Joyful Heart Mentoring

"Joy and laughter are the gifts of living in the presence of God and trusting that tomorrow is not worth worrying about. … Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day." ~ Henri Nouwen Greetings! Joy, laughter, and connection await you. I know that isn’t always easy to believe. Anger and despair used to be the only emotions I could feel, recognize, and express. One day, as my marriage was falling apart, I found myself behind a locked bathroom door with scissors in my hand. The plan was to commit suicide. I couldn’t see another way out or through. I was in so much pain. I was angry with my spouse and angry with God. How could He have led me to this when I was a good person? I blamed Him for my circumstances. Before I thoroughly committed to my intended course of action, thoughts of my children flashed through my mind. I couldn’t leave them with that last horrific scene of their mother as, potentially, the only memory they carried into their futures. Nor, would I leave them with a man who didn’t have the capacity to care about anyone but himself. Thoughts of my children spared me that day and others since. Though I didn’t know how I would make it through, I knew I had to find the way for them. Meanwhile, I still felt so much anger and had scissors at the ready, so my head lost all of its hair that day. After that turning point experience, I began to “pack my wagon” and take steps to get out of the marriage that was killing me. I didn’t recognize myself anymore. I had no hobbies, no friends, no income, no freedom. Realizing I had lost myself and worried that my children would be adversely affected by my anger and despair for the rest of their lives, I began a journey of rediscovery and seeking help. I attended groups for spouses of sexual addicts and for healing from trauma. I signed up for personal therapy and cycled through a number of therapists that employed DBT, CBT, EFT, EMDR, and a whole lotta other acronyms! I learned so much from these groups and therapies that I began sharing and teaching what I was learning to others. I could see so many who were stuck where I had been, and I was on a mission to fix them. Though I didn’t realize it at the time, that was not the way to share what I was learning. Besides, I was still missing something. I still had not identified joy in my life. In fact, I had told one of my therapists, “I’ve never felt joy. I wouldn’t know it if it came to me.” Through a series of awe-inspiring events that I know could have only been orchestrated by heaven and a loving God, I met Ann Ferguson. Ann introduced me to her program and invited me to join her. I’m so glad I signed up for and gave my 100% to the Joyful Heart Mentoring experience I had with Ann. It was there that I discovered many other missing pieces of myself. I learned my tendency type (Questioner). I made friends and found my tribe. And, beyond my wildest imagination, I began to recognize, cultivate, and spread JOY. I acquired an understanding of the similarities and differences between teachers, coaches, and mentors, and why the way I had been teaching others was not helpful to any of us. Most importantly, I realized my desire, ability, and skills to mentor within this divinely inspired opportunity. Everything I learned and experienced here has blessed my life immeasurably. It is time for me to pay forward to you the amazing opportunity I received. Welcome. I’m thrilled to level up with you as I get to know you inside and out of our Joyful Heart Mentoring experience together.