Recipe for Joy

The Recipe for Joy is actually quite simple:

1. Do more of what brings you joy

2. Do less of what steals your joy

3. Savor the joy of each season

4. Share your joy & make a difference

As any baker or chef will tell you, it is essential to have quality ingredients in order to have a recipe work. The same is true for living a joyful life. You need to have key ingredients very handy and ready to incorporate into your life. I have created several for you to use. These are all free PDFs that you can download right now and get started creating and following your unique Recipe for Joy

The Pink Box – Discover What Brings You Joy

The first and most critical step is to know what brings you joy. I have developed a special tool for you to use to identify your joy in six areas of your life. This is The Pink Box.

The Pink Box is about identifying what brings you joy. Much like the delight you get from filling a pink bakery box with tasty treats, it is equally delicious to fill your life with the people, pursuits, and personal care that allow you to “injoy” every precious moment.

To help you create your Pink Box, I have created a series of questions and ideas to act as prompts for your inquiry. You can download these Joy Prompts here.

Joy Prompts (PDF)

Take a look at each one of the six elements of the Pink Box and then review the prompts. Record your insights. Don’t worry about making them perfect. Use your first instincts as to what brings you joy in each area of your life and then revisit your responses over several days. See what else comes up for you.

When you are ready, record your response on the Pink Box Tool. Keep this document very handy – post it on your bulletin board at home or display it in a visible place. When you are deciding how to spend your time, review it and pick the joy items you have already identified.

Joy Bandit Checklist – Eliminate What Steals Your Joy

Next, you need to have a way to recognize and eliminate the joy bandits that steal your joy. It is hard to live from joy if your joy tank is constantly being drained. Use the Joy Bandit Checklist to name these pesky bandits and evict them from your mind and heart.

Joy Bandit Checklist (PDF)

Seasonal Joy Selections – Create a Joy Plan for Each Season

Finally, the Seasonal Joy Selections are a fun and easy way to select what you will focus on to bring more joy into your life. Because I know it is too challenging to try and do all of the Pink Box items all of the time, I created these sheets to encourage you to pick 3-5 items from your Pink Box Tool each season that you want to and look forward to doing. These might be fresh foods, new ways to move your body, trips and getaways, or even relaxation rituals. Think about what you really love to do each season, write those items down, and post this reminder somewhere visible. Refer to it often during the season as you plan how to spend your time. Review these at the end of the year to remind you how much you did to bring joy and pleasure into your life.

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