Many of you have been kindly sharing with us your learning from Steph's book, Reclaiming JOY: Your 4 Step Guide to Happy, Healthy & Free:. We thank you!! Please keep it coming -- and if you have something to share, please write a review on Amazon. 
Here's what one reader had to say-- thank you Dana...pictured left ENJOYING life!!
"The foundations of joy really resonated with me. In a time of personal change and growth it's interesting how these foundations evolve. Being aware of the change around you and always resorting back to my definition of joy, helps me ease into the change and not be scared of it. As I looked at each foundation intensely, my health, my relationships, my career and my life purpose it made me realize how much I've changed over the years in a good way, which then led me to be open to who I may become." -Dana M. ​

As the summer winds down, my body begins to feel this time of transition happening. Even though it's not a new year chronologically, for many of us, the school calendar is encoded in our being as a new year of sorts.

I don't know about you-- for me, at times it feels unsettling. Other times it feels exhilarating-- as if another adventure has been taken with more to come. I often wonder why it is that I feel such a range of emotion from happy to sad. I feel happy for the memories...lazy bike rides, stunning sunsets, fun times with family & friends, the warm sun kissing my skin, a sense of slowing down and going with the flow. I feel sad as I notice myself clinging to what has been.

And then I remember...I am also feeling the collective energy of those around me and the various exits and entries that are happening: for many of our children, summer jobs/internships, travel experiences are ending...and they are embarking on another school year, while some are entering the workforce...and still others are unsure of exactly where to be. In the midst of this, we too are experiencing our own exits and entries...perhaps our children moving away--or moving back-- and for some of us our jobs and/or relationships are shifting as we embrace a more conscious way of being. 

Wherever we find our self, may we remember that peace comes from within. We are responsible for creating our own peace.  As we collectively ride the wave of emotions, my wish for all of us is that we find the JOY in all of it and enjoy the ride. ​