Create Joy

This is the last episode of the season! Thank you so much for all your support. We will be back on the podcast with the very first episode of season 2 on January 13th, but until then I will still be hanging out on Instagram every so often.

In elementary school my teachers had this poster on the wall that said “Everything I need to know, I learned in Kindergarten.” I think I only got a tenth of the way through it, because there were just so many words on it, but today I applied that same message to episode 15 as I talked about how I applied 1st grade lessons to Christmas. Here is a spoiler: you deserve to enjoy Christmas too.

What’s it all about?

Here are the top 3 tips:

1. Edit Down to the Most important

Remember when you (or your kids) tried to learn how to write? This point is based on that (fun) experience.

2. There is a difference between a want and a need

Stick to the needs - appreciate the wants.

3. There is a difference between a fact and an opinion

Don’t let other’s opinions of what you “should” do control your happiness.

Create Joy Challenge

The Create Joy challenge for the next few weeks it to do what you need to do to have the best Holiday Season ever - your way.

Thank you

Thank you again for all of your support and love as we wrap up Season 1 of the podcast. It has been so fun to spend this time with you and to be a part of a growing community. I appreciate you more than I have the words to describe.

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This is part 2 of my interview with Javier Gandara. Just a quick recap… in part 1, epsiode 13, he talked about his upbringing, about how life is not fair, and that’s OK, and about walking 6 hours home from school passing out resumes because he did not have the equivalent of $0.25 to pay for a bus ticket back home. He talked about how his family of 7 all shared one mattress on a concrete floor, and about some really key moments in his life that helped him to set a different path for his future.

This week we get to see all of those struggles start to pay off, as we learn why rejection is important, how an outburst from a teacher changed everything, and some motivation for reaching our own big dreams. I am so excited for you to learn from him.

Create Joy Challenge

This week’s create joy challenge is to dream big.

Your present does not define your future… unless you let it. It may not feel like you have all the advantages necessary to do those big things, and you probably don’t. But that is OK. You know why? I think Thomas S. Monson said it best: “The future is as bright as your faith.” You may not have the resources or the connections or whatever you are telling yourself that is keeping you from your dream… but you have something bigger. You have the potential to have God on your side, and “with God all things are possible.” Mathew 19:26

So Dream Big, Pray Hard, and Work towards that goal every single day. Then reach the top of that mountain and enjoy the view while you set your next goal. You can do this!

Connect with Create Joy Podcast on

Website createjoypodcast.com

Instagram @createjoypodcast

Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast

Quotes from Episode

“Do not make small goals because they do not have the magic to stir men's souls.” - Spencer W. Kimball

“The future is as bright as your faith.” - Thomas S. Monson

“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Mathew 19:26

“Success is not a matter of luck. Success is a matter of numbers, probability, and statistics.” - Javier Gandara

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/createjoypodcast/message

This is part 2 of my interview with Javier Gandara. Just a quick recap… in part 1, epsiode 13, he talked about his upbringing, about how life is not fair, and that’s OK, and about walking 6 hours home from school passing out resumes because he did not have the equivalent of $0.25 to pay for a bus ticket back home. He talked about how his family of 7 all shared one mattress on a concrete floor, and about some really key moments in his life that helped him to set a different path for his future.

This week we get to see all of those struggles start to pay off, as we learn why rejection is important, how an outburst from a teacher changed everything, and some motivation for reaching our own big dreams. I am so excited for you to learn from him.

Create Joy Challenge

This week’s create joy challenge is to dream big.

Your present does not define your future… unless you let it. It may not feel like you have all the advantages necessary to do those big things, and you probably don’t. But that is OK. You know why? I think Thomas S. Monson said it best: “The future is as bright as your faith.” You may not have the resources or the connections or whatever you are telling yourself that is keeping you from your dream… but you have something bigger. You have the potential to have God on your side, and “with God all things are possible.” Mathew 19:26

So Dream Big, Pray Hard, and Work towards that goal every single day. Then reach the top of that mountain and enjoy the view while you set your next goal. You can do this!

