Introducing: “Alive and Oh Well!”
February 13, 2009
As founder of the National Association of Divorce for Women and Children, I am honored to introduce Gina Mazza, an inspirational author as co-author for the new…
Alive and Well!
Check in with Joanie and Gina
This blog is a combo-talk show/counseling session in words with intriguing dialogue. We will help guide you through crucial transitions in your life—not just surviving divorce with grace, humor and feminine integrity, but anything that has left you feeling stuck, under-inspired or overwhelmed.
Note from Gina:
Around age 35, I found myself introspecting on a series of deep questions: what is it that I’m here to do? What must do before I die or else I will die unfulfilled? In other words, what is nonnegotiable in my life? Around this same time, I couldn’t help but notice that I’d become stretched thin, as many women do. I was a new mother of two children, working full time with a company that I owned with my husband at the time, caretaking aging parents and doing my best to impersonate Martha Stewart at home, among other things.
I’d built a beautiful life yet part of me yearned to rediscover an essential part of me—particularly my creative spirit, which I had allowed to become squelched and devalued. (No wonder I felt something was missing, because my dream was to pursue a career as a writer.) Said another way, I wanted to feel free to be more myself. I wasn’t interested in drastically changing my life, I just wanted to awaken more fully into it. So I embarked on an inward journey that eventually took on fantastic, mystical proportions.
Jump ahead about a dozen years to 2008. I’ve documented my journey in a book that was released nationwide in April 2008: Everything Matters, Nothing Matters: For Women Who Dare to Live with Exquisite Calm, Euphoric Creativity and Divine Clarity. On its pages, I reveal what I’ve discovered to be the 7 essential, overarching concepts to consider when one finally decides to take that leap of faith into the great unknown.
The book is my offering to others on a similar quest, and I suggest that working with these 7 concepts will allow you to create a gift for yourself beyond price: You will know who you are, with the freedom to be it; You will know what you want, with the daring to go for it.
But now I’d like to share with you is what’s been happening SINCE the book was published, which has led me to join Joanie on this blog. Pretty interesting! Suffice to say that it’s like God-Goddess has upped the ante on me, as if to say, “Okay, Gina, you’re saying that nothing matters . . . prove it!” Here’s a snapshot of my past 18 months.
Ready? . . . (deep breath!) . . . Okay, here goes: infidelity (on my spouse’s part); his subsequent job loss due to misconduct; marital separation after 20 years; helping my 2 teens deal with the ramifications of this; several deaths (my father-in-law, and my daughter’s friend commits suicide at age 15); book launch, in which I pull myself together to embark on a national tour; worries about my kids while on tour due to their ongoing estranged-dad situation; financial crisis due to spouse seizing control of our assets (while I was away on tour); legal proceedings for custody; worries about my dear mom, 87, who lives alone and is devastated by my current situation; spouse informs me he’s dating (woman #2, I guess); ramping up my work life to better support myself and my kids; sibling challenges due to spouse’s attempts to turn my family against me; mounting legal fees, and on.
So, yes, these are some of the recent tests that have come my way, and it’s up to me to truly live my philosophy—which is, “it’s not what happens to us in life, it’s our response to it and more importantly, who we are going through it.” I recently read this quote: “Know that the most neurotic, ugly situation is simply testing you. It is testing your vastness, flexibility, adjustment and character.”
No doubt about it, we are all being tested to a greater or lesser degree. That is why Joanie and I are writing this blog, to be in conversation with other women about life transitions we are all going through—especially the painful ones!—so we can learn and grow from those these experiences as they are happening to us.
So while my book has been published, my story is continues day by day, moment by moment, and I promise to share my innermost thoughts about what I’m going through as a launching point for your own words, which we hope you will offer back to us on this blog.
Join us and let the healing begin!
Gina and Joanie
Gina’s Information
www.EverythingmattersNothingmatters.com.
www.museyoucanuse-gina.blogspot.com.
Joanie’s Information
Single Again! Now What? with your host, Joanie Winberg.
Each week, Joanie’s special guests will share tips to support, encourage, inspire, make you laugh or just be the right thing you need to hear at this time in your life.
Show Time: Every Wednesday evening @ 6:00PM EST
Call in: 347- 215-6997
Click here for upcoming shows…
Joanie Winberg,
A Business/Personal Coach- specializing in Divorce, Speaker,
Human Behavior Consultant, and a Certified Laughter Leader
A Lesson in Love
February 3, 2009
Today’s Happy Wednesday Broadcast is brought to you by Michael Jordan Segal.
