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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A flag is a symbol.  It represents a quality, a belief, a resolve.

Joyful Springers carry a flag. They embody positive qualities, and their actions are the flag that lets others know what they stand for.

The U.S. flag stands for liberty.  What do you stand for?

Happy 4th!

[Meet Triscuit.  This gorgeous girl from Monroe, Wisconsin may not be all that interested in posing for pictures (according to her momma, Joan Howe), but she's sure good at it!  Joan says that Triscuit is a very independent dog, so it's fitting that she debut here on Independence Day.  Thanks, Triscuit, for being a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer.]

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We all make mistakes.  There’s no shame in it.  There is shame, however, in trying to pass off responsibility.  Pointing fingers at others, suing someone just because they have more money than we do even when we made the mistake, lying to ourselves or others about what we did–these paths are never justified.

Joyful Springers own their messes.  When they make a mistake, they step up and look others in the eye and say, “Yes, I did that.  I’m sorry.”

Be honest with yourself about things that go wrong in your life.  Is it really someone else’s fault?  Or could you perhaps take responsibility and make a change that will correct the situation?

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Ducky loves to tear up bags and boxes, and she's quite proud of the mess she makes.]

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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What’s the point in looking sincere if you aren’t?

Joyful Springers are as honest as they look.  The face they show the world is their true face.

Don’t play the innocent.  BE the innocent.  Go out into the world with integrity.  What you achieve in pureness of heart enriches both you and the world around you.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful CHOCOLATE LAB.

[Leo's back.  I'd believe anything this gorgeous guy had to tell me.  See more great pictures of Leo on his Facebook page.
Thanks, Leo, 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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Sometimes we act before we think, and we end up making big messes in the process.  Once we’ve made a mess we can’t clean up on our own, we try and talk our way out of it.  This way of living rarely works out all that well.  As author Stephen R Covey wrote, “You can’t talk your way out of what you’ve behaved yourself into.”

Joyful Springers behave into good things.  They act consistently with their values and their goals, so they don’t make messes they aren”t willing to clean up.

Sometimes you need to stir things up in order to get what you want, but before you start stirring, be sure you’re ready for the mess you’ll make in the process.  Act in ways that are consistent with your core ideals, and you’ll never have to talk your way out of anything.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Rainy's back, and she has her sister, Roxy, with her.  These sweet girls from Portland, Oregon, were 11 weeks old when this photo was taken.  Thanks, Rainy and Roxy, for guest starring 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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Edward R. Murrow said, “To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; credible we must be truthful.”  Want people to listen to you?  Tell the truth.

Joyful Springers practice sincerity.

You can look sincere all you want, but true sincerity comes from within.  Speak your truth.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer spaniel.

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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Commitment is one thing.  Feeling stuck is quite another.

When you are forcing yourself to be in a relationship or a job or anyplace else, you aren’t doing anyone a favor.

Joyful Springers refuse to be tied down.  They know the way to honor others is to be where they’re meant to be.

If you feel tied down, honor yourself and the people you’re “tied” to and choose to untie yourself.  You can do this by changing your perspective or changing the circumstances.  But change something.  No one likes a martyr.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer spaniel.

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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