Michele M. Larsen
Welcome to ISpyJoy.com!
I started this blog a few days before my 40th birthday as a gift to myself. It was almost a year to the day after I closed my dream business, Purple Turtle Press. When my publications for women in business went defunct, I felt as though I had, too. Putting way too much of my self-worth into the business, I became so depressed and embarrassed when it closed it was difficult for me to leave the house.
After reading lots of books and working on happiness and gratitude for months and months, I began to feel even better than I had before and I came to see this situation as a gift. It occurred to me that happiness is a choice, and it has a great deal to do with how we choose to see things. I was reminded of the I Spy game I played as a child, and thought I could begin a lifelong game of I Spy Joy. I started to look for joy at every opportunity. Sure enough, the more I looked for it, the more I found it.
This blog–which has morphed a bit since its inception–began as a way to chronicle my own journey toward happiness. My great hope is that it will also inspire others to constantly be on the look-out for joy, because we often find what we’re looking for.
I’d love to hear your stories about joy and see the happy images you’ve captured. If you feel like sharing, please send a line or two to michele at ispyjoy.com.
I Want Joy Email
Hi Michele,
Love your sincere and authentic approach to finding peace and happiness in your life.
Rolando
What a joyous, uplifting and beautiful site. I will recommend this to others and return often myself. Thanks for creating a little more happiness in the world (both in YOU and on the site).
Michele, I’ve been watching your ISPYJOY facebooks posts and have enjoyed them, but the wedding dance brought me to your blog. What a beautiful site! As I read each of your posts, I can see your big, genuine smiling lighting up your face!
Hi Michele,
I was sitting next to another Hough parent (Kristen) at baseball practice last night, and we cheered loudly as one of the kids hit a hard one between first and second, then cheered even harder when my son, with a surprised look on his face, CAUGHT it! Kristen said, “this should be on my friend’s blog!” I’ve seen you many times at Hough, and this morning as I drink my first cup of coffee, and check my email, I had to come take a look.
I will be putting a link to your blog on the top of my blogs I read, a link on Facebook and Twitter. Times are tough, and we all need more JOY!
Thank you for a great start to my day!!!
Hello Michele,
I was happy to come across your site today, after seeing your post on the Ode website. Watching that clip brought happy tears.
I will be checking back often!
Take care,
Michelle