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JOYanne

Joyblz! Cultivate Gratitude with Boodlz

Cultivate Gratitude with Boodlz

By Jolt of Joy

Welcome to our “Jolt of Joy” newsletter. Last week, Boodlz shared ways to mindfully explore nature’s beauty. We hope that you took some time to enJOY nature. As Thanksgiving is approaching, it seems fitting to examine the power of expressing gratitude in our daily lives. This week we are going to discover ways to be more grateful. So, let’s explore how to cultivate gratitude with Boodlz!

My grandmother always had a warm smile and a focus on what is truly important in this life. Ever since I was a young child, I remember her saying, “Lick your fingers!” Taken literally, it’s probably not the best advice for these pandemic times! However, she was referring to savoring every moment, being grateful, and teaching me to appreciate what I have.

This attitude of gratitude practice is something that I have been following my entire life. I was inspired to create a colorful drawing, shown above, highlighting some of the things for which I am grateful. Continue reading to learn some tips for practicing gratitude and to watch an uplifting short video about being thankful for the gift of this day…

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Explore Nature’s Beauty with Boodlz - Joyblz Artichoke Flower

Explore Nature’s Beauty with Boodlz

By Jolt of Joy

Welcome to our “Jolt of Joy’ newsletter. Last week, you met Boodlz and she shared ways to enJOY this moment. We hope that you did some fun activities to be more present. This week, in addition to announcing the winner of the Joyblz! coloring contest, we are going to use mindfulness techniques to connect with nature. So, let’s explore nature’s beauty with Boodlz!

I got a head start and walked around my neighborhood, bringing my awareness to the many sights, sounds, and smells. Spending time outside in nature was very peaceful and relaxing. I was in awe of the spiny, neon violet looking puffball, pictured above, that caught my eye. When I gazed down, it looked like a brand-new Koosh ball or some type of sea anemone. I couldn’t resist running my hands across it. Would you like to know what this is, view the winning entry, and explore mindful ways to enJOY nature?

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EnJOY this Moment with Boodlz

EnJOY this Moment with Boodlz

By Jolt of Joy

Welcome to our “Jolt of Joy” newsletter. Last week, we featured the benefits of coloring with Artistlz and held a coloring contest. Thank you to everyone that has participated, and for those who haven’t yet, you still have another week! The Joyblz! character named Boodlz is now in the spotlight and will be featured all this month. You’ll learn more about her and her gifts. This week, she’s excited to share ways to be more present (mindful) in your daily life. So, let’s learn how to enJOY this moment with Boodlz!

We all know that we should slow down and enJOY life more. I grew up hearing these words: “Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think, Enjoy yourself, while you’re still in the pink, The years go by, as quickly as a wink, Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it’s later thank you think.” It’s the refrain from Guy Lombardo’s version of the popular song, Enjoy Yourself (It’s Later Than You Think), that my mother and grandmother would sing to me all the time. I still can hear their voices when I read the lyrics and it makes me smile! It’s a great reminder to live every day and appreciate the present moment.

I was inspired to draw a beautiful flower that is shown in the image above. The inner petals of my flower show the activities that help me enJOY this moment, and the outer petals convey words that remind me how to be more mindful. Continue reading to learn more about Boodlz and how you can enJOY this moment…

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Coloring with Artistlz

Coloring with Artistlz

By Jolt of Joy

Welcome to our weekly “Jolt of Joy” newsletter. This is Artistlz’ last week in the spotlight; Boodlz will be featured all next month. This week we will learn about the benefits of coloring. Since it is so fun and relaxing, we are hosting a coloring contest and look forward to having you JOYn us! You’ll get a chance to color in a new Joyblz! character and win a free sticker of your choice. So, pull out your crayons, colored pencils, and markers and start coloring with Artistlz!

