The past week and a half have been a whirlwind of celebrations. We recently returned from Pittsburgh, where we celebrated my daughter Ellie’s graduation from Point Park University. After four years of hard work and dedication, she’s earned her fine arts degree in dance. Now, she’s off to New York City to pursue her Broadway dreams, but not before spending the summer in New Hampshire performing in shows like Chicago and Legally Blonde.

It was a road trip filled with laughter, love, and precious memories. After that, we had the joy of keeping my grandbabies, Elijah and Noah, for a day, which is always a highlight of my week. And let’s not forget our early Mother’s Day celebration—pickleball in the driveway with my family, surrounded by the beautiful chaos of kids running around, getting dirty, and just enjoying life. My heart is full.

And to top it all off, my little prayer plant in my office is flourishing, just like the love and joy in my life right now. It’s these little things—the road trips, the family gatherings, the thriving plants—that fill my days with joy.

Now, let’s talk about how you can create this kind of joy in your life. After coaching thousands of women, I’ve learned that one of the biggest challenges we face, especially in midlife, is learning to live authentically. We’ve spent so much time being people pleasers, ignoring our own needs, and trying to be what we think others want us to be. But the truth is, the people in our lives—our kids, our spouses, our friends—just want us to show up as our true selves.

One of the most liberating lessons I’ve learned is that I am in charge of my own emotions. Not my circumstances, not the people around me, just me. And when I started showing up for myself—acknowledging my own feelings and needs—I found that not only did my life improve, but my relationships did too.

As our kids grow up and start creating their own lives, it’s easy to become over-invested in their journeys, sometimes at the expense of our own. I’ve learned to trust my children with their own lives, their own mistakes, and their own growth. Instead of over-functioning in their lives, I’ve focused on showing up for them in healthy, supportive ways, while also investing in my own joy and growth.

This shift in perspective has given me so much freedom. It’s allowed me to live my life fully, pursue my own dreams, and enjoy my relationships more deeply. And this, my dear friends, is what I hope you’ve taken away from this series on emotions: You have the power to create the life you want by choosing how you respond to your emotions and circumstances.

Joy is Always There, Waiting for You!

No matter what life throws at you, remember that joy is always there, like the sun behind the clouds. Even when life feels hard, know that the sun will shine again. You can choose to see the gifts every day, to believe that all is well, and to embrace the joy that’s waiting for you.

This is why we called the podcast House of Joy—because I want you to believe, deep down, that all is well. It’s a practice, a daily commitment to seeing the good, receiving the gifts, and believing that joy is always available to you.

As you go through life, remember that you get to design it. You get to create your favorite version of yourself now, with all the wisdom and experience you’ve gained. And guess what? Your best days are still ahead of you, no matter your age.

By setting goals, giving your mind something positive to focus on, and cultivating the emotions you want to experience, you can create a life that you truly love. Whether it’s improving your health, building financial success, or simply experiencing more joy, it’s all within your control.

So, I encourage you to see life as an adventure, to have fun with it, and to enjoy the process of creating your emotional life on purpose. Allow the negative emotions to pass, and get on with the business of receiving the joy that is yours to claim. Remember, God created you to experience joy. It’s a gift, and all you have to do is allow yourself to receive it.

Thank you so much for joining me in this series on emotions. I hope it has been a blessing to you, and that you’re inspired to create a life filled with joy and purpose. If you’ve enjoyed this series, I’d love it if you followed the podcast and left a rating or review—it helps other amazing people like you find us.

Until next time, keep believing that all is well, keep receiving the gifts, and keep creating the life you love.

Love you so much, Dr. Edie Wadsworth

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