Choosing Gratitude Is The Key To Finding Joy During Difficult Times Says Louise Pistole, Best Selling Author Of Discover Your Joy

Pistole’s bestselling book, Discover Your Joy, also received Honorable Mention in the San Francisco Book Festival and placed in the BookFest Book Awards

For some people it’s not easy to find joy today. The headlines scream at us about US political unrest, social divisions, mass shootings, hurricanes, floods, war in Europe, inflation in the US, RSV, Covid – the list is endless. Where is the joy in all of that? Surprisingly, right under our noses. And bestselling author Louise Pistole can show us how to find it.

“Life has its ups and downs, but sometimes challenging events occur all at once. When our world is turned upside down, it’s normal to feel a lack of joy.

“Most adults will experience multiple severe traumas and losses throughout their lives. Loss of joy in these contexts is a natural part of the human experience.

“For some people, however, the lack of joy persists or appears out of the blue. This may occur in a mood disorder like depression.” – Stephanie Collier, MD, MPH, Contributor to Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.

Pistole says, “During these stressful times, I encourage others to look for ‘moments of joy’ in everyday places in your day. Hold onto these moments and commit them to memory. Remembering and reliving even small moments will bring you back to your joyful center.

“Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be filled with joy. Even on tough days when you’re struggling, you have the ability to find your own joy. You just have to make a conscious decision to turn your day around.

“Remember, you are the master of your own joy!

Choosing Gratitude is your pathway to Choosing Joy!

“If you can find a few moments every day to express gratitude, you will soon see your life make a change in a positive direction. As simple as this idea is, it is also sometimes difficult to be grateful when everything in your life seems to be packed full of negativity.

“One of the simplest ideas is to say ‘thank you’ every morning as soon as you wake up. You can follow up with a few things you are grateful for which increases the gratitude in your heart. But just saying those two words, ‘thank you,’ will definitely start your day off on solid footing.

“Gradually ease yourself into writing a gratitude list in a journal. Don’t overthink it. Just write whatever comes to mind.

“This is also a good time to get your kids involved with gratitude. Teach them to say ‘thank you’ for any blessing, large or small, that comes their way.

“As you begin to make gratitude a habit, you will find that the more grateful you are, the more good things will come your way.

“This simple habit of being grateful is truly your pathway to joy.

Hope Anchors Your Soul

“Joy doesn’t simply happen. You have to intentionally ‘choose joy,’ and you have to choose to be joyful every day. It comes from a light deep within your soul. Joy really is a state of mind.

“How do you reclaim your JOY when you’re struggling with a tough day or situation? Start by refusing to let negative thoughts take root in your mind, then choose a better feeling activity.

“Hope is being positive under circumstances that are considered to be desperate. It is during the storms of our lives that we need to maintain our positive thoughts and cling to hope.

“Hope can heal the hurt or pain deep inside of you. It allows you to see the light even on the darkest days. It gives you courage, determination, and perseverance to cope and move forward. Your current problems seem less difficult to bear as you follow your beacon of hope.

“Through gratitude, positive thoughts, and hope, joy can be yours.”

Moving from anxiety, depression, or trauma to living a life of joy may seem impossible. How does one actually live a life filled with joy? Author and motivational speaker Louise Pistole has discovered the key to doing just that. She gives us that key in her best-selling book, 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace'. It is a book unlike any other you will ever read.

While many of us believe that happiness is found at the end of some long, arduous process, it is instead that we begin from a state of joy. Some of us have it backwards. Joy is not a reward - it is a choice. And because it is a choice, it is something over which we hold total control. That choice can be made now - today.

Many of us feel hopeless and joyless. Perhaps our intentions are out of alignment with our actions. Surprisingly we can live in joy every day of our lives, but again - it is a choice.

"I made my choice one Sunday morning about 12 years ago when my minister spoke about being joyful and watching out for joy-stealers," Pistole stated. "His message resonated with me and I began my journey to joy through reading, studying, and writing. As I began choosing joy day after day, it gradually became a habit in my life. Now my mission is to guide others to discover their own joy through these daily inspirational readings."

In Discover Your Joy, readers will:

• Enjoy daily inspiration for happiness and joyfulness,
• Learn how to live an abundant life filled with gratitude, hope, and joy,
• Discover inner peace through encouraging words,
• Discover how to become a Joy-Fanatic and enjoy one's best life.

A quick inspirational read every morning helps readers discover ‘moments of joy’ each day. Chock full of encouragement and motivation, readers will learn to seek and experience gratitude, hope, and true joy.

Readers and reviewers alike have praised 'Discover Your Joy'. One said, "Each page in "Discover Your Joy" is a simple and beautiful reminder that the world may not be perfect, there will always be the ups and the downs, but we have the ability to CHOOSE each day how we will use this gift we call life. I highly recommend this book!!" Another stated, "Pistole gives great insight into ways to remind us that our joy is important and to beware of “joy stealers”. This book is a great way to start your mornings with a great cup of coffee and to discover your joy each and every day!"

