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!

getupgirl.org | Follow us on Twitter | Become a Facebook Fan | Margalit Ward on Twitter

Do It! Create a Powerful Intent

Best selling Author, Debbie Ford writes about setting intention in her book The Best Year of Your Life. Ford believes that simply setting the powerful intent to create "the best year of my life" is the first step in creating it as such:

Take at least three minutes at the beginning and end of each day to close your eyes and affirm, "This is the best year of my life." Remind yourself of this intent by posting visual reminders - such as notes and signs - in every room of your home and office. You can send e-mail messages to yourself each day, or attach a note to your phone so that every time you use it you will be reminded to take a moment to recommit to your intent. Make it know to the people who matter most to you that you are choosing to make this a year that surpasses all others.

Ready, set, intention!

getupgirl.org