Your Why
What is your why? What brought you here? How did it feel to type Lean Towards Joy into your web browser. Did you feel resistance or excitement? My desire is not to push you, but to inspire you.
Many degree and certificate programs do an excellent job providing you a wealth of information about your specific vocation. Some include internships or require many hours before licensure. These are valuable opportunities to hone your craft. However, most of these programs do not provide you the tools you need to start your own private practice.
There are many reasons to go into private practice. It provides financial support, time flexibility, and freedom to practice your style. Some may want to do it full-time and others may just want to do it part-time. Your future clients are waiting, whichever you decide. And to these clients you will be a beacon of light. You will be a reassuring presence in their lives. It is an awesome shift to make!
But what if you don’t have someone to help you with the transition? I would like to be a reassuring presence to support and guide you. You have come so far in your journey. Whether you are starting a new business or growing an existing one, I am elated to help you shine your light!
My Why
Lean towards joy. It seems like an easy concept, doesn’t it? So why is it that I needed to name my company after that concept? It’s simple really. I wanted to honor my path. It took me 34 years to finally remember that deep seated trust in the Universe. I say remember because we are all born with the innate knowledge that there is joy in our creativity and expansion. We have not yet absorbed the limiting thoughts of the well-meaning adults in our lives. As children, we are heartfelt beings not yet discouraged by fear and anxiety. If you need validation of this, watch a child’s joy and elation as they interact with their surroundings. I am so fortunate to witness my 18 month old son discover the world around him! His (and all children’s) perception is inspiring. Children show up to each situation with a genuine curiosity rooted in joy and love.
Most adults put the “cart in front of the horse.” We say, “We will have joy once we have _______” (fill in the blank). But life doesn’t work that way; it is not meant to be a struggle. It took me a long time to change my belief in that. You know the routine: go to school, get a good job, have just a few weeks off a year to do what you actually enjoy doing. After years of doing what was expected of me, doing what was considered “safe”, I was not where I thought I would be. Rather than be discouraged by my realization, I decided to show up differently. I tapped into that inner voice telling me to lean towards joy and let the rest fall into place. I decided to use all the resources and knowledge I had gained throughout my life to help others do the same.I heard a quote several years ago that has stayed with me ever since. In June of 2005 Steve Jobs gave a commencement address at Stanford. (Look it up and watch the full address it is pretty powerful.) The quote is this:
For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘no’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
I am now just realizing the synchronicity in this quote. Because as I write this page, I am 33 years old on the eve of my 34th birthday. It is the same day that I said goodbye to the career I held for over 18 years. It is the same day that I opened the doors to the next chapter in my life – the chapter where I listen to my heart before making a decision, where I tap into my emotions to see how right or wrong something seems, and where I look inward for validation. I am leaning towards joy! I am following my passion! And I am shining my light!