Louise Pistole is available for media interviews and speaking engagements and can be reached using the information below or by email at pistole9@gmail.com. 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace' is available in several formats at Amazon and other book retailers. More information is available at her website at https://www.louisepistole.com.

About Louise Pistole:

Louise Pistole is a best-selling author, blogger and motivational speaker who encourages others to seek their own joy, no matter where they are on their journey through life. She and her husband reside in North Carolina.

Contact:

Louise Pistole

pistole9@gmail.com

https://www.louisepistole.com

Leia Mais…

If We Don't Find Joy In Our Daily Lives, We Might Be Looking In The Wrong Place Says Louise Pistole, Author Of Bestselling Book, Discover Your Joy

Pistole is a best-selling author, blogger, coach and motivational speaker who describes herself as a "joy-fanatic". Her book provides readers with a quick inspirational read every morning and helps them discover ‘moments of joy’ each day.

As we get older some of us seem to lose the sense of wonder, happiness and joy we experienced as young children. Where did it go? As adults, the pressures we face day after day - job stresses, dealing with health issues, money issues, children, parents, the pandemic, rising inflation and a host of other challenges and problems - can wear us down and wear us out. The world seems to get darker and harder to navigate. At some point, we realize we have lost it. And we naturally blame "the world" and the challenges it hands us day after day.

But is it possible we are looking for the answer in the wrong place?

Greg Bishop, in an article written about athlete Athing Mu, wrote the following in Sports Illustrated:

“Athing Mu, the 20-year-old middle-distance runner from New Jersey who specializes in what’s arguably the sport’s most brutal race. There’s not even a lot of argument. The task: sprint almost as hard as she can, for two full laps around the track, saving enough energy to separate over the final 100 meters but not so much that she’s not in position to separate at all.

That’s precisely where Mu’s other specialty comes in. She runs while exuding an emotion that’s rarely displayed in track, at least not during a race. It’s a simple concept—and yet, an elusive one. It’s what separates her from other elite competitors—and what will power her drive to break a controversial world record that has stood for 39 years.

It’s joy.”

"The joy that resonates and motivates Mu is available to everyone," says Louise Pistole, self-professed joy fanatic and author of the bestselling book 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace'. "However, not everyone chooses to live in joy on a daily basis."

"If this is a simple concept, exactly what is it?" Pistole offers the following in response:

We must choose joy and we must choose it every day in order to experience this life-defining all-encompassing emotion. Joy is our natural default but it gets lost in the busyness of everyday life.

There are many ways to bring joy into our lives but the easiest path is through gratitude. The more grateful we are, the more joyful we will also be. As we go about our day, it is easy to say, “I am grateful for my nutritious breakfast. My car has plenty of gas. Traffic is light today. My boss is in a great mood.”

While it is easy to say these things, we get busy and distracted and don’t follow through with gratitude every day. Without regular gratitude, it’s hard to obtain the status of joyful. And that is why the emotion of joy is elusive.

Here are some other suggestions of ways to move into the joyful state that inspires Mu:

1. Start the day by reading a devotional or inspirational book. Take time for prayer or meditation.

2. Make gratitude a part of your morning routine. Make a list of a few things you are grateful for or say thank you out loud and think of some of your blessings.

3. Choose to be around other positive people and avoid the negative naysayers.

4. Take time for yourself whether it be reading a book, taking a walk, or getting to bed early. Your body, mind, and spirit all need this reprieve from the stresses of everyday life.

5. Spend time with family, friends, and those who love you. They are your tribe and they will always be there for you. The hugs, smiles, and laughter are all so good for you.

6. Do all the healthy things – eat nutritious meals, drink plenty of water, and get regular exercise. You will not feel joyful if you’re not feeling well most of the time.

7. Get out in nature as often as possible. The trees, flowers, bees, and water all help your mind and spirit to reconnect to the earth. You will feel revived, and again, more joyful.

If you’re not an athlete running sprints on a track, what are the benefits of living a joyful life?

1. Joy releases all the feel-good hormones into our bodies.

2. It makes us more resilient.

3. We will feel more positive.

4. Joy inspires us to be more loving, kinder, and to do good things for other people.

5. But one of the biggest benefits of being joyful is a sense of connection. We feel more connected to ourselves, to those we care about, and the world we live in.

No matter where we are in life, there are many benefits to seeking joy and many ways of finding joy. We all have to figure out what works best for us and reach for the gold.

Discover Your Joy

How does one actually live a life filled with joy? Best-selling author and motivational speaker Louise Pistole has discovered the key to doing just that. She gives us that key in her best-selling book, 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace'. It is a book unlike any other you will ever read. ‘Discover Your Joy’ was awarded Honorable Mention in the Spiritual/Religious Category at the 2022 San Francisco Book Festival

While many of us believe that happiness is found at the end of some long, arduous process, it is instead that we begin from a state of joy. Some of us have it backwards. Joy is not a reward - it is a choice. And because it is a choice, it is something over which we hold total control. That choice can be made now - today.

Many of us feel hopeless and joyless. Perhaps our intentions are out of alignment with our actions. Surprisingly we can live in joy every day of our lives, but again - it is a choice.

