Ode to Joy!

Article & photos by Margalit Ward

What can I say, I just couldn't help myself.

With the launch of our new Balancing Motherhood women's group this week, (what a wonderful group of powerful, committed and inspiring women. Wow!) and this beautiful spring like morning in sunny LA, my heart was bursting with gratitude and joy for all the blessings in my life and I wanted to share some of it with you.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes about the JOY of life!

"Joy is not in things, it is in us." -Richard Wagner

"Ecstasy is a full, deep involvement in life." –John Lowel

"It is astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen." –Frances Hodgson Burnett

"Joy delights in Joy." –William Shakespeare

"I've never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful." –Unknown

"To love what you do and feel that it matters –how could anything be more fun?" –Katherine Graham

"Enjoying those things for which we were presumably designed in the first place... the opportunity to do good work, to fall in love, to enjoy friends, to sit under trees, to read, to hit a ball, to bounce a baby." –Alistair Cooke

"Love many things." –Vincent Van Gogh

"Joy is increased by spreading it to others." –Robert Murray

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our soul blossom." –Marcel Proust


Making a clear intention of experiencing greater happiness and joy, or any other quality, is the first step in creating more of it. Choose to create joy in your life today. Laugh. Play. Breath. Enjoy this moment. Reach out to others, and do the things you love. Your happiness today is the gift you can give to yourself. Enjoy!

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Eclipse! February 9th

News from our favorite Astrologer, Spiritual Counselor, and Author, Phyllis Firak-Mitz., M.A. She offers her guidance and perspective on how current Astrological events can effect us collectively and individually. Her fresh approach always focuses on how we can use these changes to support and uplift ourselves.


Hello Everyone!

Another eclipse is forming this Monday, February 9th . This time it’s a Full Moon eclipse which signals something quite significant may be coming to coming to light in our personal and collective lives.

Full Moon Eclipses typically bring something to fruition that challenges us to strike a new balance between what can seem like 2 opposing forces. This particular eclipse highlights love and power. Many of us will be called to find new ways to express our love, creative expression, and personal will in ways that create more genuine connection with others.

Each of us will experience this eclipse according to our unique birth chart. The areas it most affects your Sun Sign are listed below.

Eclipses also heighten emotional/spiritual energies. This eclipse is a terrific time to interrupt old patterns and replace them with innovative new strategies. As we do this, the 6th-13th can seem quite “wobbly.” People can change their minds, relationships can push for something different, and issues in need of healing can surface.

A higher perspective is quite possible now. Importantly, I’d advise you to observe the beliefs and reactions that might be running your life. Deeply evaluate if what you hold to be true or take for granted reflects reality now. For many, Monday’s eclipse could trigger disillusionment… but that could lead to an even greater honesty and clarity inside yourself and with others.

Many of you might be amazed at how easy it is to forgive old hurts and judgments so you can move into a new, more creative future. That’s a great way to use any eclipse – especially this one.

Here’s the possible 2 areas Monday’s eclipse might call each Sun Sign to re-balance:

ARIES: Love life/kids and friends
TAURUS: Home/family and career matters
GEMINI: Ideas, contract, travel, education and legal/moral religious ideals
CANCER: Money/values and joint finances, sex/intimacy matters, death, taxes
LEO: Self, appearances and relationships
VIRGO: Unconscious beliefs and work, health, past issues
LIBRA: Friendships and love life/kids
SCORPIO: Career/authority and home/family matters
SAGITTARIUS: Religious, legal, moral ideals and contracts, travel, ideas
CAPRICORN: Money, values and joint finances/taxes/insurance, intimacy/sex
AQUARIUS: Self identity and relationships
PISCES: Beliefs, spiritual matters and work/health

Phyllis is the author of two excellent books on Astrology, 'You’re Every Sign!': Using Astrology’s Keys to Create Success, Love and Happiness; and, Astrology's Secret's to Hot Romance: How to Find True Compatibility and the One That’s Right For You.

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