The last post focused on the importance of tenacity.  So how can you be tenacious?  Scottish writer, Eileen Caddy describes the process well: “Stride forward with a firm, steady step knowing with a deep, certain inner knowing that you will reach every goal you set yourselves, that you will achieve every aim .”

Joyful Springers stride forward.  They understand that it is a conviction of success that allows them to keep going even when the going gets challenging.

Never go after a goal you want but don’t think you can achieve.  Before you take action, be sure the truth that you can have what you want  replaces all doubts.  Then run with that truth, all the way to the success you want.

[Ducky, aka Commando Ducky , is now striding forward (with the help of her brace) on the beach, off leash finally!! after a nearly year long rehab following an ACL injury.  It's such a joy to see her stepping out again!]

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Millions of people make New Years resolutions.  Many of them are already giving up.

Joyful Springers have a little tenacity.  They hang onto their desire even when obstacles are yanking them away from what they want.

Just because something’s trying to keep you from grasping your goal doesn’t mean it’s time to give up the goal.  Hang onto it.  Hold the vision.  When you do, you’ll have the energy and the focus you need to keep any resolution you make.

[Sweet Pea and Poppy are back.  Poppy was still a pup in this photo, but she's creeping up on a year now.  Clearly, she learned early on how to be tenacious. ]

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“I’m freaking out,” is a refrain we hear way too often these days.

Joyful Springers chill.  They know the fastest way to “unfreak” is to forget all about whatever upset them and instead do something fun or relaxing.

You can never truly solve a problem from “freak out” mode.  When you’re stressed, you don’t have access to the flow of wisdom that brings solutions.  So when you’re facing a problem, take some time to kick back and find your feel good.  When you do, you’ll be amazed at how easily things cool off and fall into place.

[Jackie is back. This lovely girl moved to Illinois last winter and quickly got the hang of how to "chill." ]

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A lot of us try to control our lives and the lives of those around us,  We put an enormous amount of effort into getting things to go our way.  But we’re fighting a losing battle because our world isn’t supposed to be homogenous.

Joyful Springers are part of the contrast.  They understand that they live in a universe of opposites — of black and white, good and bad — and it’s the balance of those opposites that creates the beauty and wonder of life.

Instead of trying to fit in or get the world around you to fit some standard you’ve chosen, how about just letting things unfold as they will?   When you do this, you trust the Divine Force of our universe to take all the delightful contrast and create a perfect balance.

[Ritz is back.  Isn't Joan Howe's beauty gorgeous in the snow? ]

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Trends and fads happen when a whole society is encouraged to focus on something in particular.  Often, if we choose to look another way, we’re labeled as “out of it” or “old-fashioned” or “backwards.”

Joyful Springers fixate their own way.  They don’t care about how others label them, and they don’t care about trends.  They follow their inner guidance wherever it leads.

When you let the outside world tell you what to pay attention to, you’re giving away your power.  You have a divine strength within you that knows what you need to focus on.  Trust that guidance.

[Pump and Butch and Marty are back.  Their momma, Helen Gibbons, probably wanted a nice face-forward photo, but Butch and Marty chose their own focus.  Good for them! ]

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Ancient Roman poet, Horace wrote, “It is courage, courage, courage, that raises the blood of life to crimson splendor. Live bravely and present a brave front to adversity.”

Joyful Springers wrap themselves in crimson splendor.  They leap into every new year with the courage to create wonder in their lives.

You can go into 2012 timidly, afraid of what goes wrong.  Or you can prance into 2012 courageously, knowing you always have the power to transform wrongs into rights.

[Sweet Pea is back.  She looks gorgeous in crimson, doesn't she? ]

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In the new year, Joyful Springers resolve to focus on things that make them feel good. They know that what they focus on expands. 

When you look for joy, you find it.

Happy New Year!!

[Ducky loves watching YouTube videos that feature dogs, so that's what she focuses on.  ]

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New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and other parties are great, but why wait for a get-together to have a good time?

Joyful Springers are their own party.  They know how to make every day a celebration.  They do it by combining appreciation with a focus on finding what’s right about the world around them.

As you start this new year, forget typical resolutions that you’ll probably forget about within a few weeks.  Instead, set a simple intention to go through the year in “party mode.”  Celebrate your world everyday with appreciation and the desire to find the good in your life.

May your New Year be filled with pawsitively joyful tail-wags!

[Ruffles is back. Joan Howe says her sweet girl was very brave about balloons.  And obviously, she knew how to be the star of her own party! ]

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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 presents have been opened.  Did you get what you wanted?  Or are you wishing for something else?

Joyful Springers use what they get.  They may have wants that haven’t yet been fulfilled, but in the meantime, they have a ball with whatever they have received from the universe (and from their loved ones).

The truth is you’ll never get everything you want because part of life is generating new desires all the time.  So never lament what you haven’t gotten.  Just have fun with what you did get.  When you do, more will be on its way to you in no time.

[Mattie's back.  Brenda's lovely girl obviously understands how to get the most enjoyment out of what she gets.  ]

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