Joy & Rest

1. Joy is happiness with a purpose.
Happiness often shows up in fleeting moments—laughing with a friend, accomplishing a goal, hearing good news. It’s beautiful, but temporary.
Joy runs deeper.
Joy isn’t just about what happens to us. It’s rooted in who we are, what we value, and how we find meaning in the everyday. It’s a steady inner current, not a passing wave.
When our happiness aligns with purpose—our why—it transforms into something more enduring.
And here’s the part I hold onto most:
👉 Joy is a choice.
Not in the sense that we ignore hardship or push away pain—but in how we show up, again and again. Choosing joy means:

• Practicing gratitude
• Cultivating a resilient mindset
• Honoring what lights us up
• Seeking what’s meaningful, even in small moments

Of course, in times of trauma or deep grief, joy may feel distant. And that’s okay. In those times, support—from loved ones, community, or professionals—can guide us gently back to ourselves.
Joy is a practice. Joy is possible.
#ChooseJoy #JoyfulLeadership #PurposeDrivenLife #EmotionalWellness #MentalWellnessMatters #GratitudePractice #HealingJourney #IntentionalLiving #InnerStrength #WellBeing #MindfulMoments #PositivePerspective #ResilienceTools #JoyIsAChoice #LiveOnPurpose
2. Rest is not a reward. It's a requirement.
I constantly need to remind myself of this one!  We live in a culture that praises hustle and glorifies burnout. But the truth is--rest is not a sign of weakness. It's a powerful tool for clarity, creativity, and resilience.
Rest isn’t just sleep (although quality sleep is vital).
Rest is also:

• Taking a pause between meetings to breathe
• Saying no to preserve your energy
• Going for a walk without your phone
• Laughing with someone you love
• Giving yourself permission to do nothing without guilt
• And this week it is heading to my Uncle’s Cabin in BC where there is no cell phone coverage! 

When we rest, we reconnect with ourselves.
We regulate our nervous system.
We come back to our values.
We restore our energy so we can lead, serve, and create with purpose.
You don’t have to earn your rest.
You just have to honor your humanity.
Today, give yourself the gift of rest—whatever that looks like for you.
You are allowed to slow down.  I’m off to pack up and rest by the river.
#RestIsProductive #RestIsResistance #ChooseRest #NervousSystemCare #JoyfulLeadership #WellBeingMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #PauseAndBreathe #ResilienceStartsWithRest #PermissionToRest #LeadershipWithHeart #RestReclaimRestore #SlowDownToSpeedUp #InnerPeace #IntentionalLiving