Penny Casselman [00:00:08]:
Welcome to the Pivot with Passion podcast. Hi. I'm Penny Casselman. I believe everyone is deserving of a phenomenal life, and that life starts when you grab a red marker and claim what you truly desire. Regardless of where you came from, where you're at, or where you think you're headed. Life is what you make of it. And when you learn to pivot with passion, your world explodes with opportunities. Go grab your favorite beverage, and let's shake things up as we Lore, how to pivot with passion.
Penny Casselman [00:00:46]:
Hello, my sweet friend. How are you? I'm so glad you're joining me today. And if you happen to be in the United States, happy Valentine's Day. Now I realize that some people may not have a Valentine. Some people may pooh pooh this holiday, but know this. I am holding you near to my heart today for joining me once again to dive in and pivot with passion. And what an appropriate name for, a podcast on a day of love. I'm doing things a little bit with this episode.
Penny Casselman [00:01:23]:
I'm going to share 17 different ways that I've found to spark joy in my own life in the hopes that one of these might pique your interest, resonate with you, and help you find a few moments of joy in your day to day. And here's how I want you to absorb this episode. Just let the ideas wash over you, and then let your subconscious noodle on which ones sound the most inviting. I've also made a handout that you can download. It'll be in the show notes. That way, you can just relax and enjoy our conversation. Now I realize I might get a little pushback because as we all know, we're all busy. We seem to believe we can do more in a day than is actually possible.
Penny Casselman [00:02:15]:
I mean, think about it. When's the last time that you got everything done on your to do list that you set out with in the morning. I get it. I promise that each one of these items that I'll share with you can be done in 10 minutes or less. Simply carve 10 minutes out of your day to try one of them out. You might be surprised the boost of energy you will feel after you complete 1. And lastly, before I dive in, I realize not every activity may resonate with you, and that is not a problem, my friend. Just skip over them.
Penny Casselman [00:02:54]:
And it's okay if you think, Penny, you are crazy if you think that sparks joy because I might agree with you that, yes, I'm crazy at times. So with that, here is the list of 17 things I've done that spark joy in my life. 1, create a 3 song playlist of tunes that light you up and make you smile, then press play. Let me say, my friend, that this past year, My 3 song playlist may have included something from Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, N Pink. Yes. I am absolutely a pop music junkie. Okay. Number 2, stand up and move your body.
Penny Casselman [00:03:42]:
Dance, stretch, wiggle, whatever. So for me, every night before I go to bed, a stretch. I certainly would be dancing if I played my 3 song playlist, and oftentimes, I did that during the day just to get me standing. Number 3, call a friend just to say hi. And you need to use your voice. Text messages don't count. Emails don't count. It's got to be an actual voice call.
Penny Casselman [00:04:12]:
You will probably surprise your friend. They might even think, what the hell is wrong? But how joyful if they pick up and you just tell them you were thinking about them. Yeah. Love that. Number 4, make a donation to your favorite charitable organization. Too often if we are lacking joy, sometimes the quickest way out of that is to help someone else. And so making a donation to your favorite charitable organization. If you lack the time or the talents to help your favorite organization.
Penny Casselman [00:04:47]:
Donation is certainly in line with giving you joy in helping others. Number 5, buy yourself a bouquet of fresh flowers. The 1st time I heard this suggestion, I thought it seemed a little corny. If you are fortunate enough to live by a Trader Joe's, they make it very easy to treat yourself to a bouquet of fresh flowers. They are always changing. They are always delightful, and they are very budget friendly, and it just brightens up your space. Number 6, start or end your day with meditation. Number 7, mail someone a greeting card inscribed with a handwritten note just because.
Penny Casselman [00:05:29]:
I think this is one of my favorite things to do. Because in the moment that I'm writing a message inside a card, I know that, one, they will be surprised to get it. It's coming in the mail, which, let's be honest, most things that come in the mail are junk or solicitations for donations or bills. And in those few moments that I'm writing a personal message, it fills me with joy to think about that person and express gratitude for having them in my life. Number 8, get the ingredients for your favorite craft cocktail and schedule a night to shake, pour, and sip your masterpiece. I can get behind this one at least on a weekly basis. Not only is it fun to gather the ingredients, shake and pour a drink, it's also really tasty. It's time for a clarity cocktail.
Penny Casselman [00:06:37]:
Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity, but in doing it. Greg Anderson. What I appreciate about this quote is the simplicity and perhaps something that we might overlook, and that is joy is not found when you finish an activity. Joy is generated in doing the activity. And so that's why it is so important for us to find just 10 minutes a day to carve out some dedicated time defined joy in something we do. Because if we think joy is coming at the end of us finishing something, we will never achieve it. Finding a way to incorporate joy into your everyday is a journey because it is so easy.
