Lost and Finding Joy

We talked about doing a Corn Maze. We drew it out, put it on vision boards, did the time machine activity (an activity that is done in my life coaching curriculum), meditated on it, and described it in detail to each other many times. You could say we had the intention of doing a corn maze with an elevated emotion – for years. Every time we tried to put the idea away, it would resurface when we asked ourselves the question, “What would I love?” Then out of the blue, in common hours, that dream came to fruition in October, 2022. It is mind-blowing how it all fell into place. It was like an unseen force was leading us step-by-step. It felt amazing. We are so grateful for every bit of that experience. And then…after the last car drove away for the season… we asked ourselves, “What’s next?”

I didn’t want to ask “What’s next” in 2011 when I reached my goal and bought a new Jeep. I’d wanted that jeep for 7 years. I took a picture of one I saw in a parking lot and had it on my phone. I thought about how much I would enjoy having the tops off driving down the road with the wind blowing in my hair. The only problem was, we were raising 5 children, and I needed a much bigger vehicle to get from point A to point B.

We had two successful businesses that we had to learn new skills and build from the ground up beginning in 2001. Along the way, I read good books like, “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki; and “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill; and “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne. We went to real estate trainings, and started a real estate investing business. We worked hard. And then…one day most of my children were old enough to drive their own vehicles, and my husband purchased my dream Jeep for me on my 41st birthday. Something happened inside me a few months later.

I lost my ambition to grow. I asked myself, “Why am I working so hard for material things?” “What’s this all for?” I realized material things come and go. They are nice and shiny and fun at first, but eventually the new wears off and the thing gets old and sold or tossed out. I didn’t want to build our businesses anymore and I didn’t want to buy any more real estate property. Basically, I hit a wall. I lost my enthusiasm or desire to grow. Jim Carrey once said, “I wished everyone had everything that they thought they wanted…then they would realize, that’s not it.”

So, what is “it”?

By 2013 I hit rock bottom. That’s actually what led me to blogging. Once I pulled out of it in 2014, I wanted to help as many people as I could that was going through their dark night of the soul. I wanted to get the message out, that as long as you hold on to a seed of hope, and don’t give up, it’s just something we go through. It’s not a destination. We all have dark nights of the soul. It’s part of our human journey.

What makes us happy is simply one word — progress. I had to first get myself out of bed and begin living again. I was able to heal myself by helping others. I got involved with a church that gave back to the community. I was able to help with an event called, Helping Hands; and even lead a Life Group that I called, “Lost and Finding Joy.” I am grateful that church provided those platforms. That’s where most of my healing took place. I studied, read books, and listened to educational, self-help videos. I took a psychology class at our local community college. I went through a phenomenal life coaching program, and became a certified life coach. I was progressing. Eventually, the old personality went away, and I was born again.

There is nothing outside of you that will make you happy. It comes from inside. There is no successful place where we arrive and say, “We’ve made it.” “We can rest here for our remaining days.” Feelings are fleeting. Money comes and goes. Things come and go.

What is “It”? It’s recognizing the victories along the way and being grateful for, and even proud of them. It’s going after our dreams and doing new things. It’s being happy in the process and enjoying the process. It’s progression.

We are so grateful for the Corn Maze we were able to build and offer to the community. What’s next? Happily and Joyfully living every day and recreating the corn maze again this year with more wisdom and added attractions. Then what? We will see when we get there.

Continue to ask yourself, “What would I love?” Happiness comes with you deciding what you would love and taking a step in that direction. Joy is in the journey. In other words, you don’t need to arrive anywhere to be happy today. Be happy now by being grateful for where you are, while imagining yourself living your dream, and enjoying each inspired step you take. There’s nothing better this life has to offer than when you feel those unseen forces working with you as you are taking steps, progressing, and growing. Do what you love and love what you do. That will be the greatest gift you give to yourself and everyone around you.

Here’s to your joy and happiness and to those you’ll inspire!