We’re often hesitant to try new things.  But life is about discovery.  So why hang back?

Joyful Springers immerse themselves.  They jump into new things with such joy and exuberant expectation that they bury themselves in the fun of it all.

Don’t deprive yourself of the joy of finding a new passion.  Dive into the new and different.  You’ll be delighted by how good it will make you feel.

[Snickers is back. Darlene Hoffman's great guy knows how to dive in. ]

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The quality of anything you build depends on the quality of the materials you use.

Joyful Springers use quality wood.  They know that the core of their lives is the quality of their character and personality, and they put their personal excellence before any efforts they make.

Before you DO anything, BE the best person you can be.  No matter how much effort you exert, you can’t create quality unless your inner core (your wood) is as quality as you can make it.

[Rainy is back.  This lovely two-year old is the "Shop Foreman" in her parents', The Pyleks', door and moulding business, Centerpointe Millwork in Portland Oregon.  Rainy's momma, Karen, says Rainy “is in charge of quality control & morale. Does an excellent job. Great attitude! She's been our Employee of the Month for over a year now!”  I don't know about you, but if I needed doors or mouldings, I'd visit Centerpointe Millwork just to see their beautiful Foreman.  Or is that Forespringer?  ]

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Sometimes, it can feel like life is drying up around you.  Your motivation flattens.  How do you perk it back up?

Joyful Springers are the moisture.  They understand that by accepting the low points in life, they release pent up energy that can then burst forth into excitement for new adventures.

Not only nature has seasons.  You do too.  Allow yourself to “dry up” from time to time.  Be willing to accept slow and idle times.  When you do this, you’ll naturally access new wellsprings of enthusiasm and power.

[Pringles and Triscuit are back. This photo is their momma, Joan Howe's favorite, and you can sure see why!   Joan has a great photographer's eye--she saw a perfect Springer photo setting where others might just have seen dead grass. ]

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Sitting on the porch and letting “life go by” gets a bad rap; it’s considered a lazy thing to do.  But it’s not.

Joyful Springers perfect their porch pose.  They understand that sometimes, by letting life go by and just observing the patterns of the world around them, they put themselves in a better position to achieve.

If you allow yourself to get in the habit of stopping and watching now and then, you’ll discover you gain a far clearer and more centered perspective on your life.  From that perspective, you end up accomplishing more than if you barrel ahead and never plunk your butt on a porch.

[Mattie is back. This sweet and beautiful North Carolina girl loves to pose for the camera, on the porch or not.  Her momma, Brenda McGee, went out to take photos of her flowers, but Mattie stole the show. ]

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Who says it can’t be done?

Joyful Springers defy barriers.  They see obstacles merely as challenges that invite playful action.

Whatever is in your way isn’t permanent.  In fact, often, something that seems like a big deal is something you can easily knock over … or squirm under.  When you look past barriers instead of at them, you can figure out how to get to the other side of them.

[Pump is back.  Clearly, Helen & Rich Gibbons' clever girl understands that barriers are optional. ]

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No pain no gain.  Try harder.  Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.  (Who has bootstraps anymore?)  Do these sage bits of wisdom sound familiar?

We were trained to try and control what happens in our life with effort and struggle.  We were taught to fight and wrestle our problems.

Not everything we learn is good for us.

Joyful Springers go limp.  They give up the need to work so hard, to struggle, and to attempt to control every part of their lives.

When you trust things to work out and you follow inspired guidance, you’ll not only be more relaxed, you’ll have more success in everything you do.

[Lofty is back.This happy nine-year old boxer from England clearly hasn't a care in the world!  ]

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How long have you been planning to pursue your favorite passion or go on that vacation you’ve been talking about or learn that new skill?

Joyful Springers hit enter.  They ACT on their passions and ideas.

The key to moving forward with an idea you’ve had for a long time is to do it one little step at a time.  Take some small action today toward something you’ve been wanting for a long time and you’ll be amazed how the universe will respond to help you go the rest of the way.

[Max is back. Francine's adorable little Yorkie obviously has his paw all over hitting the right key to getting things done!]

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We do a lot of plodding through this life, don’t we?  And dragging too.  We plod through habitual routines and drag ourselves through things we don’t want to do.  We forget that the real fun isn’t in this plodding and dragging.  It’s in the leaping.

Joyful Springers have a kangaroo side.  They bound through life, vaulting toward this and bouncing toward that.  They know it’s when they catapult themselves with glee that they land in interesting and usually fun places.

It can be easy to stay in steadfast patterns, but today, why don’t you try a little kangaroo bounce?  Take some big step you’ve been thinking about but haven’t had the guts to do.  It doesn’t have to be a physical step.  It can be a big mental shift or intention too.  Take a leap and see if you don’t just discover new joy in your life.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful LAB/HOUND MIX.

[Zoey is back. This eight-year old hound/lab mix from Atlanta, Georgia is "a total love," according to her momma, Stacy Klesen.  Stacy says Zoey loves everyone and expects everyone to love her too.  She even "gets her feelings hurt if someone doesn't love on her."  Well, who wouldn't love this beautiful girl? Thanks, Zoey, for guest starring again on The Joyful Springer!]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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We do a lot of things we know aren’t good for us.  Can that change?  Sure.  We just have to get control of our thoughts.

Joyful Springers look away from temptation.  When some substance or action isn’t good for them, they turn their attention to something that is good for them.

Giving up a bad habit can be relatively simple when you get your mind involved.  Turn your attention to actions and situations that serve you, and the ones that don’t will simply fall away from lack of use.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Ducky wanted to rip into this bag as soon as we set it down.  It had one of her Christmas presents in it.  But she kept it together while we took a photo. ]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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Everyday, we live the results of seeds we planted in the past.  Some people call these results consequences.  Some people call them goals.  No matter what we call them, we have a choice in what we “pick.”  We can give our attention to the results of our mistakes or to the results of our thoughtful actions.

Joyful Springers harvest jubilance.  They choose to pay more attention to the nourishing things their past actions have created instead of lamenting the weeds of their mistakes.

Some of what you’re living today may not be what you want.  But what good does it do to beat yourself up about what you did to create what you don’t want?  Instead look at what you’ve created that you DO like.  Then go plant some more seeds like that to create more good things to harvest.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful IRISH SETTER MIX.

[Meet Max. This gorgeous seven-year old Irish setter mix from Bavaria, Germany is a pretty special guy.  His owner, Christina Hegele, says Max is not only incredibly playful, he’s a great listener: “He’ll tilt his head when you ask a question.”  She says he’s a great talker too.  When you imitate normal dog sounds, you can get him into a "conversation."  It’s obvious he’s a very happy fellow.  Thanks, Max, for being a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer.]

Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.

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