by MarBeth Dunn | Sep 12, 2012 | Uncategorized
Is the common misunderstanding that money will increase your joy, keeping you stuck in a perpetual cycle of lack? People often tell me they would be happier if they had more money. Yet contrary to popular thought, money isn’t wealth. You are already 
wealthy in many ways. When you realize that, your energy around money will change. Money is just energy. It isn’t inherently good or bad, nor does it have magical powers. Here’s how you can enjoy the wealth you have right now and attract more into your life…
Define wealth – Your definition of wealth may have nothing to do with a surplus of money (it usually doesn’t). Wealth is whatever you value most and see as your highest priorities. For instance, if you have a close family and that’s very important to you, you have the wealth of family. Do you have a career you love and that’s important to you? That’s wealth. What you value and see as priorities are where you find joy and where your wealth is. Your house, travel, books, spirituality, relationships…the list could go on. It doesn’t matter how any of this compares to what other people have or don’t have. If you love, value and make these things in your life a priority, then they are your wealth.
Enjoy your wealth – It may sound cliché but when you are in a state of gratitude for what you have in your life today, it’s easier to attract more of what you want tomorrow. While it’s human nature to focus on what you don’t have, take a look around and, using the filter described above, determine whether you already have “wealth”. If what you have makes you joyful, and you have created a life that demonstrates your values and priorities, then celebrate! Assess your wealth and bask in it. Most people don’t want money for the sake of having money; they want it for the pleasurable experiences it can bring them. When you realize how much wealth you already have, you’ll begin to sense a deep level of gratitude that, ironically, will allow you to generate more financial wealth.
Attract and increase your financial wealth – Now that you’ve defined, and are enjoying your current wealth, let’s talk about how you can get more financial wealth to expand your experiences (notice I didn’t say “improve” because that’s not necessarily what needs to happen). To change your financial situation, tie money to whatever you value highly. Ask yourself how money could enhance it. For example, if you love to travel and are grateful for the travel opportunities you currently have, what would it be like to interweave more money into your traveling life? Would you go to different places, travel more extensively, or incorporate different activities into the travel experience?
Notice the difference? You’re not sad, or feeling lack. Instead, you are joyful and appreciative of the travel you already do and are wondering how more money could enhance your experience! Try this with each of the areas that you defined as having value and priority. By allowing joy and gratitude for your present “wealth” to expand, and exploring ways additional money would enhance it, you are raising the priority of money in your value system, and pulling more of it into your life. Money is just energy, neither positive or negative. It’s value lies in how it enhances what is truly important to you. As you recognize the benefits of incorporating money into your “wealth”, its value to you will increase, and your financial situation will improve.
Take a moment right now, to really see how abundantly wealthy you are in all the ways that matter to you and be joyful. Everything else will come from that.
© 2012 by MarBeth Dunn – all rights reserved
by MarBeth Dunn | Aug 18, 2012 | Uncategorized
Have you noticed over the last few years more people seeking their purpose, or a deeper meaning in their lives? As someone who lives by, and teaches on a platform of “connecting with your heart”, I personally want to jump up and down and shout, “Hooray!
It’s about time!” The single best thing you can do to live a life of authenticity and joy, is to live by your heart and make decisions on a soul level. You instinctively and intuitively know what you need to be happy and fulfilled. Additionally, your soul knows the gifts and talents you have that only you can provide as a blessing to others. So let’s get started with some strategies that will allow you to hear your soul speak and get you living in joy.
Get real – All the changes that have taken place in the world in the last several years have caused people to wonder who they really are. If you don’t have the job, the status, the money or the position, who exactly are you? It’s so easy, especially in Western society, to identify ourselves by our outside accomplishments, and never pay attention to who are on the inside. Is this you? Are you wondering, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” (although you’re already grown up) or realizing that you have new ideas about what’s important in life? This is the shift that’s going on and what you’re experiencing is your soul’s plea to pay attention and listen to what your spirit already knows and is trying to tell you: there’s a real you in there that wants to come out and that will lead you to the life you’ve always wanted to live.
Get quiet – Your soul is always trying to speak to you; it’s just so challenging with the to-do lists, appointments and ever present technology to hear it. Getting into your heart space is key to living a life that makes your soul sing, so find a way to get quiet enough to hear your inner wisdom. Meditation is a great way to connect with your soul and people who meditate regularly have a better sense of inner guidance and are able to make decisions aligned with their core beliefs and values more quickly and easily. That’s when you’ll find that you are living a life that constantly moves in the direction of your most authentic self-expression. When you are authentically expressing who you are, not just in words but in experiences, you will know deep joy.
