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Thank you for visiting. We sincerely hope you will join us on our mission to focus on the bright spots in life and be a joy spreader whenever possible.
 

Taking joy in living is a woman’s best cosmetic.” – Rosalind Russell

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Intelligence of the Heart

Modern science  has only recently rediscovered what ancient cultures never forgot: that the heart is an organ of perception. At the HeartMath Institute, researchers have measured how the heart’s electromagnetic field — the most powerful in the body — expands and contracts with our emotional state. When we feel fear,...
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Everything is Energy

The night my grandfather died in 1974 and I was 11 years old, his spirit came to me with a persistent message, “Tell Stell (my grandmother) everything is going to be o.k.” Earlier that day as he lay dying in his ICU hospital room, he said to all of us,...
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Chase Happiness or Cultivate it?

Chase Happiness or Cultivate it? I have been thinking a lot about this question lately. I have been seeing a lot of people chasing happiness, but researchers in the field of positive psychology, pioneered by Martin Seligman and others, have found that external circumstances (like income, location, job title, or...
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Celebrating Grosse Pointe’s Notable Trees

Preserving Our Natural Legacy 🌳 Along the shores of Lake St. Clair, Grosse Pointe is home to a great variety of trees that have stood witness to generations of change. From majestic oaks that have shaded Farmhouse homes to towering chestnuts  lining Lakeshore Drive, these trees add beauty, provide environmental...
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What Color is your Grass?

A person who believes they can create their own life satisfaction tends to have an internal locus of control. They see life’s challenges as opportunities to grow and learn. Regardless of external circumstances, they seek fulfillment through self-reflection, positive habits, and meaningful connections. They’re often proactive, resilient, and adaptable—qualities that...
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What is a Fear-Based Society?

What contributes to a fear-based society? News outlets and social media often spotlight negative events and threats. Sensational headlines, the constant barrage of crisis coverage, and fear-driven rhetoric can reinforce a sense that danger is ever-present. Political leaders and campaigns sometimes use fear to mobilize support, emphasizing threats—whether real or...
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Evidence-based Coping Skills

There is a lot of uncertainty right now and I would like to share a compilation of evidence-based coping skills backed by psychological research.  If you want to look further check out an earlier post Cognitive Coping Skills (Changing Thought Patterns) Cognitive Reframing – Challenge negative thoughts and reframe them...
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My Process for New Artwork

I am having a blast creating my new works of art.  When I started my creative journey, I began as a photographer, then I moved into acrylic painting and then oils. I really love any creative medium, including markers and pastels. My work begins with a photograph as I create...
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A Day Trip back in Time to the Grosse Pointes

Each of the five Grosse Pointes, (suburbs of Detroit)  has its own unique history and charm. Below are some suggestions for enjoying a great day! Grosse Pointe Park: Start your tour in the shopping area near LeRouge Bakery at 15215 Kercheval Ave. and try a coffee and croissant. Shops open...
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It is never too late to be who you want to be!

I am excited to start my sixth decade today and am feeling very grateful to still be here to do so. I have lost many friends and family that I have known and loved, and still love, and recognize it is a privilege to age. I am working on aging...
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My Better Angels

This photo is of the women who raised me. I am on the far right. (L to R: My mother, sister, cousin Carol, grandmother, and aunt). Their influence poured into me like an empty cup. I drank it up. I look at the five of them and know that I...
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Spread Joy Today!

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” – Amelia Earhart June 30th would be our mother’s 93rd birthday! In her memory we started Society of Joy Spreaders in 2014 to carry on her spirit, lift and inspire...
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