"I made my choice one Sunday morning about 12 years ago when my minister spoke about being joyful and watching out for joy-stealers," Pistole stated. "His message resonated with me and I began my journey to joy through reading, studying, and writing. As I began choosing joy day after day, it gradually became a habit in my life. Now my mission is to guide others to discover their own joy through these daily inspirational readings."

In Discover Your Joy, readers will:

• Enjoy daily inspiration for happiness and joyfulness,
• Learn how to live an abundant life filled with gratitude, hope, and joy,
• Discover inner peace through encouraging words,
• Discover how to become a Joy-Fanatic and enjoy one's best life.

A quick inspirational read every morning helps readers discover ‘moments of joy’ each day. Chock full of encouragement and motivation, readers will learn to seek and experience gratitude, hope, and true joy.

Readers and reviewers alike have praised 'Discover Your Joy'. One said, "Each page in "Discover Your Joy" is a simple and beautiful reminder that the world may not be perfect, there will always be the ups and the downs, but we have the ability to CHOOSE each day how we will use this gift we call life. I highly recommend this book!!" Another stated, "Pistole gives great insight into ways to remind us that our joy is important and to beware of “joy stealers”. This book is a great way to start your mornings with a great cup of coffee and to discover your joy each and every day!"

Louise Pistole is available for media interviews and speaking engagements and can be reached using the information below or by email at pistole9@gmail.com. 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace' is available in several formats at Amazon and other book retailers. More information is available at her website at https://www.louisepistole.com.

About Louise Pistole:

Louise Pistole is a best-selling author, blogger and motivational speaker who encourages others to seek their own joy, no matter where they are on their journey through life. She and her husband reside in North Carolina.

Contact:

Louise Pistole

pistole9@gmail.com

https://www.louisepistole.com

Leia Mais…

How To Discover Joy In 2022 - Suggestions For Creating Joy Every Day In The New Year Offered By Louise Pistole, Bestselling Author Of Discover Your Joy

Pistole is a best-selling author, blogger, coach and motivational speaker who describes herself as a "joy-fanatic". Her bestseller, 'Discover Your Joy' will be available in e-book format at reduced pricing through January 7, 2022

Many of us believe that the state of joy can only be found in some far-off future time - after a specific set of circumstances have occurred, the stars have aligned or perhaps after everything just magically falls into place. According to Louise Pistole, bestselling author of 'Discover Your Joy', that is not the case. She recently issued a statement that offers a number of ways in which we can start the new year off by discovering the joy that is right now, right here, today:

"The last two years, the world has experienced unprecedented crisis and situations," Pistole stated. "Everyone was accustomed to going out to eat, to play, and to connect with others. Then we were locked down, quarantined, and left alone. It’s not surprising that these significant changes to our lifestyles affected our mental health. Now, many people are feeling depressed, anxious, or stressed.

"A recent article by Ask Dr Mike focused on taking care of our mental health in 2022. He used several interviews from his podcast Going There with Dr Mike to formulate steps for a better mental health journey.

• “First, we can check in with ourselves emotionally. How often do we really stop and consider how we are feeling?”
• “Once we have determined how we are feeling, we can try to figure out why.”
• “Once we’ve identified how we feel and why, we can then take the next step of trying to make changes to improve our mood.”
• “Once we have identified a possible coping strategy, we can give it a try and see whether it worked.”

"I would like to add to this list the habit of reading an inspirational or motivational piece/article on a daily basis.

"Regularly infusing our minds with positive thoughts allows our emotions to begin to focus on the good things in life. Daily inspiration encourages us to smile and laugh more, and to find moments of joy in every day.

"A few quiet moments in the morning leads to positivity, gratitude, and kindness. The power of these emotions can affect your whole day, and even all of 2022, for the best.

"Living a positive life has many health benefits including lowering your stress levels. As you spend time each day reading and absorbing an inspirational story, you will begin to feel the pace of your heart slow down to enjoy the world around you.

"Perhaps you will be inspired to take a walk outside. This is another activity that enlightens your senses and your emotions. It can help overcome the feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed.

"Expressing gratitude every day has also shown to be good for our stress levels. Being thankful for everything you already have makes us look for all the good things in life. Focusing on the positive aspects of the day allows us to purge our minds of any negativity.

"Daily inspiration also allows us to focus on kindness. Spreading kindness to others comes from within our hearts and leaves us with a warm feeling inside. While you hear many stories about being kind to others, be sure to include self-kindness in your daily plan.

"There are many motivational books to choose from, but I would like to suggest Discover Your Joy. Start your new year with this powerful daily inspirational book. As an added bonus, the e-book version is on sale through January 7."

Discover Your Joy

How does one actually live a life filled with joy? Best-selling author and motivational speaker Louise Pistole has discovered the key to doing just that. She gives us that key in her best-selling book, 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace'. It is a book unlike any other you will ever read.

While many of us believe that happiness is found at the end of some long, arduous process, it is instead that we begin from a state of joy. Some of us have it backwards. Joy is not a reward - it is a choice. And because it is a choice, it is something over which we hold total control. That choice can be made now - today.

