Author: jeff noel

Retired Disney Institute Keynote Speaker and Prolific Blogger. Five daily, differently-themed personal blogs (about life's 5 big choices) on five interconnected sites.

December Dedicated to Joy

November was dedicated to Thankfulness, and now December is dedicated, mostly, to Joy.

There are several types of Joy.

There’s Joy in your Spirit, in knowing you have a Creator that loves you beyond measure.

Joy in daily living, perhaps the “fun factor”, sort of like happiness, and laughter.

And also Joy in being unselfish, in serving others.

Finally, I believe there is Joy in knowing you are living your best life, with a moral integrity that leaves you humbled by what you’ve overcome.

It’s a Joy, to dedicate December to the concept  of Joy.  You may have a different perspective on Joy.  The fact that we are free to express, and think for, ourselves should bring us Joy.

One thing for sure, I’m especially thankful for Mid Life Joy!  🙂

Balance Deconstructed

Mind.  Body.  Spirit.  Money.  Otherwise known as Balance. This is the second of two posts today. A double shot!

Do you know anyone who epitomizes work-life balance?  I do not.  So I took matters into my own hands and came up with a life-changing model.  It’s ridiculously simple.

MIND – Mental Health, Learning, Attitude

BODY – Physical Health & Wellness

SPIRIT – Spiritual Health; Faith, Hope & Love

MONEY – Financial Health; Job, Career, our contribution to society

I’ve literally spent a lifetime searching for the secret recipe for balance. Since becoming a Father nine years ago, this is the one I’m convinced is the key to transforming my life.

Focus on Life’s Big Four.  Hey, I’m not a scientist or a genius, just a common man who looks at things differently and likes to keep it simple.

Midlife Shakespeare

“What’s past is prologue.” – Shakespeare

What’s past is simply what got us to where we are today. I’m thankful for that.

What’s here and now, is what will be past tomorrow. I’m thankful for that too.

What lies in the future is the choice we get to make. Our story is being written one day, one moment at a time.

To be or not to be, I mean, to be thankful or not to be thankful, that is the question.

And starting tomorrow, December’s question is, “Am I joyful and do I spread joy?”

Single Most Important Tip

Things you can do to prepare for a Mid Life Crisis, before it happens.  Click here to read the article from Everyday Health.

However, here’s the single most important tip you will ever get from anyone about preparing for your midlife crisis or, as I like to say, your mid life celebration.

Focus on Life’s Big four:

MIND

BODY

SPIRIT

MONEY

And by focus, I mean proactively, in advance, as best you possibly can. This will keep you ever mindful of that elusive concept called “Balance”.

More on this later, maybe as soon as tomorrow.

Thankful Midlife Parent

Are you a thankful midlife parent, or maybe thankful midlife grandparent? Gauran-dang-tee I am.

Most married couples think parenting is an entitlement.  Cheryl and I can tell you first hand it doesn’t work that way for all couples.

So, being a mid life Dad makes me thankful beyond any mortal effort to describe it.  Seriously.

But I’ll try.  Here goes.  This is simply a typical revelation, in the journey my son and I have each day. It’s something I’ve been sharing and teaching him with unwavering commitment.

“Once you learn to be honest, it is no longer something to fear. Once you don’t tell the truth, it becomes easier to do it again.”

Honesty builds trust.  Trust reinforces honesty.  And honesty becomes a habit. Simple, but not easy.