joy-425

Another session of The Next Chapter starts today and this time the journey is through The Joy Diet: 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life. If you’d like to join in or find out more, click here.

I’m really excited to be embarking on this adventure with joy. The ingredients in this diet are so delicious: laughter, desire, connection, treats, creativity. Seriously, what’s not to love? Well, perhaps the very first ingredient is the one that’s going to be the most challenging for me personally: nothing. Martha invites us to give ourselves time each day to literally experience “nothing.” With my intense passion and crazy schedule, this is something I rarely do. I’m looking forward to a structure to help me develop the practice of nothing this week.

And today I’m just excited to celebrate the beginning, to wave hello to new faces and old friends. Connecting is one of the best parts of this process. It’s a joy to know that today we are all new to this particular journey and by the last day we’ll know ourselves and each other in a brand new way, we’ll have shared experiences and have memories to treasure and have learning and growth to celebrate.

Beginnings rock!

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{ 8 trackbacks }

The Next Chapter: The Joy Diet « Sweet Soliloquies
09.18.09 at 2:12 am
The Joy Diet :: My Simpler Life – Simple Living
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I Love Treats :: My Simpler Life – Simple Living
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What Makes You Laugh? :: My Simpler Life – Simple Living
11.14.09 at 9:43 pm
Connection :: My Simpler Life – Simple Living
11.23.09 at 9:51 am

{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }

Suzie the Foodie 09.18.09 at 7:06 am

Oh I so wish I could participate in this one Jamie! But with Dad coming for a visit and me going to Toronto and hubby coming home…I think I have enough joy with family to make up for missing out on this month’s book club. Still makes me sad though although I am so happy I will be seeing you soon!

Jenn 09.18.09 at 7:33 am

yay! i’m so excited!

Lisa 09.18.09 at 8:37 am

The vision board is a great idea! I’m looking forward to really learning something with this book, though having more trouble than I thought just doing ‘nothing’ - there’s an awful lot of radio interference!!

jane 09.18.09 at 9:21 am

I’m really excited to start this! Having just listened to “Finding your North Star upon your reccomendation, I’m a Martha fan now!

Happy Friday!

Karley 09.18.09 at 9:37 am

I am very excited to be part of another one of your book clubs. I learned so much from The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women and know that this new choice truly will help me as I embark on a new chapter in my life.

I look forward to coming back next week to learn about your week of “nothing.”

sherry 09.18.09 at 9:37 am

The vision board is something that really sparked my interest. Having something concrete and visual to refer to make the experience that much richer!

Kathryn - Collage Diva 09.18.09 at 9:52 am

I’m definitely jumping for *JOY* as we begin this journey together. The 12 Secrets was a great experience. I’m waving back at ya!

LaWendula 09.18.09 at 10:53 am

Dear Jamie, so glad, you are our host again in this thing. I love your messages of just do it as one feel it’s JOYful and right for us. No rights, no wrongs, no rules, only to try to move into the realms of nothing first…
I know we all will have a good time! The idea with the cards is great!
Greetings from Germany, LaWendula

Snap 09.18.09 at 11:37 am

Jamie,
Thanks again for picking another interesting book. It’s journey with Jamie time again!

Arlene / Spirit Essence Art 09.18.09 at 11:51 am

I am so looking forward to this group, Jamie! It is at the right time for me and I just know I will learn so much more about myself and what brings me joy! Thanks for hosting this - your bubbly, joyful self is something I look forward to each week, as well as meeting other creative bloggers who will be sharing this journey! Lots of hugs to you.

Lisa 09.18.09 at 11:51 am

Looking forward to this splendid adventure with you!!! :) And yay, another excuse to do some collaging… you’re brilliant!

The Other Laura 09.18.09 at 12:40 pm

Jamie, I’ve really been looking forward to this - and I love the idea of doing a vision card for each week!

