Businessman and writer, David Weinbaum, said, “Sometimes you have to put your foot down to get a leg up.”

Joyful Springers get a leg up.  They adamantly and confidently face ahead to the next achievement and the next achievement in their lives.

If you sit back and let others tell you what you can and can’t do, you’ll never get where you want to go.  Bellying up to the truth of how magnificent you are will give you the leg up you need to achieve whatever you want to achieve.

[Kabobby Doll is back. This adorable sweetie is belongs to Stacy Klesen. It's obvious that he knows how cute he is!  He's all grown up now, but he's still as cuddly as ever.  ]

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Coach Vince Lombardi said,“Individual commitment to a group effort — that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

Joyful Springers team it up.  They understand that they multiply their personal energy tenfold when they combine it with others who are heading in the same direction they are.

Whatever you can do on your own you can do even better when you hook up with a friend or two.  If you have an idea for a new project or business, don’t hoard it.  Share it, and let the energy of a team carry it to places you never thought were possible.

[Pump and Butch are back, and they would like to introduce their new foster? brother, Jeter.  Jeter is an adorable "Springador" puppy.  He's a Springer/labrador mix.  Obviously, he quickly figured out how to be part of a team. I said Jeter is a foster? brother because that's the current plan, but Pump's and Butch's mom, Helen, said they've become pretty attached to the fella.  So we'll see.  ]

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Taoist philosopher Lao Tzu wrote, “A tree trunk the size of a man grows from a blade as thin as a hair.  A tower nine stories high is built from a small heap of earth.”

Joyful Springers touch the truth of the trunk.  They know that even if all they have now is a whisper of an idea or desire, that whisper can crescendo into the symphony of full creation.

Sometimes when our notions are nothing more than a murmur in our thoughts, it’s tempting to dismiss them as “pie in the sky” “impossible dreams.”  But every magnificent success starts as one of those insignificant murmurs.  When you live each day in awareness that your little thoughts can grow into big experiences, you get in touch with a power of creation that will help you achieve great things.

[Mattie's back!  Brenda McGee's gorgeous girl is obviously in "touch" with the truth of the trunk.    Actually, she's keeping an eye on critters in her yard, but she has a deeply philosophical side too.  ]

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So someone you know is taking a “crazy risk.”  What should you do?

Joyful Springers are a backstop.  They know it’s not for them to judge whether someone is making a good choice, but instead it is for them to provide support and encouragement to people going after a dream.

Even if your instinct is to warn your loved ones of potential disaster when they put themselves out there in life or love, keep those warnings to yourself.  Instead, offer a little understanding and a lot of faith.  Sometimes the difference between a person’s success or failure is having someone believe in them.

[Steeler is back.  And he's with his momma, Debbie's, grandson, Rylan (5 1/2 months old in the photo).  Steeler obviously knows how to be a backstop.  ]

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It would be nice if achievement was a simple three-step process:

1. Get an idea.
2.  Work hard.
3.  Get the result you want.

Unfortunately, life has a way of throwing up obstacles that take the simple out of that three-step process.  When this happens while we’re in the middle of step 2, we have a tendency to push harder to try to power on through to step 3.

Joyful Springers sit the bench once in awhile.  They understand that there’s another step in the process of having what they want.  That missing step is kicking back and allowing things to fall into place.

If you’ve been struggling to achieve something and you feel stuck, take a break.  Walk away from it.  Think about something else.  Give your ideas and effort a chance to settle into place while you sit back and take a breather.  Sometimes less turns into a whole lot more.

[Rudie and Jackie are back.  Rudie, about three months old in this photo, joined Jackie and her family in the early part of this year, and he clearly loves his new big sister! ]

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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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Author Jonathan Swift wrote, “The stoical scheme of supplying our wants by lopping off our desires, is like cutting off our feet when we want shoes.”

Joyful Springers get shoes.  They never, ever, ever make themselves feel better by giving up on their desires and “settling.”

You can appreciate what you have without giving up the desire for more.  In fact, loving your life will take you to the life you love.

[Mollie's back. This sweet rescue dog from England, who helps his momma Donna with her coaching business, clearly enjoys her shoe-stealing. ]

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We start out with big dreams, most of us.  Then life somehow convinces us that big dreams are a big waste of time.  Once we believe that, when we see an opportunity, we don’t have the courage to do anything about it.

Joyful Springers head right at it.  They see something they want, and they immediately believe they can have it, and they take inspired action to get it.

Is there something you want to do that you’re not allowing yourself to do because you’re afraid it won’t turn out the way you want it to?  Pretend for a moment that it WILL turn out the way you want.  See that outcome in your mind then head right at it.  If you focus on the fun of the romp toward your desires, you’ll be delighted by what you find at the end of your journey.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Mattie's back. This gorgeous, ready-for-adventure girl was all ready to play in the snow at the promise of a snow storm in her town of New Bern, North Carlina, but the snow storm turned into just a dusting.  That didn't stop Mattie from having a good time, though! Thanks, Mattie, 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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When we really want something, we often go to one of two extremes.  We either try too hard for it or we give up and fall back in retreat.

Joyful Springers put their back into it.  They know that getting what they want requires a balance of inspired action (not intense struggle) and continued commitment no matter what.

Achieving your desires can’t be done with force and too much discipline. Nor can it be done by giving in.  Combine persistent focus on your goal with relaxed action that comes from inspiration, and you can get where you want to go.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Stoney and Steeler are back.  Six-year old Steeler is mellow these days after some health issues, his momma says, but he's managing to keep up with his half-brother, Stoney, now 8 months old (Stoney was 3 months old in this picture).  This adorable pair lives in Texas with their sister, Stella Luna.  Thanks, Stoney and Steeler 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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Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “We fancy men are individuals; so are pumpkins; but every pumpkin in the field goes through every point of pumpkin history.”

Joyful Springers remember pumpkin history.  They know that everyone started as a seed before growing into something magnificent, so they accept where they are in the growth cycle.

No one, no matter how successful or rich, is better than you.  Everyone started in the same pumpkin patch.  Have faith that you have what it takes to grow into anything you want to be.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Mattie's back.  Mattie wasn't a huge fan of posing with this scary cat, but she's a good sport.  She's used to her momma, Brenda, taking hundreds of photos. Thanks, Mattie, 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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