Get vibrating (on a higher level) – when you vibrate at a higher level, not only is life easier and things seem to conspire in your favor, you also ask better questions, which gets you better answers. You’re at your most powerful when you’re connected to Source and a higher vibration provides that. Gratitude, forgiveness, releasing hurt and anxiety all help you attain a state of appreciation, which raises your vibration level and that makes it easier to hear what your soul has to say. Simple acts such as dancing or spending time in nature also increase your vibration. Once you are vibrating at a higher level, it’s easier to ask the deep questions and get the answers you’re looking for.
Soulful living creates harmony, not just for your life but in the lives of others. When you know your soul’s desires, you’ll better understand how to engage with the world around you, generating move love, peace and harmony in your life and in others. Start some soulful living today!
© 2012 MarBeth Dunn all rights reserved
by MarBeth Dunn | Aug 12, 2012 | Uncategorized
As The Joy Strategist, I’m passionate about helping other people find and bring joy into their lives. I know the difference between living a life that is “fine” and one that is truly joy filled, and its my greatest desire for everyone to realize joy in their lives. Since I love spending time with people who radiate joy, I’ve noticed there is a common theme that runs through their lives… they pro-actively bring joy into the lives of other people. Since we are all connected in one way or another, infusing someone else’s life with joy doesn’t just affect that person, it creates a ripple effect, affecting a continuum of people. Think of it as the six degrees of joy connectedness! If you’ve been wondering lately what you can do to make a difference in the world, being a joy catalyst for someone else might be just the thing you’ve been looking for.
Here’s how to accomplish that goal:
Serve others – It’s been proven that the happiest and most fulfilled people are people who have learned how to serve and be of
service to others. We were truly designed to be in community and nothing will accomplish this more than helping your fellow mankind. Serving others also broadens your horizon to the greater issues going on around you and takes your mind off of yourself. Yes, you may have legitimate problems in your life but serving the proverbial man with no feet will make you think twice about you feeling down because you have no shoes. Our egos are designed to be self-centric and it can become far too easy to get a case of “poor me”. When you are serving and bringing joy to others, you’ll begin to bring more joy into your own life. Studies have shown that people who feel useful and as if they are contributing to the greater societal good, are happier.
Watch your words – Although we love to teach children that “sticks and stone may break my bones but you’ll words will never hurt me”, this unfortunately, just isn’t true. Words can be very hurtful and have a long reaching impact. We know that thoughts become things and although you can’t create someone else’s reality, your words can plant seeds that enable another person to nurture to life what you’ve said. To understand just how powerful someone else’s words are, think of something you heard over and over again in your own childhood and see how that has had a bearing on your life. Words really do matter. To bring joy to others, be very intentional about the words you are using. Be conscious of what you are saying and how you are saying it. Your words can make the difference in someone else’s day and you never know when your words might be a significant pivotal moment in someone’s life. Speak kindly, speak positively and be a “joy bringer” with your words.
Make ‘em laugh – They don’t say laughter is the best medicine for nothing. Scientific studies have proven that laughter lowers stress levels and improves the immune system. It also brings people together. If people frequently tell you that you’re witty or funny, unleash the power! People love to laugh and they love to be around people who make them laugh. If you don’t think you have the comedic gene, that’s okay. Seek out books, movies, video clips and even people you know who are funny and share the wealth. One of the best things about living in the virtual age is that there is no shortage of humorous material if you go looking for it. A quick internet search will get you plenty of material that you can incorporate into your life and the lives of others.
Knowing that you’ve brought joy into other people’s lives is one of the things that will make you feel truly alive and affirm that you are here for a reason. You can’t help but increase your own joy and satisfaction in life when you commit to being “the happy” in the lives of others. There’s a lot of joy out there waiting for you to deliver it so take a deep breath and start your joy journey!
© 2012 by MarBeth Dunn – all rights reserved
by MarBeth Dunn | Jul 28, 2012 | Uncategorized
I teach a lot about living in your “heart space” because it’s truly the best way to live. When we live in our heart space, we come out of our heads and begin to feel what it is we feel, rather than think everything through. Whereas our brains want to categorize and tell us whether what we are feeling is either right or wrong, good or bad, our heart knows our deeper truths. And, although living in your heart space isn’t always easy, it does make relationships easier, richer and more fulfilling. Whether platonic or romantic, all relationships are better when the people involved are authentic and full of love. Here are just a few things you will experience when you are in this kind of heart space relationship:
You’ll know when it’s right – one of the benefits of living in your heart space is that you’ll be able to tell when a relationship is right for you because you will feel it. Since you are coming from a place of authenticity and love, you are open to receiving the same in return. As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, we attract according to the vibration we are radiating and truly living in your heart space is a high vibrational place to be. You’ll know on a deep level when you are in a relationship that is good for you and you’ll also have the courage to walk away from those that don’t serve your highest good. Your head can rationalize things until you are confused, but your heart will never lead you astray.
