While exciting times are coming with new paths I’m seeking, it still has a few drawbacks that make me a bit uncomfortable.

When I think about it, I get frustrated that I can’t move past it.

And why?

Here are a few reasons to share with you.

such a fitting episode to quietly celebrate 50 episodes.

an emotional journey this week as i was reunited with three former students who each hold a special, SPECIAL place in my heart.

just another moment to share that YOU matter.

the love, care, compassion, empathy, + inclusion you shower on each student may come back 1000-fold when you least expect it.

take a listen to three short stories of students that have impacted my heart with joy. imparted joy.

Today’s episode shifts to my Moments of Imparted Joy Podcast Guests Series 

A little space where someone besides myself shares answers to a few questions simply about… JOY.

My wonderful guest today is one of my best friends, Darrin Peppard.

Darrin Peppard is currently residing in Omaha, NE, with his lovely wife, Jess.

He is the Lead Innovator at Road to Awesome whose mission is to cultivate leaders by elevating voices and promoting positivity.

He is an author, publisher, speaker, and consultant focused on what matters most in leadership. 

He is the host of the Leaning Into Leadership Podcast and a proud team member of the Teach Better Podcast network. 

I’ve known Darrin for several years now and consider him + Jess like family. I used to kid that he was like the brother that I never knew I needed (or wanted).

Seriously, he is one of THE most supportive + encouraging humans I know, and he deeply respects and is fiercely protective of his circle of friends.

 Darrin took a few minutes to answer three questions asked.

How do you deliver JOY to others?

How do you receive JOY from others?

What does JOY mean to you?

While this is not a live recording, you will get to know his heart in only 2 short minutes.

He believes in surrounding yourself with the kind of people who lift you up, who make you better, who want what’s best for each other + who root each other on…THIS is what he is genuinely ALL about.

You can find all of Darrin’s contact information in the show notes below - if you need another amazing human in your life…he’s the guy.

Professional speaker, leadership coach, & author helping leaders gain clarity, walk in purpose, and find joy in their work - 🎙 Leaning into Leadership Podcast

[email protected]

https://roadtoawesome.net/

https://twitter.com/DarrinMPeppard

https://www.instagram.com/darrin_m_peppard/

If you would like to be featured as a Moments of Imparted Joy Podcast Guest, please email me at [email protected] and I will send you the link to respond! I’m all about sharing voices of positivity + hope!

the threads of our friendships + relationships mean more than we think they do.

leaning into the needs of others + cultivating joy should never be taken for granted.

think about the things we bring to the table.

our strengths, support, consideration, + can change the world.

Social media has become a prevalent part of our lives, and for many of us, it's hard to imagine a day without scrolling through Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. 

But have you ever considered how social media might be affecting your sleep?

For the past few months, I have been disturbed, like REALLY DISTURBED, by crazy + vivid dreams. I often wake from them and have trouble falling back to sleep - usually in fear that the certifiably insane dreams would continue.

There is growing evidence that social media use before bedtime can disrupt our sleeping patterns. 

Research has shown that the blue light emitted by our electronic devices can suppress the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycle. 

As a result, using social media before bed can make it harder for us to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. That’s part of it.

But I believe there is more to the story.

a story to share - getting past the overwhelm + anxiety to see a fresh perspective.

moving beyond fear + expectations to a space of generous grace + positivity.

Mosaic patterns.

An art form.

They are all around us.

We may recognize them.

We may unconsciously neglect them.

But they are there, waiting to be discovered.

For me, patterns are expressions of comfort + contentment.

It’s like an organic discipline that just falls into place without much effort.

We strive to teach others to discover them.

Our students, our children, our friends + family.

The wonderful thing about a mosaic is that there is no template.

No step-by-step guide of specific instructions to follow.

Just curiosity + creativity.

It shapes the mind through original arrangements of sights + sound.

Consider patterns you’ve noticed around you.

There’s a meditative rhythm of a mosaic that beats softly as designs come to life anytime and anywhere.

Our lives are that composite mosaic.

A work of art created by imperfect pieces that are carefully fit together.

Made from the broken and irregular.

Some pieces sharp, others smooth.

They can shine brilliantly or remain dull.

A beautiful representation of our lives.

As the pieces are arranged, the mosaic becomes bigger.

Bolder.

More complex.

The pieces are empowered to tell a story and evolve with change.

They unveil a transformation that establishes joy.

Joy cultivated from heartache.

Joy refined from grief.

Joy enlightened from havoc.

Joy refreshed from having loved.

Joy inspired from strength gained.

What does such a mosaic require?

It’s different for each one of us.

That’s the beauty of it.

It’s nothing you can force or demand something from.

You trust the process that encompasses every part of who you are.

Commit to initiate a fresh breath with gratitude and begin to assemble the pieces as you see them fit.

Nothing will be wasted.

Construct your collage with patience, grace, and forgiveness.

Then take a step back and look at the orchestration before you.

A bird’s eye view, so to speak.

It won’t appear as a complicated mess.

It will continue to develop your voice as you move toward dreams with passion and purpose.

Pick up the pieces and compose a mosaic of joy.

this episode highlights another one of my favorite humans who leads by example.

my dear friend, Craig Shapiro.

Craig is a Health and Physical Education Teacher/Coach/Trainer and positivity provider going on 33+ years from Southampton, Pennsylvania.

wellness expert, specializing in strength, nutrition, and mindset shifting.

author of the upcoming book: Dream Big - stories and strategies for a successful classroom.

you may know him simply by the nickname ‘Shap’.

he is a beacon of joy and brings a flood of positivity wherever he goes.

we met a few years ago through the #teachpos Twitter chat that he hosts weekly each Sunday at 7:30pm EST (insert shameless plug here, because you will not find a better space to gain new friends!) and I have followed him ever since.

if I had to describe him in just a few words on a list - a ‘SHAP-LIST’ actually (that’s what he’s fabulously known for by his friends) it would be:

Empathetic

Inclusive

Optimistic

Dreamer

and Loyal

this unedited, authentic monologue is genuinely a picture of WHO he is to so many of us who know + love him.

lessons from Shap...

being genuine + real is of great importance and has a huge impact.

kindness, empathy, and choosing words wisely.

giving a smile, a handshake, and being willing to help.

accept compliments without excusing them.

taking the most out of life, making the lives of others better, and always looking at the bright side.

embrace your influence. YOU make a difference.

connect with Craig here:

Twitter: @Shapiro_wths AND @Positively_well

TikTok: Chatting with Shap @cmsdreambig

Instagram: @wtcccoach

Website: https://cmsdreambig.com/