Many of us feel hopeless and joyless. Perhaps our intentions are out of alignment with our actions. Surprisingly we can live in joy every day of our lives, but again - it is a choice.

"I made my choice one Sunday morning about 12 years ago when my minister spoke about being joyful and watching out for joy-stealers," Pistole stated. "His message resonated with me and I began my journey to joy through reading, studying, and writing. As I began choosing joy day after day, it gradually became a habit in my life. Now my mission is to guide others to discover their own joy through these daily inspirational readings."

In Discover Your Joy, readers will:

• Enjoy daily inspiration for happiness and joyfulness,
• Learn how to live an abundant life filled with gratitude, hope, and joy,
• Discover inner peace through encouraging words,
• Discover how to become a Joy-Fanatic and enjoy one's best life.

A quick inspirational read every morning helps readers discover ‘moments of joy’ each day. Chock-full of encouragement and motivation, readers will learn to seek and experience gratitude, hope, and true joy.

Readers and reviewers alike have praised 'Discover Your Joy'. One said, "Each page in "Discover Your Joy" is a simple and beautiful reminder that the world may not be perfect, there will always be the ups and the downs, but we have the ability to CHOOSE each day how we will use this gift we call life. I highly recommend this book!!" Another stated, "Pistole gives great insight into ways to remind us that our joy is important and to beware of “joy stealers”. This book is a great way to start your mornings with a great cup of coffee and to discover your joy each and every day!"

Louise Pistole is available for media interviews and speaking engagements and can be reached using the information below or by email at pistole9@gmail.com. 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace' is available in several formats at Amazon and other book retailers. Reduced pricing on the ebook version of the book runs through January 7, 2022 at Amazon. More information is available at her website at https://www.louisepistole.com.

About Louise Pistole:

Louise Pistole is a best-selling author, blogger and motivational speaker who encourages others to seek their own joy, no matter where they are on their journey through life. She and her husband reside in North Carolina.

Contact:

Louise Pistole

pistole9@gmail.com

https://www.louisepistole.com

Leia Mais…

The Pandemic’s Toll On Our Mental Health Is Staggering, But We Can Find Joy Everywhere Says Louise Pistole, Best Selling Author Of Discover Your Joy

Pistole is a best-selling author, blogger, coach and motivational speaker who describes herself as a "joy-fanatic".

Today the headlines dramatically illustrate the breadth and scope of the ill effects brought on by the Covid 19 pandemic. It has affected our lives in many ways from stress and alcohol to exercise and child care. In fact, there is hardly any part of our lives that has gone unscathed. Furthermore, as problems continue to rise, solutions do not readily present themselves:

“…the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency committee said the pandemic is far from over, though countries are making progress in rolling out vaccines and treatments,” according to an article by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.

The Hill states, “The pandemic has made a multi-faceted impact in our lives, which has exacerbated existing mental health issues and created new cases of depression and anxiety disorders. We have had to deal with the effects of the virus on the brain as well as the body. We endured loneliness from extended shutdowns, sheltering in place and social distancing. The loss of daily structure of our pre-pandemic lives and the insecurity we experienced in its wake. Many experienced loss of income and long-term unemployment. Sleep difficulties are more prevalent, due to overwhelming anxiety, changes in structure and increased weight. The pandemic has stressed us emotionally, physically and financially. “

NBC News has reported, “Stress from the pandemic has people struggling to make decisions large and small, with nearly a third of adults questioning even basic day-to-day choices, according to a new report.

"The American Psychological Association's "Stress in America" survey, conducted by the Harris Poll, found that 32 percent of adults are so stressed by the pandemic, they sometimes wrestle with daily tasks, such as choosing what to eat or what to wear.”

Healthline.com issued a report stating, “Many people in the United States may be drinking more alcohol as a way of dealing with the stress and disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, suggest several surveys. Some may even have slipped into “gray area” drinking — that realm between healthy levels of alcohol consumption and a diagnosed alcohol use disorder.”

Child care has taken a hit as reported by CBS News, “Across the country, there is a growing child care crisis. It's a crisis made worse by the pandemic and stagnant wages."

These are but a small sampling of the problems we face today. So what is the answer? Best selling author Louise Pistole offers some solutions, based on her best selling book, Discover Your Joy:

“Even though there are no magical answers to all the problems brought on by the pandemic, there are things we all can do to help ourselves and others.” Pistole stated.

“Start by focusing on the good things in life. This could be family, job, hobbies, or anything that is meaningful. Read something inspirational or motivational every day. Listen to a few uplifting podcasts.

“Take time every day to go outside. Take a walk without your phone in hand or earbuds. Observe the sights and sounds around you. Soak in the sunshine and fresh air. You’ll also feel better after getting some exercise.

“Try to take steps to interact with people every day. Share your story of how you or your family are doing under the circumstances. Soak in any encouragement that is offered and reciprocate as needed. Conversation and sharing offers hope to face a new day and new challenges.

“We know that consuming alcohol to deal with the stress of the pandemic will mask the problem instead of leading to a solution. But when times have been rough for so long, it’s difficult to recount the reasons not to drink alcohol.

