Anyone who has a past without failure or disappointment in it is … well, probably a robot.  Unfortunately, though, too many of us let memories of past missteps keep us from moving head with new ventures.

Joyful Springers floor it.  Instead of focusing on what has gone wrong, they look up toward what could go right and then they go full speed ahead when they set a new goal.

You can be all hang dog about what hasn’t gone your way before.  Or you could be bright-eyed about what just might go your way now.  Try picking the bright-eyed attitude.  You’ll find it revs up that go-for-it motor so you can zip toward what you want in life.

[Meet Leila.  This adorable three year old, three pound Yorkie is Max's new adopted sister.  (Remember Max the Yorkie from Texas?)  Max's and Leila's momma, Francine says that Max is being a good boy and tolerating his new sister.  How could you not love that face?  ]

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We see them all the time.  They come out of nowhere and seem to attain success “overnight.”  We’ve been working at our goals for years, and then they get what we want without seeming to even try.  What’s up with that?

Joyful Springers accept the upstarts.  They know that the newcomers who have big success aren’t taking away their chances of success.  They see upstarts as indicators of their own soon-to-be triumphs.

There’s enough triumph and prosperity for everyone.  When it seems like it comes “too easily” for others, remember it can come that easily to you too.  When you can be happy for the upstarts, you shift your energy to attract some of the same great experiences to you.

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

[Meet Zoey (the dog), Kabobby Doll (the gray and white kitty), and Nikki Shish (the black kitty).  This adorable trio belongs to Stacy Klesen, and they all live in harmony in Atlanta, Georgia.  Zoey is an eight-year old lab/hound mix (with maybe a little Rottweiler and Shepherd thrown in).  The hound is for sure, as evidenced by Zoey's occasional yodeling.  Kabobby and Nikki were just a few weeks old when this photo was taken in September last year.  Zoey, who Stacy says is "all about the love" has graciously accepted her new kitten brothers.  Thanks, Zoey, Kabobby, and Nikki, for being Guest Stars 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 often go out of our way to avoid failure.  We hate failure so much, we don’t let ourselves even try things that might not turn out the way we want.

Joyful Springers know it’s okay to flop.  They have no problem with failure because failing helps them learn.  Every time they fail, they have a better idea of what they need to do to succeed.

Don’t hold yourself back because you’re afraid of failure. Give yourself permission to fail spectacularly.  Grand successes can’t grow out of the unseeded ground of doing nothing.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful Boxer.

[Meet Murph. This six-year old boxer is Helen Gibbons' (Pumpkin's, Butch's, and Angel Riley's momma) nephew's rescue dog.  Murph is a poster dog for boxer rescue, and he's clearly one relaxed fellow. Thanks, Murph, 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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Architect Harold Taylor said, “The roots of true achievement lie in the will to become the best that you can become.”

Joyful Springers create roots.  Although they understand they’re worthy just as they are, they make it priority to better themselves every single day.

What can you do today to be a little better than yesterday?  Just because you’re okay as you are (and you ARE more than okay) doesn’t mean you can’t get better and better.  Look for ways to grow each day, and you’ll put down the roots of true achievement.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Stoney is  back (at 5 1/2 months old).  He definitely knows how to create roots--the spot in the photo, according to his momma, is his favorite place. Thanks, Stoney, 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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Climbing the steps to success can be tough work.  We need to be sure we make it as easy for ourselves as we can.

Joyful Springers support themselves.  They lay a foundation of people and systems that help them reach their goals.

Before you go after a big goal, be sure you have a self-support system in place.  Create a way to relax, a way to learn, and a way to network with other like-minded people.  When you support yourself in this way, you can achieve anything.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Meet Rommy, aka Scrappy.  This adorable five-month old boy lives in Columbia, South Carolina with his parents David and Leila Morris.  Leila, who is "Grandma" to Nana, volunteers for English Springer Spaniel Rescue.  She says about this photo, "Rommy was playing really hard outside in a puddle of water he found, but he took the time to pose for this picture."  She says it's their favorite picture of him.  "He took the time to give a lifetime gift to the ones that love him." Thanks, Rommy, 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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So your competitor is kicking up his heels in triumph because of his huge sales.  Your neighbor is preening over a new car.  Your sister is showing off her new boyfriend.  It seems like all around you, people are making a splash, and you’re feeling left out.

Guess what?  You don’t need to worry about their successes.  Other people’s achievements can’t detract from your own.

Joyful Springers make their own splash.  They don’t care if others are doing bigger and better things because they know that their own thing is good enough if they just stick with it.

When you look at others’ accomplishments and envy or resent them, you take energy away from your own endeavors.  Your dream is just as important and just as viable as those of the people you see around you.  Claim your own spot in the ocean of abundance.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Muggins didn't let her yellow lab friend, Buck's wild exuberance intimidate her ... much.]

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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Thomas Edison said, “The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.”

Joyful Springers develop stick-to-itiveness at an early age.  They hang onto their dreams and goals.

If there’s something you want, clamp onto it and don’t let go.  If you remain true to your vision, you will achieve success.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.

[Ben is back.  In this photo, Ben, Sophie's half-brother, was sacking out to catch up on sleep after spending a few days on the farm with his grandparents in the UK.  Thanks, Ben, 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.

If you have contacted me regarding a submission and haven’t heard from me within 48 hours, please contact me again.  I’ve had a couple of my replies returned to me, perhaps because of a mistyped e-mail address.  I’m NOT ignoring anyone.  If you contact me, I reply.  So please try again.

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Margaret Thatcher said, “People think that at the top there isn’t much room. They tend to think of it as an Everest. My message is that there is tons of room at the top.”

Joyful Springers get on top.  They find creative ways to capture the high perch of success.

It’s wide open at the top.  You just have to find your open space and claim it.

… 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.

If you have contacted me regarding a submission and haven’t heard from me within 48 hours, please contact me again.  I’ve had a couple of my replies returned to me, perhaps because of a mistyped e-mail address.  I’m NOT ignoring anyone.  If you contact me, I reply.  So please try again.

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Motivational author and speaker Jim Rohn said, “Success is steady progress toward one’s personal goals.” Notice he didn’t say success was reaching the goals.  Success is just forward movement toward your goals.

Joyful Springers stay steady on toward their goals.  They know that as long as they’re still moving toward their desires, they’re deserving of the treats due to the successful.

You may not yet have stacked your achievements as high as you’d like, but as long as you’re still reaching for those heights, call yourself a success.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful GREATER SWISS MOUNTAIN DOG.

[Stacey Mae Mountain is back.  Stacey is a three-year old Greater Swiss Mountain Dog whose proud momma is Maria Mandel.  Stacey is so good at networking that she has over 5000 friends on Facebook.  You can visit her on her Facebook fan page and also see her in action on her Youtube channel. Thanks, Stacey, 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.

If you have contacted me regarding a submission and haven’t heard from me within 48 hours, please contact me again.  I’ve had a couple of my replies to returned to me, perhaps because of a mistyped e-mail address.  I’m NOT ignoring anyone.  If you contact me, I reply.  So please try again.

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Sometimes it can seem like getting from where we are to where we want to be is like swimming across an endless sea.  We know what we want, but in all the work and effort, we start losing sight of our destination. We can’t see the shore anymore.

It’s so tempting to stop paddling and give up. But triumph waits for us if we can keep going.

Joyful Springers stick to it. They know that enjoying the process will eventually lead them to the shore of success.

… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer spaniel.

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