You’re free to speak your truth – a relationship between two people who are operating from their heart spaces will provide a deep security and trust that enables each person to speak and live their truth. Living in truth becomes the standard so that judgment is suspended; creating a space where needs to be said can be expressed, without fear of recrimination from the other person. Feelings, thoughts and opinions are respected and embraced since the heart knows nothing but love and acceptance. Sentiments are shared in kind and thoughtful ways when a relationship involves people who are living in their heart space.
You don’t lose yourself – In any relationship, it can be easy to lose yourself as you begin to bond your life with another person. As romantic as, “I don’t know where you end and I start” can sound, the reality is, healthy relationships are made up of two people who are complete in themselves. Approaching relationships from that deep place of heart love will help ensure that you draw appropriate boundaries… boundaries that are important to you. When you know, love and respect yourself, other people sense this and will treat you accordingly. There is always the freedom to do and be exactly who you are, and individuality is cherished for how it enhances the relationship.
Living in your heart space gives you a sense of strength and surety because you are deeply in tune with who you are and the very essence of your being in the most genuine way possible. When you are sure of you, love flows freely, and you feel worthy to be loved in return. It’s from the infinite space of the heart that meaningful and magical relationships manifest and bloom.
© 2012 MarBeth Dunn all rights reserved
by MarBeth Dunn | Jun 23, 2012 | Uncategorized
I know something about living in joy. After all, I am the “Joy Strategist”! One thing I know for certain is that every day brings the opportunity to live joyfully. Circumstances change, the wheel of fortune turns,
what is today may not be tomorrow. But to live joyfully is something we can choose today, every day, regardless of what’s going on around us. I hope you embrace these suggestions to live a most joyous life!
Be intentional – In the hustle and bustle of everyday life it can be challenging to truly live, let alone live with joy. It can be done; however, you must be intentional about it. There is so much joy we take for granted simply because we are too busy to notice it. Some of the biggest sources of joy are nature itself. Sunrises and sunsets, colorful foliage, a soft breeze or a silky night with bright stars are all joyous and a reason to celebrate, yet we don’t celebrate these enough because we don’t see them. When you are intentional about joyful living, you begin to see things you never noticed before and you start celebrating things you previously hadn’t. Joy is all around us if we take enough time to really see the world we live in instead of just rushing through it.
Our emotional state is ours to manage – You may have heard the adage, “It’s not good, it’s not bad, it just is,” and allowing this to be a guiding mantra through your life will increase your chances of experiencing joy. Situations and occurrences are by their very nature, just things that happen. It’s our human need to label what happens to us as good or bad, and this labeling is usually what produces feelings that aren’t always quite so joyful. When we manage our emotional state, we decide to live from the inside out rather than the outside in. In other words, what happens to you is less important that what is happening through you. Choosing to embrace all that is going on and seeing it objectively, helps you to live in a more joyful state. In addition to eliminating a victim mentality, managing your emotions will help you to see that change is always occurring. Determining whether or not to be joyful based on current events is going to be a bumpy ride at best. Your emotions are the one thing that you can always control, if you choose to do so.
Time is the only currency that matters – Of all the things we strive for, time is the one thing that we are never able to buy or negotiate more of. We also can’t coerce or convince it to do our bidding. Time marches on and once it’s gone it’s gone. People who live joyfully seem to be incredibly clear about this concept, do not take time for granted and make distinct choices on a daily basis about how they want to spend their time. Not surprisingly, the most joyful people are the people who make sure that they spend a great deal of time with the people they love and/or doing activities they love. Joyful people instinctively know that relationships and experiences are what bring a fullness to life and that fullness is what ultimately brings joy.
If you’ve ever struggled with feeling like you should be “happier”, take a look at these three things and ask yourself how you are doing in each of these areas. Happiness is usually achieved as a result of something external. Joy, and certainly true joy, comes from within and can be accessed and experienced deeply and fully every single day.
Here’s to your Joy Strategies!