“Encourage friends/family to seek guidance before the alcohol becomes a habit. There are ways to break the cycle and find positive ways to deal with stress. Kindness and encouraging words will help people find their way out of the negativity of the pandemic.

“Phone a friend or family member for actual conversation. It’s more personal than texts. You can hear their voice or their laughter. The conversation is stimulating. Encourage each other to keep moving forward.

“Get enough rest. Sign off from your electronic devices early in the evening. Use the time to read, meditate, or other quiet activities.

“Be prepared to deal with the effects of the pandemic on your life for a long time still to come. But rather than allow the pandemic to cause worry or anxiety, use some of these suggestions to move towards living a positive and joyful life."

Discover Your Joy

How does one actually live a life filled with joy? Best-selling author and motivational speaker Louise Pistole has discovered the key to doing just that. She gives us that key in her best-selling book, 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace'. It is a book unlike any other you will ever read.

While many of us believe that happiness is found at the end of some long, arduous process, it is instead that we begin from a state of joy. Some of us have it backwards. Joy is not a reward - it is a choice. And because it is a choice, it is something over which we hold total control. That choice can be made now - today.

Many of us feel hopeless and joyless. Perhaps our intentions are out of alignment with our actions. Surprisingly we can live in joy every day of our lives, but again - it is a choice.

"I made my choice one Sunday morning about 12 years ago when my minister spoke about being joyful and watching out for joy-stealers," Pistole stated. "His message resonated with me and I began my journey to joy through reading, studying, and writing. As I began choosing joy day after day, it gradually became a habit in my life. Now my mission is to guide others to discover their own joy through these daily inspirational readings."

In Discover Your Joy, readers will:

• Enjoy daily inspiration for happiness and joyfulness,
• Learn how to live an abundant life filled with gratitude, hope, and joy,
• Discover inner peace through encouraging words,
• Discover how to become a Joy-Fanatic and enjoy one's best life.

A quick inspirational read every morning helps readers discover ‘moments of joy’ each day. Chock full of encouragement and motivation, readers will learn to seek and experience gratitude, hope, and true joy.

Readers and reviewers alike have praised 'Discover Your Joy'. One said, "Each page in "Discover Your Joy" is a simple and beautiful reminder that the world may not be perfect, there will always be the ups and the downs, but we have the ability to CHOOSE each day how we will use this gift we call life. I highly recommend this book!!" Another stated, "Pistole gives great insight into ways to remind us that our joy is important and to beware of “joy stealers”. This book is a great way to start your mornings with a great cup of coffee and to discover your joy each and every day!"

Louise Pistole is available for media interviews and speaking engagements and can be reached using the information below or by email at pistole9@gmail.com. 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace' is available in several formats at Amazon and other book retailers. More information is available at her website at https://www.louisepistole.com.

About Louise Pistole:

Louise Pistole is a best-selling author, blogger and motivational speaker who encourages others to seek their own joy, no matter where they are on their journey through life. She and her husband reside in North Carolina.

Contact:

Louise Pistole
pistole9@gmail.com
https://www.louisepistole.com

Leia Mais…

15 Ways To Find Joy Even In The Midst Of The Pandemic Offered By Louise Pistole, Best-selling Author Of 'Discover Your Joy'

Pistole is a best-selling author, blogger, coach and motivational speaker who describes herself as a "joy-fanatic".

The national news has been so negative for so long, we can begin to wonder if things will ever return to normal. Headline after grim headline, story after unpleasant story, the media hits us over and over again with messages about the pandemic that are depressing, pessimistic and filled with doom and gloom scenarios for the future.

While the effects of the pandemic have been catastrophic on a national scale, it is on a personal level where we can consciously choose to take another path; a path that is very different. We do not have to wait for the pandemic to be over to return to a state of equilibrium. We can instead find joy in the very midst of adversity, if we consciously choose to do so. Best-selling author Louise Pistole recently offered 15 tips to find joy in our lives, regardless of any external event:

"While reading a C|Net article titled, 'COVID-19 pandemic causes devastating drop in global life expectancy, study finds,' I was struck with sadness. So, not only is the pandemic claiming lives every day, but those who survive now likely have a shorter life span.

"The article goes on to state, “In July, the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics also reported that life expectancy in the US fell by 1.5 years in 2020. That's the biggest drop since World War II, according to NPR.”

"The closing comment in this article said, “As of last week, the COVID-19 pandemic had killed as many Americans as the Spanish flu in 1918 -- about 1 in 500 Americans. Unvaccinated people have accounted for more than 97% of hospitalizations and deaths.”

"What does this information mean to us? Do we read it and just continue to go on with our lives? Or do we stop to consider the impact it could have on our lives?

"Personally, I am alarmed to see how many people have died from the pandemic. I am confused by the varying opinions of whether to get vaccinated or not. And, I am saddened that our life spans are potentially shortened.

"After giving some thought to this article, here are my tips and ideas for dealing with the pandemic, shortened life spans, and everything else around this topic.

