Joy Phenix's Blog

In my office building is a woman who is about my age and is the consummate fashion plate. She’s always sporting the best shoes (a Tory Burch wedge with peep toes is my current favorite), a hip bag, and perfectly tasteful jewelry.  She has an air of self assurance that I appreciate and a fashion [...]

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”  – Ralph Waldo Emerson I was at my cousin Laura’s wedding this past weekend and heard the nicest compliment.  At the rehearsal dinner, Laura’s sister gave a toast saying that what she learned most from her [...]

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”   – Maya Angelou A few weeks ago some former colleagues came over for dinner and s’mores, and we spent a great night catching up on what felt like a far [...]

When I think about people who worry A LOT, one friend of mine (let’s call him “Sam”) comes immediately to mind.  He worries about anything and everything. You know the type.  If there’s anything one can imagine going wrong, Sam has thought about it and built a contingency plan for it.  He is the target [...]

I recently had lunch with a former colleague who is getting beat up at work. Through a series of twists and turns, she has ended up reporting to someone who fits the “Micro-manager” definition to a tee.  You know those types of people, right?  Perhaps they pride themselves on their perfectionism or on making OTHERS [...]

A couple of years ago Andrew Young, the famed Civil Rights leader and former Mayor of Atlanta, spoke at my husband’s staff meeting.  I wasn’t there, but heard about Mr. Young’s talk from several people who were in attendance.  Everyone was greatly impressed by his humility, approachability, and, most of all, his wisdom.  One story [...]

Once upon a time… The phrase makes you want to know what’s next, doesn’t it? I think it’s amazing how people are universally attracted to a great storyline. We are hardwired to enjoy a good narrative.  We are drawn into stories where large and small events convey meaning and significance. In our lives, whether  it [...]

“There is always the temptation in life to diddle around making itsy-bitsy friends and meals and journeys for years on end. It is all so self conscious, so apparently moral…But I won’t have it. The world is wilder than that in all directions, more dangerous…more extravagant and bright. We are…raising tomatoes when we should be [...]

When I use the expression “he can’t see the forest for the trees,” I mean that person is so detail-oriented that he misses the big picture.  I use this saying frequently at work because, quite frankly, I like seeing forests.  I would rather not look at the trees (which are the more detailed points of [...]

How do you work through your fears? Do you talk to yourself? Do you pace? Do you look to others for reassurance? If you’re a parent, how do you help your child work through their fears?  Do you cheer, cajole, or coerce?  Check out this video to see a 9-year-old muster up her courage to [...]