The image above shows my attempt at coloring in an owl from an adult coloring book that a friend gave me. I found the exercise to be very meditative. It reminded me of all the hours I spent as a child with my crayons and coloring books. I have such fond memories of my mother displaying my artwork on the refrigerator. I also enjoyed participating in the local grocery store’s coloring contests. Continue reading to JOYn our coloring contest and learn more about the benefits of adult coloring …

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Jump Start Your Creativity with Artistlz - 30 Circle Challenge

Jump-Start your Creativity with Artistlz

By Jolt of Joy

Welcome to the seventh “Jolt of Joy” newsletter. Last week, Artistlz suggested ways to tap into your inner child. We hope that you were inspired and took some time to play! This week, we want to help ignite your creativity by doing some fun warm-up activities from bilateral drawing to doodling. So, get ready to jump-start your creativity with Artistlz!

I believe that creativity and the ability to innovate are like muscles — the more we use them, the stronger they get. By doing some creative warm-up activities first, we can open our minds, stretch our imaginations, defer judgments, and inspire innovation.

One way to get warmed up is to do the 30 Circles Challenge. The above image shows what ideas I came up with while doing the challenge. Continue reading to learn more about this activity, download your own 30 Circles template, and try it for yourself …

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Tap into your Inner Child with Artistlz

Tap into your Inner Child with Artistlz

By Jolt of Joy

Welcome to the sixth “Jolt of Joy” newsletter. Last week, Artistlz shared some ways to get your creative juices flowing. We hope that you were inspired and did something creative. This week, we want you to let go of any self-judgment and worry and let your inner child’s creativity flow through you. It’s time to tap into your inner child with Artistlz!

Have you ever watched children draw, paint, or play pretend? It’s so magical, and to them anything is possible! They don’t have any anxiety about what they’re creating, who’s watching, or what the final product is going to be. Unfortunately, we lose that ability as we get older. We worry about what people are going to think. We get so wrapped up in what our creation will look like when it’s done that we prevent ourselves from even making the first mark. Ultimately, the best thing you can do to get your creative thoughts flowing is to reconnect with your inner child.

This past week, I did just that! One of my favorite toys when I was child was Spirograph and I loved drawing “weird spirals” using two circles (one inside the other). I set any inhibitions aside, let loose, and drew all kinds of colored spirals on my iPad. The image shown above is what I created. It felt so good to let my inner child come out and play! Continue reading to discover ways in which you can reconnect with your inner child to spark your creativity…

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Let your Creativity Flow with Artistlz - Create Small

Let your Creativity Flow with Artistlz

By Jolt of Joy

Welcome to the fifth “Jolt of Joy” newsletter. Last week, Bubblz and I asked you to put on your “JOY glasses” and look for things that brought you JOY! We hope that you experienced many joy-full moments! The Joyblz! character named Artistlz is now in the spotlight and will be featured all this month. You’ll learn more about him and his gifts. This week, he’s excited to help you get your creative juices flowing. So, have some fun and let your creativity flow with Artistlz!

I got a head start and made the “Create” artwork posted above after being inspired by Artistlz. Look closely at the word “Create”. Do you think those color-full balls are marbles? I’ll give you a few hints; they grow when water is added, are very squishy, and aren’t made from glass! Continue reading and I’ll reveal what they are and more about Artistlz …

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Put on your JOY glasses with Bubblz

Put on your “JOY glasses” with Bubblz

By Jolt of Joy

Welcome to the fourth “Jolt of Joy” newsletter. Last week, Bubblz asked you to cheer yourself on! We hope that you enJOYed being your own cheerleader. Rah! Rah! This is Bubblz’ last week in the spotlight. Artistlz will be featured in October and has already started sharing his creativity by launching a new 3″ vinyl sticker collection available in the Joyblz! shop.

Joy-full Activity for this week

Your joy-full activity for this week is to go on a treasure hunt for JOY and there’s no map since JOY can be found everywhere. So, put on your “JOY glasses” with Bubblz and start looking for everything that brings you JOY!

In honor of Bubblz’ last appearance, I couldn’t resist wearing some brightly colored pom-poms on my head! I hope seeing the photo above made you smile and laugh. But why am I wearing large purple “JOY glasses”? What exactly are “JOY glasses”, you may ask? Continue reading to find out …

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