Tip #1 - The one thing we all can do today is to treat others with KINDNESS. Not everyone will have the same opinion that we do and that’s ok. Use kindness to offer others hope and encouragement instead of attacking those who may think differently.

Tip #2 – Don’t stress over everything in the news. I believe we need information and knowledge in order to make intelligent decisions. But worrying over the news headlines causes stress, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and a host of other medical issues.

Tip #3 – Relationships are important in our quest to deal with the pandemic. Reach out to family and friends regularly and let them know they are important. Take time to chat with neighbors. Phone a friend for sharing and support. Check on the older members of the family or those who live alone.

Tip #4 – Make every day count by doing the things you love. Have breakfast in bed. Buy fresh flowers for the table. Learn to make an exotic meal. Read about far away places to visit. Laugh out loud. Take a road trip. And, always sing in the shower.

Tip #5 – Enjoying nature is one of my personal favorites. Take a walk to watch the squirrels play, listen to the birds sing, and smell the flowers. Sit on a bench for a while to enjoy the sunshine. Being out in nature is sure to bring peace and calm to our lives. By putting the phone aside and being fully present outdoors, we return to our day refreshed and re-energized.

Tip #6 – Being grateful for everything we have brings more things to be grateful for into our lives. Make it a daily habit to say ‘thank you’ several times during the day and name a few blessings. Amplify gratitude by saying it out loud or writing it down. There’s always something to be thankful for. And, remember to say grace at mealtime.

Tip #7 – Forgive anyone who may have wronged you. Forgiveness is often difficult to do, but is definitely a powerful source for freeing our minds and hearts of the turmoil. Sometimes we also need to forgive ourselves. Believe you are doing the best you can at the time.

Tip #8 – Look for the positive in people and situations. Don’t get caught in a downward spiral of negativity. Instead, rise above it by spending time with positive minded people. Focus on the good things in life. This one tip will keep our spirits high which releases all the good hormones into our bodies.

Tip #9 – Prioritize health by consuming a healthy diet and drinking lots of water. I know these are good habits that we all need, but I am one of the worst about eating anything green and drinking enough water. I battle it every day. I’ll try to be proactive and do better in an effort to inspire others to follow likewise.

Tip #10 – Take time for yoga or meditation. Both of these activities have a way to calm the chatter and turmoil in our brains. Even doing one of these activities for short periods of time on a regular basis will calm the mind and body. The quietness will nurture the soul.

Tip #11 – The benefits of regular exercise are amazing. Along with burning calories, exercise also strengthens our bodies, increases flexibility, and keeps our hearts humming along. Exercise is one thing most of us dread adding to our schedules. But it is one way to add back those extra years to our lives.

Tip #12 – Another personal favorite of mine is journaling. By writing down thoughts and feelings regularly and releasing them to paper, we clear the pathways in our minds and hearts. Over time, themes or patterns emerge from our writing which can lead us to ideas, inspiration, or ah-ha moments.

Tip #13 – The one tip above all is to serve others and serve them with love and kindness. Our mission here on Planet Earth is to care for our fellow mankind. The list of ways to serve is truly endless. We can do many things from working in a soup kitchen to checking on a sick friend. Find the service that fits your interest or skills. Then go out into the world and serve.

Tip #14 – We all deserve and need time for self-care. Just like flight attendants always tell us to put on our own oxygen mask before helping others, we must take care of ourselves in order to be able to take care of others. If we are depleted of energy or enthusiasm, everything else in our life suffers. Read, relax, refocus – we deserve it.

Tip #15 – For those who believe in a higher being and eternal life, prayer is the ultimate source for living through a pandemic and everything else in life. As we turn our cares over to the Creator of the Universe, our hearts and minds are filled with inner peace.

Rather than allowing the pandemic to cause worry or anxiety, especially over the possibility of shortened life spans, use some of these tips to guide you to living a joyful life instead. Choose one tip to start today, then gradually try to add all of them to a daily routine. Conscious choices and positive living are the pathway to joy!

Discover Your Joy

How does one actually live a life filled with joy? Best-selling author and motivational speaker Louise Pistole has discovered the key to doing just that. She gives us that key in her best-selling book, 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace'. It is a book unlike any other you will ever read.

While many of us believe that happiness is found at the end of some long, arduous process, it is instead that we begin from a state of joy. Some of us have it backwards. Joy is not a reward - it is a choice. And because it is a choice, it is something over which we hold total control. That choice can be made now - today.

Many of us feel hopeless and joyless. Perhaps our intentions are out of alignment with our actions. Surprisingly we can live in joy every day of our lives, but again - it is a choice.

"I made my choice one Sunday morning about 12 years ago when my minister spoke about being joyful and watching out for joy-stealers," Pistole stated. "His message resonated with me and I began my journey to joy through reading, studying, and writing. As I began choosing joy day after day, it gradually became a habit in my life. Now my mission is to guide others to discover their own joy through these daily inspirational readings."

In Discover Your Joy, readers will:

• Enjoy daily inspiration for happiness and joyfulness,
• Learn how to live an abundant life filled with gratitude, hope, and joy,
• Discover inner peace through encouraging words,
• Discover how to become a Joy-Fanatic and enjoy one's best life.