Michael, who defied all odds after being shot in the head, is a husband, father, social worker, author, and inspirational speaker. His “miraculous” comeback story was first published in Chicken Soup for the Christian Family Soul. He has a CD of 12 of his inspirational short stories, entitled POSSIBLE, available on his web site. For more information, go to www.InspirationByMike.com.
“A Lesson in Love”
By Michael Jordan Segal, MSW
Audio- “A Lesson in Love”
“I never liked rings. I do not wear a high school ring; I do not wear a college ring; and I did not want to wear a wedding ring. This was not because I did not want people to know that I was married, but because I just did not feel comfortable with a ring on my finger.
After graduating from college I finally was about to “pop the question” to my high school sweetheart, Sharon Gail Weingarton, who continually was at my side when I was almost fatally injured during a robbery.
Sharon was the best — pretty, kind, sweet, and good-hearted. However, what would she say when I proposed and said that I did not want to wear a wedding ring? I practiced what I was going to say to her. I thought long and hard. I finally decided that there was no answer to my dilemma. I would simply tell her, and then wait five minutes listening to her explode.
So that night I proposed, and afterwards I told Sharon that I was not going to wear a ring. I simply said: “I just don’t like rings. I don’t wear a high school ring…” I expected Sharon to become enraged: “WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU’RE NOT GOING TO WEAR A WEDDING RING?”
However, instead, I merely heard silence. After what in my mind seemed like an eternity, Sharon calmly remarked: “Fine. If you don’t want to wear a wedding ring, I won’t change my name. I will not call myself Sharon Segal.”
On our Fifteenth Anniversary, I remembered my first lesson of marriage that was taught to me by my wife Sharon Gail Segal as I looked down upon the ring on my ring finger — COMPROMISE.”
___________________________________________________________________
Special Message from Joanie Winberg, The Happy Wednesday Lady:
Would you like to be “highlighted” on the Happy Wednesday Broadcast?
Just e-mail your inspirational video, audio or poem with tips to jw@joanwinberg.com with the words Happy Wednesday Broadcast in the subject line. Once accepted we will also include a short introduction about you and a link to your website.
My dream is for everyone to become aware of how they can make a difference for just a few minutes every Wednesday by choosing one or more of the following:
- Do an act of kindness.
- Forgive someone- make amends with a relationship gone sour.
- Call someone and tell them how much you care.
- Do something special for yourself or the earth.
- Have FUN and laugh more often.
Until next week, have a Happy Wednesday!
To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to www.HappyWednesday.com.
Joanie Winberg is the Founder of the National Association of Divorce for Women and Children. We understand the challenges of divorce. You are not alone. For more information, go to www.FreshStartAfterDivorce.com.
__________________________________________
Tune in…
Single Again! Now What? with your host, Joanie Winberg.
Each week, Joanie’s special guests will share tips to support, encourage, inspire, make you laugh or just be the right thing you need to hear at this time in your life.
Show Time: Every Wednesday evening @ 6:00PM EST
Call in: 347- 215-6997
Click here for upcoming shows…
Joanie Winberg,
A Business/Personal Coach- specializing in Divorce, Speaker,
Human Behavior Consultant, and a Certified Laughter Leader
“My Hero” by Kim Cameron
January 28, 2009
Today’s Happy Wednesday Broadcast is brought to you by singer, Kim Cameron.
Kim Cameron spent the last decade working up the corporate ladder but there was always something
missing in her life. In 2007, a family tragedy led her to re-evaluate her life and goals.
So Kim decided to finally break free from the corporate cage and pursue her lifelong passion for music.
As the lead singer/songwriter of Side FX, Kim Cameron is finally living her dream.
Today’s video is called “My Hero” written for our military by Kim.
Take 5 minutes out of your busy day…relax and enjoy! Click here- “My Hero”
Special Message from Joanie:
I am honored that the Happy Wednesday Broadcast is helping make a difference every Wednesday
by inspiring people across the United States as well as 20+ countries around the world.
My dream is for everyone to become aware of how they can make a difference for just a few minutes every Wednesday by choosing one or more of the following:
- Do an act of kindness.
- Forgive someone- make amends with a relationship gone sour.
- Call someone and tell them how much you care.
- Do something special for yourself or the earth.
- Have FUN and laugh more often.
I hope you like the new format for the Happy Wednesday Broadcast. Be part of the excitement that is sweeping the nation…the world!
Just e-mail us your inspirational video, audio or poem with tips to help make a difference to jw@joanwinberg.com with the words Happy Wednesday Broadcast in the subject line.
Once accepted we will also include a short introduction about you and a link to your website.
Until next week, have a Happy Wednesday!
To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to www.HappyWednesday.com..
Joanie Winberg is the Founder of the National Association of Divorce for Women and Children. We understand the challenges of divorce. You are not alone. For more information, go to www.FreshStartAfterDivorce.com.