Connect with Create Joy Podcast on

Website createjoypodcast.com

Instagram @createjoypodcast

Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast

Quotes from Episode

“Do not make small goals because they do not have the magic to stir men's souls.” - Spencer W. Kimball

“The future is as bright as your faith.” - Thomas S. Monson

“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Mathew 19:26

“Success is not a matter of luck. Success is a matter of numbers, probability, and statistics.” - Javier Gandara

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

In part 1 of 2 of Javier’s story, he shares about  growing up with very little in Mexico. He talks about the hard times, his parent’s sacrifices, some turning points, and why the word “mushroom” plays a big part in his life story.

Create Joy Challenge

This week’s #createjoychallenge is to resist the urge to become discouraged and instead find the “areas of opportunity” in your hardships

LIfe might seem unfair… in many ways, but as Javier mentions, it is not only unfair for you. It is unfair for everyone. Realize this, and do what you can to move your life in the direction that you want it to go. You might be amazed at what you can accomplish when you stop feeling sorry for yourself.

Connect with Create Joy Podcast on

Website createjoypodcast.com

Instagram @createjoypodcast

Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast

Quotes from Episode

”The earlier you realize that life is not fair, that things are not just going to be rosy for everyone and that it is up to you to change the situation and to make things better… the easier it is to empower yourself.” - Javier Gandara

“Hard work beats everything.” - Javier Gandara

“The more you learn how to learn, the more you love to learn.” - Javier Gandara

Interesting Fact on Mexico’s Economy

As of January 2019, Minimum wage in Mexico is 102.67 pesos per day, which with the exchange rate on the day of recording is

$5.28 per day. =

$31.68 per week (working 6 days a week)

$136.224 per month

$1,635 per year

According to the INEGI, National Institute of Statistics and Geography, only 269,000 Mexicans earn $16 or more per hour.

For reference, Scottsdale, AZ has a population of 249,950. Mesa, AZ has a population of 496,000 people. So the amount of Mexicans who make equal to or more than 33,000 per year could fit in the city of Scottsdale, AZ. Everyone else is living on much less than that.  How many other people? I am glad you asked.

There are 124.6 million people living in Mexico. Which means that 124,331,000 people live on less. This makes up a mere 0.22% Of Mexican. Which is a crazy statistic when you compare it to the top 1% in the United States making $1.32 million.

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Have you ever had a dream that just felt too big and too scary? And the thought of it was almost paralyzing? 

I hope today’s story helps to inspire you to reach for your own dream. To dig a little deeper and try a little harder, and accomplish those great things that God has prepared for you. Because He has something prepared for each of us.

Create Joy Challenge

This week’s #createjoychallenge is to ask God every day, what He needs you to do today. The answers might surprise you. Some days they are big things, some days they are scary things, and some days it is ice cream with your daughter, which I am OK with. Whatever it is, I encourage you to do it! As scary or silly as it may seem, it is definitely worth it! You know how I know? Because God knows our situation so much better than we do, and He loves us enough to take care of the things we do not even see.

Quotes from Episode

"If you are feeling massive resistance, the good news is that it means there's tremendous love there too." - Steven Pressfield

"Don’t let a day go by without doing something to act on the promptings of the Spirit." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf April 2011 General Conference - "Your Potential, Your Privilege"

Connect with Audra 

Connect on instagram @audraelkington

Connect on her website www.audraelkington.com

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Website createjoypodcast.com

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Create Joy Challenge

This week’s create joy challenge is to focus on your extraordinary ordinary life. Slow down and focus on the GOOD, focus on the Beautiful. Look past the hard things and see the light inside of it. Find peace, love, and joy in the turmoil, and turn off as much of the noise as you possibly can.

Connect with Create Joy Podcast on

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Quotes from Episode

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. "Don't worry." I say to myself every morning. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God and move forward with faith and confidence in the future." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Carry on. Things will work out. If you keep trying and praying and working, things will work out. They always do. If you want to die an early age, dwell on the negative. Accentuate the positive and you'll be around for a while." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"In my ninety plus years, I have learned a revert. I have learned that when good men and good women face challenges with optimism, things will always work out! Truly, things always work out! Despite how difficult circumstances may look at the moment, those who have faith and move forward with a happy spirit will find that things always work out." - Gordon B. Hinckley

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

Create Joy Challenge

This week’s create joy challenge is to focus on your extraordinary ordinary life. Slow down and focus on the GOOD, focus on the Beautiful. Look past the hard things and see the light inside of it. Find peace, love, and joy in the turmoil, and turn off as much of the noise as you possibly can.