A quick inspirational read every morning helps readers discover ‘moments of joy’ each day. Chock-full of encouragement and motivation, readers will learn to seek and experience gratitude, hope, and true joy.

Readers and reviewers alike have praised 'Discover Your Joy'. One said, "Each page in "Discover Your Joy" is a simple and beautiful reminder that the world may not be perfect, there will always be the ups and the downs, but we have the ability to CHOOSE each day how we will use this gift we call life. I highly recommend this book!!" Another stated, "Pistole gives great insight into ways to remind us that our joy is important and to beware of “joy stealers”. This book is a great way to start your mornings with a great cup of coffee and to discover your joy each and every day!"

Louise Pistole is available for media interviews and speaking engagements and can be reached using the information below or by email at pistole9@gmail.com. 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace' is available in several formats at Amazon and other book retailers. More information is available at her website at https://www.louisepistole.com.

About Louise Pistole:

Louise Pistole is a best-selling author, blogger and motivational speaker who encourages others to seek their own joy, no matter where they are on their journey through life. She and her husband reside in North Carolina.

Contact:

Louise Pistole

pistole9@gmail.com

https://www.louisepistole.com

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Four Ideas That Can Help Readers Move Beyond The Pandemic Offered By Louise Pistole, Author Of New Motivational Christian Book, ‘Discover Your Joy’

Pistole is an author, blogger, coach and motivational speaker who describes herself as a "joy-fanatic".

A recent article by CNBC stated, “America is ‘closer to the beginning’ of the pandemic than the end.” The article goes on to discuss how Americans enjoyed some normalcy of life during the summer. But now, virus cases are once again spiking out of control and are fueled by the delta variant.

People had ditched their masks but now even vaccinated people are encouraged, or even required, to wear masks again. Discouragement has set in.

And Americans are now anxious, depressed, burned out and angry about everything associated with the pandemic. Life seems to be backsliding instead of moving forward to healing.

So how can we mentally cope with life during the pandemic? How can we move from anxiety to living a life of joy? Louise Pistole, author of ‘Discover Your Joy’, offers four strategies that can help readers not just survive, but thrive.

One. Scale back the intake of news and social media. Both of these outlets fill readers’ minds with worrisome thoughts. Instead, look for positive things happening in life and focus on those things.

Spend time with other positive-minded people who will help focus on the good things in life. And, use positivity to encourage others who need a boost.

Laughter is a great form of stress relief and is good for the soul. Look for a reason to laugh every day to increase positivity and push negativity to the curb.

Two. Spend time in gratitude. By taking a few moments every day to express gratitude, life can make a change in a positive direction. As simple as this idea is, it is also sometimes difficult to be grateful when everything seems to be packed full of negativity.

Gradually ease into starting each day by saying a simple ‘thank you’ and follow up with a few things to be grateful for. Move on to writing a gratitude list in a journal.

Gratitude brings to attention the positive values that often get suppressed in the busyness of life. The more grateful one is, the more there is to be grateful for. Gratitude is truly the pathway to joy.

Three. Rely on hope. Hope is being positive under circumstances that are considered to be desperate. It is during the storms of life that a person needs to maintain positive thoughts and cling to hope. It provides courage, determination, and perseverance to cope and move forward.

Current problems or concerns will seem less difficult to bear by following a beacon of hope and encouragement. Joy comes after the darkness has passed.

Four. Nurturing the inner spirit is a form of self-care which is one of the best ways to preserve mental stability and is essential to living a life of joy. When lives are empty of energy, love, compassion, and kindness, everything else in life suffers.

Swap the chaos for calm by taking a walk in nature. Absorb the sights and sounds. Pause and listen. Let the mind wander. This activates all the feel-good hormones and reduces stress levels.

Meditation is a state of mind that de-clutters the brain and helps to reduce negativity. The result is a heightened self-awareness that focuses on peace and calm.

Yoga combines breathing and stretching to reduce stress. It opens the mind and fills the body with positive energy. Thoughts are clearer and the mind is more creative. It is the perfect recipe to be free from anxiety and depression.

Any form of self-care helps to heal the mind, body, and soul.

Moving from anxiety, depression, or trauma to living a life of joy may seem impossible. How does one actually live a life filled with joy? Author and motivational speaker Louise Pistole has discovered the key to doing just that. She gives us that key in her latest book, 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace'. It is a book unlike any other you will ever read.

While many of us believe that happiness is found at the end of some long, arduous process, it is instead that we begin from a state of joy. Some of us have it backwards. Joy is not a reward - it is a choice. And because it is a choice, it is something over which we hold total control. That choice can be made now - today.

Many of us feel hopeless and joyless. Perhaps our intentions are out of alignment with our actions. Surprisingly we can live in joy every day of our lives, but again - it is a choice.

"I made my choice one Sunday morning about 12 years ago when my minister spoke about being joyful and watching out for joy-stealers," Pistole stated. "His message resonated with me and I began my journey to joy through reading, studying, and writing. As I began choosing joy day after day, it gradually became a habit in my life. Now my mission is to guide others to discover their own joy through these daily inspirational readings."