Single Again! Now What? Talk Radio Show
Tune in to listen to our most resent talk show with June Dillinger, author of the “Benefit of the X.”
Click here for upcoming shows…
Check it out…
Joanie’s interview on the “Starting Today” Talk Radio Show with host, Judith Wentzel.
Topic: Divorce Coach, Joanie Winberg Saves Marriages - 5 Tips on How to Enjoy a Happy Marriage and
Keep it That Way.
Rules for an EXTRAordinary Life
January 13, 2009
Welcome to the Happy Wednesday Broadcast
For another midweek BOOST to help make your Wednesday
A “Power” day and banish “hump” day from your life forever.
And now here is your host,
the Happy Wednesday Lady, Joanie Winberg
Happy Wednesday Everyone!
Today’s Special Message
Rules for an EXTRAordinary Life
~by Asia
***A very special video. Take a deep breath, relax and enjoy!
Make today a “Power Wednesday” by doing something to empower yourself, such as:
- An act of kindness
- Forgive someone- make amends with a relationship gone sour
- Call and tell someone how much you care
- Do something special for yourself
- Have Fun!
Until next week, have a Happy Wednesday!
Joanie
To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to www.HappyWednesday.com.
Joanie Winberg is the Founder of the National Association of Divorce for Women and Children. We understand the challenges of divorce. You are not alone. For more information, go to www.FreshStartAfterDivorce.com.
Single Again! Now What? Blog Talk Radio with your host, Joanie Winberg.
Show Time: Every Wednesday evening @ 6:00PM EST
Call in #: (347) 215-6997
Upcoming Shows
A Gift from the Secret- Dedicated to “The Secret to You”
January 6, 2009
Welcome to the Happy Wednesday Broadcast
For another midweek BOOST to help make your Wednesday
A “Power” day and banish “hump” day from your life forever.
And now here is your host,
the Happy Wednesday Lady, Joanie Winberg
Happy Wednesday Everyone!
Today’s Special Message for the New Year
A gift from the Secret… Dedicated to “The Secret to You.”
Today’s Quote (from video)
Today is the beginning of my new life.
I am starting over today.
All things are coming to me today.
I’m grateful to be alive.
I see beauty all around me.
I live with passion and purpose.
I take time to laugh and play every day.
I am awake, energized and alive.
I focus on all the good things in life…
And give thanks for them.
I am at peace and one with everything.
I feel love, the joy, the abundance.
I am free to be myself.
I am magnificence in human form.
I am the perfection of life.
I am grateful to be…ME
TODAY IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!
Make today a “Power Wednesday” by doing something to empower yourself, such as:
-An act of kindness
-Forgive someone- make amends with a relationship gone sour
-Call someone and tell them how much you love or appreciate them
-Do something special for yourself
-Have Fun!
Until next week, have a Happy Wednesday!
To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to www.HappyWednesday.com.
Joanie Winberg is Founder of the National Association of Divorce for Women and Children. We understand the challenges of divorce. You are not alone. For more information, go to www.FreshStartAfterDivorce.com.
Single Again! Now What? Blog Talk Radio with your host, Joanie Winberg.
Show Time: Every Wednesday evening @ 6:00PM EST
Call in #: (347) 215-6997
Gratitude Unlocks the Fullness of Life
December 30, 2008
Welcome to the Happy Wednesday Broadcast
For another midweek BOOST to help make your Wednesday
A “Power” day and banish “hump” day from your life forever.
And now here is your host,
the Happy Wednesday Lady, Joanie Winberg
Happy Wednesday Everyone!
Today’s quote
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more…It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
~Melody Beattie
Gratitude Video
Nick Vujicic is often asked,
“How come you smile so much?”
He says, “It’s a long story.”
Today’s tip
Here we are at the end of another year. When reflecting back, how are you feeling about this past year? Are you feeling disappointed about what you did not accomplish? Do you have any regrets or hard feelings about anything or anyone?
Be aware of how you are feeling when only focusing on what went wrong during the year. Are you feeling stressed or anxious?
How about focusing on what did go right this year. Just like the radio stations play the “Top 40″ songs at the end of the year, let’s make a list of the “Top 40″ things you are grateful for this past year. Include everything; no matter how small the accomplishment. When focusing on the positive things, notice how you are feeling. Are you feeling more at peace and joyful?
As Melody Beattie said in her quote- “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.” It’s one of the secrets to true happiness.
I wish you and your family all the best for the New Year.
This is Joanie Winberg, The Happy Wednesday Lady
Joanie Winberg is a speaker/trainer, a Business/Personal Coach-specializing in Divorce, a Certified Behavior Consultant and a Certified Laughter Leader.
