Joy Phenix's Blog

“Social media has infected the world with a sickening virus called vanity.” Kellie Elmore Whether you commute to work on a plane, train, or automobile, there are unwritten rules the majority of people seem to follow specific to that environment. If you’re flying, please don’t keep loose change in your pocket and make others wait [...]

Be always lavish of your caresses, and sparing in your corrections. William Cavendish I received a text this weekend which was so kind, so heartfelt, and so flat-out encouraging, that I’m still awash in gratitude for the person who reached out to me. Can you recall when someone encouraged you in such a way? Maybe [...]

Congratulations!!!  You made it to Friday!!! The weekend’s ahead and I hope you get a day or two off. However, before you get too far away from the work week, take a few minutes and reflect on what happened in the previous 5-7 days.  After all, if Socrates was even slightly “onto something ” when [...]

“..(it) is not the life of simplicity but the life of multiplicity that the wise men warn us of. It leads not to unification but to fragmentation. It does not bring grace; it destroys the soul.” Anne Morrow Lindbergh There is a direct correlation between the complexity of my week and my attitude. When I [...]

Imagine you’re running late and have to swing through WalMart to pick up some milk, a child’s birthday gift, and a set of tires batteries. If you’re wired the way I am, you’re annoyed by the errand and slightly agitated. Then you walk through the door,  see the WalMart greeter, Willie, and everything changes. You [...]

Sometimes expressing your feelings and being “authentic” is over-rated. I think it’s better to fake courtesy even when you don’t feel like it. Here’s a reminder of why… *** REPOST *** If you’ve been routed through or stopped in the LA airport in the past 3-4 years, you’ve probably noticed that the place is stuck [...]

“How many slams in an old screen door? Depends how loud you shut it. How many slices in a bread? Depends how thin you cut it. How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live ‘em. How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give ‘em.” Shel Silverstein The other day [...]

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” Charles Dickens  Whatever your week has in store, there’s one sure way to make it better: forget about what YOU need and, instead, do something selfless for someone else. That’s it. Only two steps are required. 1. Look for a need. 2. [...]

‘I’m good enough,  I’m smart enough, and doggone it,  people like me.” Jack Handy I have a friend who is the first person to imagine the “worst case scenario” for any situation that crosses his path. Death – Disease – Embarrassment. He consistently comes up with reasons  why people will hate him, how he will [...]

“Seek opportunities to show you care. The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference.” Coach John Wooden Do you have the habit of discounting the impact you can make on someone’s life? Or, put another way, do you walk through your day thinking about and LOOKING for ways to make small gestures for others? On [...]