In Discover Your Joy, readers will:

• Enjoy daily inspiration for happiness and joyfulness,
• Learn how to live an abundant life filled with gratitude, hope, and joy,
• Discover inner peace through encouraging words,
• Discover how to become a Joy-Fanatic and enjoy one's best life.

A quick inspirational read every morning helps readers discover ‘moments of joy’ each day. Chock full of encouragement and motivation, readers will learn to seek and experience gratitude, hope, and true joy.

Readers and reviewers alike have praised 'Discover Your Joy'. One said, "Each page in "Discover Your Joy" is a simple and beautiful reminder that the world may not be perfect, there will always be the ups and the downs, but we have the ability to CHOOSE each day how we will use this gift we call life. I highly recommend this book!!" Another stated, "Pistole gives great insight into ways to remind us that our joy is important and to beware of “joy stealers”. This book is a great way to start your mornings with a great cup of coffee and to discover your joy each and every day!"

Louise Pistole is available for media interviews and speaking engagements and can be reached using the information below or by email at pistole9@gmail.com. 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace' is available in several formats at Amazon and other book retailers. More information is available at her website at https://www.louisepistole.com.

About Louise Pistole:

Louise Pistole is an author, blogger and motivational speaker who encourages others to seek their own joy, no matter where they are on their journey through life. She and her husband reside in North Carolina.

Contact:

Louise Pistole

pistole9@gmail.com

https://www.louisepistole.com

Leia Mais…

Author Myrlande Sauveur Takes First Place In '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading'

Sauveur was chosen as the result of a public voting process.  Her work, entitled ‘Daily Spiritual Vitamins And Minerals For Your Soul’, offers a dozen meditational reflections and daily key verses to enhance self esteem

Myrlande Sauveur, author of ‘Daily Spiritual Vitamins And Minerals For Your Soul’, has taken first place in the ’50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading’ Awards contest. The first contest award was comprised of thousands of dollars in marketing services. The awards contest was sponsored by The Authors Show.

Often the vicissitudes of life get in the way of building an intimate relationship with God. We live in a fast-paced society and sometimes feel overwhelmed to the point that we question God’s plan for our life. ’Daily Spiritual Vitamins and Minerals for Your Soul’ offers a dozen meditational reflections, supported by daily key verse, as a regulator to give reader’s lives the rhythm they need to enhance self-esteem, elevate morale, increase faith, and strengthen fellowship with the Lord. As all people need vitamins and minerals to stay physically healthy, they also need the Word of God to remain spiritually healthy.

“I am humbled,” Sauveur stated, “to be voted as the 2013/2014 grand prize winner of ‘50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading’ contest among hundreds of great writers seasoned and new. Such honor not only adds credibility and prestige to my writing but it’s also the greatest blessing to know that someone somewhere is being touched by my testimony and deemed it worthy to share with others.”

The book took a Bronze Medal from Readers Favorite International Book Award Contest. It took a Gold Medal in the 2013 Illumination Book Awards, “Shining A Light On Exemplary Christian Books” and is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

One reviewer stated, “This beautifully inspiring book deals with the gamut of human problems. Whether the author speaks of loneliness, unrequited love, depression, anger, impatience, or just plain old hard times, the reader has no doubt that Myrlande Sauveur is speaking from personal experience. Through well-chosen scriptures, taken from both the Old and New Testament, she shows the reader how to take on every path-blocking situation. She shows how to handle life with boldness, confidence, and faith, and she leaves you with no doubt that God is in control. Not only is this a great book for daily, personal guidance, its attractive, unique design makes it an excellent gift book.”

Myrlande Sauveur is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below, or by email at myrlandesauveur81@yahoo.com. ‘Daily Spiritual Vitamins And Minerals For Your Soul is available at Amazon. More information is available at Sauveur’s website at http://www.myrlandesauveur.com.

Profile:

Myrlande E. Sauveur was born in Haiti. She came to the United States when she was 17 years old to further her education. She started writing poetry and short stories at a very early age. Some of her writings won national recognition back in her homeland. Although she had a passion for and excelled in writing, she never major in English literature or communication in college. She obtained her MBA in Business Management from Strayer University and kept writing on the side as her main hobby and a place to escape when life became too overwhelming.

In August 2009, she was recognized by Cambridge Who’s Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in marketing. She is the author of Daily Spiritual Vitamins and Minerals for Your Soul. She is a volunteer youth counselor working with troubled teens all over the U.S and Canada through a Christian online mentoring program.

She is a health and wellness consultant, teaching people how to live a healthy and well-balanced life.

She is the Co-Chair of Dorcas Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on helping Haitian College students and Haitian women in Stamford, CT and the surrounding areas by providing them with charitable services in the form of scholarships, college fairs and health fairs.

In September 2013, her first book Daily Spiritual Vitamins and Minerals for Your Soul was the recipient of a Bronze Medal from Readers Favorite International Book Award Contest.

Contact:

Myrlande Sauveur
http://www.myrlandesauveur.com
myrlandesauveur81@yahoo.com

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