Stuck at home? Your guide to finding joy despite any life challenges

Are you in lockdown? Is it driving you up the walls, or are you doing a mindset reset and looking for ways to love life more? Joy is a powerful antidote to boredom, frustration and stress.
Joy for me was hearing a Kiwi calling to her mate last night in the garden. How does joy show up for you?
Joy goes in all directions. It can be as tangible as a job or car or a house or as intangible as a dream or an idea. You could be joyful about anything:
• A cause
• Analyzing things
• Books
• Magazines
• Sports
• Clothes
• Computers
• The future
• A belief
• A movie star
• An idea
• Astrology
• Saving the planet
• Your family
• Music
• Meditation
• Running your own business
• Crocheting
• Knitting
• Butterflies
• Bees
• Writing romance novels
• Coffee
• Growing plants
• Mental health
• Joy!
Or something else.
What captures your interest and attention? List as many things as you can that you could be, or are, joyful, passionate, and purposeful about. Like me, you may discover that joy may be found at home.
This is an edited extract from How to Find Your Joy and Purpose: Four Easy Steps to Discover A Job You Want And Live the Life You Love.
To grab your eBook or Print copy from Amazon, click here>>getbook.at/FindYourJoy
To grab your copy from iBooks, Barnes & Noble and other great bookstores, click here>> https://books2read.com/u/bzoawZ
To grab your copy from Kobo, click here>>www.kobo.com/ebook/how-to-find-your-joy-and-purpose-1
Also available in audio.
What I’m working on now…
Having more time at home is fuelling my desire to write more children’s books that aren’t just for kids.
Recently I released Jojo Lost Her Confidence inspired by my daughter telling me recently she had lost her confidence. Coincidentally, the story is about staying in your own bubble and shining bright—and not giving your confidence away and hoping others are right.
Available in paperback, ebook, and audio (written and narrated by me!)
Amazon>>getbook.at/Jojo
iBooks and other great online bookstores here>> https://books2read.com/u/m2VJKR
Kobo>>https://www.kobo.com/ebook/jojo-lost-her-confidence
And last night I finished a draft of Lulu Is a Black Sheep. This book was inspired by the realisation that I too am a black sheep. I’ve never felt I belonged in my family. I was always, and still am, criticised, shunned, and blamed when I didn’t walk to their beat. Today, I will be narrating the audiobook, and next month I will release paperback, ebook versions.
Hearing the Kiwi call out last night, reminded me that Kiwis must feel the same. I love that they don’t try to change. They are birds that can’t fly and they’ve learned to adapt to stay alive.
This is the first time I have reached out to illustrators. My vision and goals are that these books provide inspiration, hope and healing for adults and children. I like the simplicity and fun of Dr Suess books, and also the Little Golden Books (littlegoldenebooks.com). But I also love the beauty of Jessie Burton’s The Restless Girls: A Dazzling, Feminist Fairytale https://www.amazon.co.uk/Restless-Girls-fairytale-bestselling-Miniaturist/dp/140888691X
Above all I want the illustrations to evoke beauty and joy.
If you are an experienced illustrator or know someone who is talented and experienced in illustrations of children and made-up birds and fantasy animals, and passionate about this area can you please message me (cassandra@cassandragaisford.com) and also provide a link to your website.

Have Your Lost Your Job? Or Worried You Could?
I know what this feels like. Last December a ‘witch’ fired me and another three child counsellors from our jobs. I was lucky I had diversified my career and had developed other income streams.
Be proactive. Start planning a way to have more freedom and control.
The following books will help:
Mid-Life Career Rescue Three Book Box Set
To grab your copy from Amazon, click here>> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EG1L3D6
To grab your copy from Kobo, click here>>https://www.kobo.com/ebook/mid-life-career-rescue-series-box-set-books-1-3-the-call-for-change-what-makes-you-happy-employ-yourself
Joy-Filled Creations
Enjoy some eye-candy and check out my Instagram feed, Youtube Channel and Cassandra’s Gallery to see some of the artworks I’m creating during COVID-19
Check out some of my videos where I share strategies and tips to stress less and love life more—http://www.youtube.com/cassandragaisfordnz
www.facebook.com/powerfulcreativity
www.instagram.com/cassandragaisford
www.youtube.com/cassandragaisfordnz
https://www.cgford.com/gallery/

Did you enjoy this post?
You might like:
How to be the rock that resists adversity—mind, body and soul food during COVID-19
Emotional alchemy—the spontaneous healing power of joy
Why Being Inspired Matters: The Spontaneous Fulfillment and Healing Power of Joy
Here are three more things you might like:
Interesting interviews: Listen to my best interviews on topics like overcoming obstacles, finding joy in adversity, following your passion to prosperity.
Online Course: Find Your Passion and Purpose with my best-selling self-paced course made for busy people.
Keynote speaking: Hire me to speak to your organization or team about Resilience, wellbeing, innovation, and motivation.
You can get more of my thoughts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
For personalized help schedule a session with Cassandra here >>
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Posted in: Achieving goals, Art & Creativity, Audiobooks, Blog, Career Change, children's personal and social issues, coping with personal problems, Counseling, How to Find Your Joy and Purpose, Latest News, love life more, Midlifecareerchange
Tags: anxiety, Changing careers, childrens books, creativity, Finding Joy, motivation, overcoming obstacles, Reinvention Stories, transformational super kids