living, Mindy joins us to discuss the real, everyday struggles and joys of living our truth… and even singing it out loud for the world to hear. 

Along with her career in music, Mindy is also a proud mother of 3 boys. In this episode Mindy shares the reality of balancing our passions with our top priorities. Listen in to hear how she creates space in everyday living to nurture her soul so she has more to give to the ones she loves most. Also, get inspired by her out-of-the-box, unapologetic approach to mothers truly leaning into what’s right for our families.

One of the most poignant focuses that Mindy brings to this episode is the important of stopping negative mental chatter and no longer giving energy to harsh, critical judgments from those around us. Instead, she affirms the importance of continually returning to and responding with LOVE.

2015 has been a big year for Mindy leaning even more into her joy. She and her incredibly talented brother-in-law, Dustin Gledhill, have joined forces to create Hive Riot, a “synthy, dance-filled party of electric alchemy.” In the name of letting loose and having a blast doing what you love, Mindy and Dustin created a fabulous 80’s inspired, synthpop music album that is soon to be released.

I was especially inspired by the lyrics to their song, Undercover:

“Step out from behind the shadows

Shake your shame and all your sorrow

Take your place and dance out in the sun

No one should live undercover

No one is above the other

Freedom is a gift for everyone.”

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration behind Mindy’s art and her heart in this powerful episode. We hope it will inspire you to hear the song in your own heart and more courageously sing it for us all to hear and be inspired by, also.

Mindy’s Website: MindyGledhill.com

Listen to previews of Hive Riot songs and stay updated on the latest developments here: HiveRiot.com

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p.s. Stay inspired to live in greater JOY everyday by subscribing to the Joyful Living Podcast in iTunes, Stitcher, or SoundCloud. Excited to cheer you on in living a life you love!

We talk a lot about living more joyfully as adults on the Joyful Living Podcast, but what about helping our children lean into joy also? One of the major aspects that drew me into loving Waldorf Education was how it creates the perfect environment for children to lean into the joy of childhood and the joy of learning.

Regardless of whether you love this educational philosophy, have never heard of it, plan on using it (or not), this episode is packed with so many powerful principles and proven strategies to support creating more joy in your home and family.

Our special guest for this awesome episode is Emily Merchant, Executive Director for Wasatch Charter School, the first public Waldorf-methods school to open in Utah. 

I’m truly so excited to share this episode with all of you because Emily is such a wealth of knowledge and experience related to Waldorf Education and how we can incorporate the principles into our homes. Emily has a background in teaching and educational policy and a Masters degree in Educational Administration and Waldorf Education. She is also the mother of three beautiful and lively daughters.

Want to learn more about Waldorf Education? Check out the Wasatch Charter School website and watch the great videos below.

Interested in the Wasatch Charter School? Wasatch Charter School is a public, tuition-free school that will be opening in the fall of 2016. It will serve children from kindergarten to eighth grade, and will also be partnering to offer pre-K, aftercare and other programs onsite. Enrollment is now happening online for families interested in sending their children to Wasatch Charter School.

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to the Joyful Living Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher or SoundCloud to stay updated on all the latest episodes. Snag the links HERE.

It has been a crazy “letting go” journey over the past month or so, including a lot of craziness that came up to this moment of finally being able to release this episode of the Joyful Living Podcast. The fascinating thing has been that I’ve heard many people in my life experiencing a lot of “letting go” lessons at this time, too, so I know this is not just something I’ve been going through. However, my journey with all of this really became powerful as I learned more about Samhain, the Gaelic festival where Halloween came from (usually celebrated October 31-November 1). The theme of this holiday on a very deep level is all about letting go. Fascinating timing, right? 

Little did I know at the time, but the “letting go” we talked about in Episode 17 was the tip of the iceberg of this incredible letting go journey. Weeks of intense sickness and blew through my household and my own body. It was a season of feeling the depths of the pain and then fully letting it go.. for good. It was also a season of taking a closer look at every major commitment in my life, cleaning up and letting go of any fear-based motivation involved and choosing more into alignment with my soul. However, when I went to publish this episode, other fascinating letting go lessons arose, such as my website suddenly completely being taken down due to being severely hacked (taking many days to recover).

So, rather than resist this season of letting go, I leaned fully and deeply into it. Now, on the other side, I feel more free and alive than ever before.

Listen to this episode to learn the powerful lessons that are found within leaning into letting go and join me in this wild and fabulous journey. My hope is that it will encourage and inspire you to continue to go deeply into your own letting go so you can live even more free for your next season of life.