The Path to Joy

Today's episode is exactly as advertised. For once -- no rambling, no random stories. Proving that, despite the last 270 episodes of this podcast, I can actually stay on topic for 8 minutes! If you are looking for a guided meditation to help you get your 'hands off the wheel,' this is it!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives --...

In today's episode I share a bit about the mother/daughter retreat I hosted in September -- namely to share some 'visuals' that the girls created during the retreat. Friends, you will absolutely love them!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you o...

Today's episode is about making decisions. Imagine two doors in front of you -- wouldn't it be so great if you just knew, with absolute certainty, which door you should go through? You'd never make a poor decision again! Annnnd, you'd also not be human. So, today, let's talk about deciding between those two doors.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their p...

I don't love getting advice -- I don't even like self-help (Yes, this may be the most ironic statement I've ever written!). And I happen to think most people the same way. We pretty much want someone to listen and share space with us but, advice, not so much. So, today, let's chat 'advice!'   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives...

Today, I share a couple great questions I recently received in advance of a JOY SCHOOL call. The questions were so good, I just had to share!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.lif...

Today's episode is about how to actually talk yourself off the ledge. The metaphorical ledge, of course! Recently, I found myself very anxious, holding my breath -- I needed to start talking to myself to breathe and calm down. Here's how I did it!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, e...

What can I say?? Bowling is life! Well, maybe not, but it is a big part of our lives here in Pennsylvania. Today I share stories from a recent bowling tournament I attended and some lessons in what happens when you just let yourself enjoy the ride.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides,...

Yes, I think we can all agree that 'comparison is the thief of joy.' But, we somehow make an exception for comparison to our past selves. And we are usually not focused on the myriad of ways in which we are now 'winning.' So, today, let's talk about our self-comparison habit!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find mor...

Can we talk about an alternate reality for a moment? I know we primarily live in a very pragmatic reality where there's laundry to do and toilets to clean and money is a limited resource. I often live there too. But there's an alternate reality that we occasionally step into that doesn't feel like chores and lists and sensible choices. So, today, let's chat about that alternate reality!   Thanks s...

Do you feel any of that 'fall energy' around? Whether you have kids going back to school or not, fall can feel a bit more hectic, like it's time to 'kick it into high gear' after chillin' all summer. And I can feel myself rebelling against the new, quicker pace.     Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All...

Well, it's official! I now I have three children in high school! How is that possible? Today's episode is all about the first day. Kind of sad but talking about it definitely helps!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can...

Do you ever notice that your body has this 'premonition' feeling before your mind attaches to a worry? It's fascinating. It's almost like we feel the worry before we think it. Sometimes, I find I will forget what I was worried about but my body doesn't forget. Today, let's chat about worry, magnetic thoughts, and how to get out of the spiral.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people c...

Well, yes, this episode is about my 46th year around the sun! It was a very low-key, simple, and perfect day. What I want for my 'perfect day' has changed as I've gotten older. I'm trading 'stuff' for 'time!'    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help y...

Today's episode highlights another big milestone -- a marker of time -- Ben's 18th birthday! Aaaaaaah! It seems impossible because, in many ways, I'm still in my twenties trying to figure life out.    It all goes so fast, doesn't it?? All we can do is hold on tight and enjoy the ride!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka...

I'm not sure how two somewhat Type A parents had such a laid back, go-with-the-flow child, but I did! And sometimes I wonder what it would feel like to completely go-with-the-flow!    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can...

Today's episode is about a push against perfectionism -- a suggestion that 'good enough' is great! Editing, fixing, tinkering until something is perfect can be enjoyable but it holds us back too. Sometimes we just have to say, 'Yep, not perfect, but good enough!'   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All...

Today's episode is about being honest with yourself. We all have hopes/dreams that make us feel a bit 'wobbly' -- that, if we are honest, we don't really believe will happen. It's hard to tap into the energy of 'I can do it!' when a part of you doesn't really believe that. So, let's talk about how to put aside bravado and and just be real.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people chan...

I do love my morning coffee but, no, today's episode is not simply an homage to coffee. Our coffee pot kicked the bucket today. Don't worry -- I'll be OK! But the loss did help me get into 'appreciation mode!'   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help y...

I'm not going to go into an exhaustive list about everything I love about getting older -- I'll spare you! But, one of the aspects of getting older that I really love (and had to share with you today) is that it's pretty tough to get my feathers ruffled.    It's good to be 'unruffleable' (definitely not a word so don't go spreading that one around, friends!).   Thanks so much for listening! I love...

Well, after a whirlwind two weeks, we are headed home! And I'm so happy! If you are a homebody, I know you feel me. I love traveling and I LOVE going home!    Today's episode is a 'coda' to a wonderful (and very tiring) trip.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information...

The adventure continues! Today's episode begins in Kyoto -- which is so beautiful. It was perhaps too hot for us to experience all of the beauty but we got glimpses! And the quiet part -- that was in an incredible bamboo forest -- unlike anything I've seen before!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All...

We are a few days in to our Japan trip -- so, today, I share some reflections from the first week of the trip. And, spoiler alert, if you listened to Tuesday's episode, I really didn't have to worry. Of course I didn't!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that...

The next two weeks we are in Japan! Today begins our grand adventure. I have a few worries -- small ones. I know I should be overjoyed that this trip I've been planning for a year is finally here. And I am. But... my worries remain -- coexisting with my excitement.    I'm taking you on this trip with me -- and it's time to takeoff!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and...

Today's episode is all about, well, staring at a blank page. As you know, I am a big fan of writing -- getting over the fear of what am I going to write?? allows for greater freedom and creativity!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your j...

Today I share a short excerpt from my friend Mary Crimmins email about 'today!' AND a day that changed things for me. What if you could start fresh -- begin today? As Mary says, no need to wait for "a crisis or a calendar flip."    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and informa...