Kim 09.18.09 at 1:52 pm

I’ve been anxiously awaiting the beginning of this new book!! Your joyful spirit seems the perfect host for this particular journey! Now I’m off to do - nothing :)

Miss Becky 09.18.09 at 2:08 pm

oh, the day we begin our journey together has arrived! my copy of The Joy Diet arrived in the mail a week ago and it has been waiting by my bedside for me to turn the pages. now we begin…

Jeanette 09.18.09 at 2:50 pm

I’m so very excited to begin this journey. Thank you so very much for inviting me to participate!

Karen D 09.18.09 at 3:15 pm

Looking forward to “dieting” with everyone. I love the vision board idea!
Have fun doing nothing this week.

Sacred Discovery 09.18.09 at 3:16 pm

Yay, and we’re off! I’m thrilled to be part of this group again and to share this journey with you and all the other bloggers. And I too love the idea of making a vision card for every item on the menu!

KnittingJourneyman 09.18.09 at 3:19 pm

I so cannot wait to see where we all go on this journey!
Thank you so much for hosting this, Jamie!

Kate Robertson 09.18.09 at 4:40 pm

I love the idea of the mini vision board. I don’t have any large index cards but maybe I will just cut some card stock as a base and go for it. Thanks for picking such a fun book. You’re the best!

Kate

Beverley Baird 09.18.09 at 6:07 pm

I am so looking forward to this journey with everyone. Thanks Jamie for choosing such an interesting book!.

Bohemian mom 09.18.09 at 9:38 pm

eeeeeeeekkkkkkk!!!!
I still have to get the book !!!!
I’m on it - can’t wait!!!
:)

Jenni 09.18.09 at 11:45 pm

Thank you for suggesting this neat little book. And for bringing together a wonderful group of folks. I’m so enjoying visiting everyone’s blogs. This is a real gift - that you have & seed & we all grow together… mwah!

Serena 09.19.09 at 12:41 am

I love your vision card idea for each week. I’ll pick some up when I’m out today. :) I’m just so happy to be sharing in another book blog journey with you, Jamie….you are a wonderful host!

I think I will manage week one okay as I already take 15 minutes each day for my morning meditation. I will place the joy journey as my meditation focus this week.

Love, light and peace,
Serena

Ginny 09.19.09 at 8:22 am

I love being part of the book club and I think that reading The Joy DIet is just what I need right now. Thank you for all the joy that you bring to so many.

Rebekah 09.19.09 at 8:42 am

Yes, beginnings do rock! :) And who doesn’t want to add joy to their life? This seems like it’s going to be a blast!

Fiona 09.19.09 at 9:29 am

I love the card making - what a great way to create structures that keep the work alive for a long time to come. And just making my first card let in a little more joy!

Silky Hart 09.19.09 at 1:48 pm

At last I have a blog, even if its temorary, to particpate this time! The topic is definitely one I have a passion for…JOY!!!

Grammy 09.20.09 at 3:31 am

Just stopped by to say Hi! I look forward to our new adventure into Joy. Have a great week.

Melba 09.21.09 at 7:32 am

Read the first chapter of the joy diet and loved it! works perfect with my morning meditation. I can’t wait to make my joy card and post it…soon. I had a busy weekend but I am definately going to carve out some time this week to stay connected. Thanks for your Constant inspiration!

Fatma 09.21.09 at 11:53 am

Hey Jamie! Looking forward to creating memories to treasure. I so love being a part of this group.

becky nielsen 09.21.09 at 12:56 pm

OK, I”m off to get the book - am not waiting any longer for it to arrive. I’m sure I’ll have people that I’ll want to give it to later.

And I’m happy to start with nothing. I keep falling off that wagon, but it doesn’t take much to get me back on, because I do love that place.

the idea of the vision card is wonderful -

I’m really happy to be part of this.

Valli 09.22.09 at 5:23 pm

I’m so looking forward to sharing joy with you and all of the others. Of course I have oodles of journals but I just love your idea about the large index cards to make vision cards. I’m having so much fun with this idea. I’m enjoying this so much. Take care and have a silent and creative week. :)

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