Connect with Create Joy Podcast on

Instagram @createjoypodcast

Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast

Quotes from Episode

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. "Don't worry." I say to myself every morning. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God and move forward with faith and confidence in the future." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Carry on. Things will work out. If you keep trying and praying and working, things will work out. They always do. If you want to die an early age, dwell on the negative. Accentuate the positive and you'll be around for a while." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"In my ninety plus years, I have learned a revert. I have learned that when good men and good women face challenges with optimism, things will always work out! Truly, things always work out! Despite how difficult circumstances may look at the moment, those who have faith and move forward with a happy spirit will find that things always work out." - Gordon B. Hinckley

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/createjoypodcast/message

In this episode we explore why we are lonely, and what we can do about giving 3 (that maybe could have been 4) useful tips. 

You can buy Big Talk cards here

Create Joy Challenge 

This week's challenge is to figure out where you are lonely in your life, and make a connection. Some ideas are those mentioned  above… plan a date, invite a friend to lunch, call a friend, plan a party, talk to a stranger. And if the person you tried to connect just couldn’t this time, don’t be discouraged. Try someone else. 3 out of 4 people want to hang out with someone today, if only virtually… You can be that person.

Connect with Create Joy Podcast on

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Quotes from Episode

“Comparing your relationship to ones you see on social media can generate a sense of loneliness.” - Clinical Psychologist Jenny Taitz

“Loneliness is a growing health epidemic. We live in the most technologically connected age in the history of civilization, yet rates of loneliness have doubled since the 1980s.” - former Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, MD, Harvard Business Review

“The only thing keeping you from being happy is the belief that you are alone.” - Anna Draper (Mad Men)

Satan works hard to isolate us and tell us we are the only one experiencing them. - Sharon Eubank

“We all have much more in common than we have difference. I would say that about people all over the world. They don’t know how much common that they have. - Ernest Gaines

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”- Hebrews 13:2

Cover Photo by ActionVance on Unsplash

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On this episode, Sally Dupaix teaches us the importance of connecting over family meals, and how to create meaningful memories and connections with 5 doable tips. 1. Realize that you, as a parent or caregiver set the tone for the family meal. Get rid of as many distractions as possible. Set yourself up for success by being prepared. Make things special. Create traditions and plan special events around things that are important In your life. Set age appropriate and realistic expectations. Show Notes Article Sally quoted research from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/Pages/Mealtime-as-Family-Time.aspx This week’s #createjoychallenge is to share your family meals using the hashtag #mykinshiptable Share who you are sharing your table with, and how you are connecting over food. Then put your phone away and enjoy your time together. As a bonus, tag @kinship.table and @createjoypodcast so we can share! You can find Sally on Instagram at @kinship.table Connect with Create Joy Podcast on Instagram @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/createjoypodcast/message

This week I discuss why knowing your family history matters. Spoiler: the reason why is a lot deeper than what you are thinking! I go into a couple of stories in my own family history and show why their reactions are still affecting their families generations later, to give you an idea of how you can look into your own family history for clues about your own life.    

Show Notes 

To join the giveaway, join us on Instagram @createjoypodcast 

Day of the Dead 

Get Day of the Dead resources at createjoypodcast.com/dayofdead 

#createjoychallenge - Connect with an ancestor. 

If you are new to family history, you can sign up for free at familysearch.org Please reach out to me if you have any questions about it. I LOVE to help with family history! They key here is to connect on a deep level. Really get to know him/her and get to know how you can apply their life lessons to your life. Discover what they have passed down and figure out what you want to do with that information. 

Quotes 

“In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage—to know who we are and where we have come from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness.” - Alex Haley 

“Who among us wants to throw stones at their own ancestors? I, for one, am intrigued by their battles—their victories as well as their defeats. … I am fascinated by what may seem the most commonplace of lives, because I have come to realize the excitement that is concealed in the commonplace.” - Arthur R. Bassett 

“A parent who knows his/her family history will have a different level of cortisol, adrenaline, biochemistry. A different level of anxiety in physiology and behavior around rearing children.” - Dr. Victoria Harrison 

"If you don't know where to start, start with yourself." - Boyd K. Packer 

Find the Create Joy Podcast 

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