Joy Phenix's Blog

One of my friends lost everything she owned when her childhood home burned down. She was extremely grateful the family and the dog made it safely out, but she used to talk about how she wished she had some baby pictures. She’d talk about great it would be to have a single trinket from childhood; [...]

This week, Team Phenix hits a new watermark; by Friday there are less than 3,000 days before our daughter goes to college. That’s 428 weeks, or more importantly, 428 weekends. 107 months 8 years. Approximately.  But who’s counting?  We are! Oh yes, we’re counting.  We believe when you count the days, you’re more likely to [...]

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 [...]

One of the best compliments I’ve ever received was when someone said their family started playing the compliment game because of this post!  What high praise!!! Thanks so much.  For those of you who might have missed it, here’s a favorite Team Phenix game! *** REPOST*** I am reading a fantastic book by Bob Goff [...]

The most common response to today’s repost has been, “duh!”   Apparently LOTS of couples pick ineffective times to have deep meaningful conversations.  Is that a temptation for you?  Have a quick refreshed read on the 10-to-10 Rule! ***REPOST*** For the last handful of years, Billy and I have mentored a couple of small groups for [...]

The phone started vibrating on the table. I was at a business lunch and the woman across from me acted as if she didn’t hear the rattling, so I asked, “Do you need to get that?“ “No,” she said, “I’m in the middle of a conversation with you, so I don’t need to answer my [...]

I was VERY smart when I was 22 years old. So smart, in fact, you couldn’t teach me anything. Been there. Done that. We all have years days like that, right? Right? Well, anyway… during that “know it all year,” I distinctly remember being at a business lunch and being placed at the far end [...]

Ben Affleck’s 2013 speech at the Oscars has caused a stir because he thanked his wife, Jennifer Garner, for “working on our marriage for 10 Christmases,” saying, “It is work, but it’s the best kind of work.” Apparently transparency, at least about marriage, isn’t “appropriate” in a speech where you are thanking your wife. Some [...]

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” Queen Gertrude in Shakespeare’s Hamlet I’m not a huge Valentine’s Day fan. For years I wore all black on February 14th just to give a visual image of how much I disliked the day. I would say Valentine’s Day is for “rookies” who don’t know how to show [...]

“Don’t talk of stars, burning above If you’re in love, show me.” Alan Lerner, My Fair Lady My intentions are better than my reality. I want to be that patient, kind person behind the wheel of a car and I’m not. I’d love to be the parent who has a kind, wise response to squabbling [...]