Penny Casselman [00:07:33]:
I know for me, when I look at my to do list, I can justify that I cannot have joy in my day because I have all these things to do. And then I need to remind myself, is that the kind of life I wanna live? A life devoid of most joy in favor of getting a check mark on a to do list. That's why in this episode. I've tried to carve out things that may bring you joy, and they can be done in 10 minutes or less a day. And in those 10 minutes, It's my hope that you will find joy in doing them because like this quote says, we need to focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity, but in doing it. Greg Anderson. And now back to the episode.
Penny Casselman [00:08:26]:
Cheers. Jumping back into our list of 17 things, we are now at number 9. Search YouTube and watch videos of cute kittens, puppies, baby goats, any animal you find adorable, snugly, and makes you smile. Aw. Lately, I have found myself obsessed with watching other people Paint watercolors. Even though I'm not actively doing watercolors right now, watching someone else create a beautiful image, one, fills me with hope. It makes me smile and also makes me believe I can do it too. So it doesn't always have to be cute kittens or animals.
Penny Casselman [00:09:10]:
Okay. Ten. Assemble the ingredients for your favorite meal and schedule a night to prepare and savor your culinary achievement. I don't know about you, but I am not a person who enjoys cooking or baking. However, there are occasions where I'll see a recipe that looks so tempting that I will bookmark it and entertain making it at some point in the future. Number 11, lace up your shoes and go for a walk outside. I have to admit, I am a fair weather walker. I have to dig deep if it's raining out to take a walk.
Penny Casselman [00:09:53]:
So more often than not, I would not pick number 11 on a bad weather day. However, it's always an option. And if you Google this, statistics will show that even taking a 1 minute walk. Like, let that sink in. 1 minute walk has benefits to your body, your mental health, and digestion. Jumping off my soapbox, on to number 12, make a list of things that bring you joy. I realize that these 17 that I'm putting out there for you to consider, maybe half will miss the mark for you. But I bet if you took 10 minutes, set a timer on your phone, and start writing things down, you will have a list specific to you that you can call on when you need it.
Penny Casselman [00:10:47]:
Number 13, pick 1 item from above, number 12, and schedule time to make it a reality. So of that list that you made of items that bring you joy, take 10 minutes out of your day and schedule a future date with yourself to make it happen. Okay. Before I dive into 14, I have to tell you, I'm obsessed with organization and donation. So here's 14. Go to your dresser and pull out all socks, underwear, or bras that have a hole and throw them out. My friend. It is time to say goodbye.
Penny Casselman [00:11:28]:
Whether you subscribe to Marie Kondo or not, it is such a weight off your shoulders to release items that aren't working for you anymore. Number 15, add time to your morning shower and just relax in the steaming warmth. Number 16, follow me on Instagram to get a boost of positivity and, oh, yeah, there's pretty pictures too. And lastly, but not least, 17. Write down what your ideal day would look like if your only focus was doing things that bring you joy. We often focus on all the shoulds. I should do this. I should do that.
Penny Casselman [00:12:15]:
And there is no bigger killer of joy than to just sit and be surrounded by all the shoulds your day. So take 10 minutes. And what would your life look like if your only focus that day was to do things that bring you joy, and then maybe move forward trying to incorporate a few more of those things in your everyday. My friend. As you are listening, did you think of any activities that you routinely do that bring you joy? I would love to hear what they are. I would love to find new ways to incorporate joy in my life, and the fastest way to grow your joy is to share it with others. Email me and let me know what those are. My challenge to you, my friend, is to commit doing just one of these actions per day.
Penny Casselman [00:13:04]:
Once you recognize which one of the activities brings you the greatest level of joy, then make it a habit because consistency, my friend, far outweighs intensity, and that is no more evident than how many people start the year off with resolutions only to abandon them by February. So it's consistent action, not intense action. And my friend, finding joy is a habit that will serve you long after this episode concludes. As I mentioned at the top of the episode, my friend, hop over to the show notes, get a copy of these 17 items, and start thinking about which ones would spark the most joy in your life because right now, it's time for action. Friend, thanks for listening to this episode of Pivot with Passion. If you've been feeling stuck, exhausted, or frustrated, this is your permission slip to go grab a red marker and claim the life you desire and deserve. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, and then hop over to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts because my goal is to put a red marker in everyone's Hand, and I need your help to spread the word and make that happen. Until the next episode, go grab a red marker.
Penny Casselman [00:14:39]:
Get excited for your future and make your 1st move to pivot with passion.