To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful
stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to
HappyWednesday.com
Joanie Winberg is the Founder of the National Association of Divorce for Women and Children. We understand the challenges of divorce. You are not alone. For more information, go to FreshStartAfterDivorce.com
Single Again! Now What? Blog Talk Radio with your host, Joanie Winberg.
Show Time: Every Wednesday evening @ 6:00PM EST
Call in #: (347) 215-6997
Happy Wednesday Broadcast- Inspirational Midweek Boost!
December 22, 2008
Happy Wednesday everyone!
Welcome to the Happy Wednesday Broadcast for
another midweek BOOST to help make your
Wednesday a “Power” day and banish “hump” day
from your life forever. And now here is your host,
the Happy Wednesday Lady, Joanie Winberg
This week’s inspirational quote-
“Family…let’s be grateful for those who
give us happiness; they are the charming
gardeners who make our soul bloom.”
~Marcel Proust
Today is Happy Wednesday…your “Power” Day.
How can you empower yourself today?
Being grateful is one of the most powerful tools
to attract more love, happiness, health and
prosperity into your life.
To build your gratitude muscle, start everyday
with three things you are grateful for, such as
your health, your family or something as simple
as the gift of a new day. To continue building
your gratitude muscle, before going to sleep,
focus on three or more positive things that
occurred doing your day.
When you focus on the positive or the good
that already exists in your life, you will
automatically start to attract more of the same.
Please share how you made your Wednesday a
“Power” day by going to
HappyWednesday.com forum. With the
Happy Wednesday Broadcast heard every week
throughout the US and in 20 other countries,
we can all make a difference together…every
Wednesday!
To assist you on how to attract more of the
good stuff into your life, now available my new book
called “Rising to the Top”- A Guide to Self
Development. For more information go to
HappyWednesday.com.
Until next week, have a Happy Wednesday!
Joanie
Joanie Winberg is a speaker/trainer, a Business/Personal Coach-specializing in Divorce, a Certified Behavior Consultant and a Certified Laughter Leader.
Joanie Winberg is the Founder of the National Association of Divorce for Women and Children. We understand the challenges of divorce. You are not alone. For more information, go to www.FreshStartAfterDivorce.com.
Three Tips on How to Enjoy the Holidays with Ease!
December 16, 2008
WELCOME to the Happy Wednesday Broadcast
for another midweek BOOST to help make your
Wednesday a “Power” day and banish
“hump” day from your life forever.
And now here is your host…
The Happy Wednesday Lady, Joanie Winberg
Happy Wednesday Everyone!
We all seem to face the challenge of juggling our time effectively during the hectic holiday season.
Here are 3 tips on how to enjoy the holidays with more ease, less stress and a lot more fun:
1. Practice good self-care: Eat right and get enough rest. Do something special for yourself everyday, even if you only have 10 minutes to spare. Do what makes you feel relaxed; take a walk, listen to your favorite music, have a massage. I suggest doing something as simple as periodically stretch and take a few deep breaths.
2. Plan Ahead: Create a workable schedule to get everything important done. Ask yourself: Does this really need to be done today? Would anyone be affected if I didn’t do it? If the answer is ‘yes’ to either question, then it is a priority. Take care of the priority items first, and then do other less important things.
3. Learn to say “no”: It really is OK to say “no” to things you don’t have time for or don’t have an interest in participating. If you’re saying yes because you’re worried about what someone might say, you’ll feel resentful. Be true to yourself. Say “maybe” and then check in with yourself before you make the decision.
For a copy of these tips, go to www.HappyWednesday.com.
Tune in next week for more holiday tips!
This is Joanie Winberg, The Happy Wednesday Lady
Joanie Winberg is a speaker/trainer, a Business/Personal Coach-specializing in Divorce, a Certified Behavior Consultant and a Certified Laughter Leader.
To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful
stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to
HappyWednesday.com.
Joanie Winberg is the Founder of the National Association of Divorce for Women and Children. We understand the challenges of divorce. You are not alone. For more information go to
www.FreshStartAfterDivorce.com.
Happy Wednesday Broadcast- Inspirational Midweek Boost!
December 9, 2008
HAPPY WEDNESDAY!
WELCOME to the Happy Wednesday Broadcast
for another midweek BOOST to help make your
Wednesday a “Power” day and banish
“hump” day from your life forever.
And now here is your host…
The Happy Wednesday Lady, Joanie Winberg
Today’s Happy Wednesday includes a powerful video
showing how dreams will come true… if you believe!
Plus a poem from Julie Anne Ford to inspire you to live your dreams!
Video:
Live your Dream Video
Poem:
Dare To Dream
~Julie Anne Ford
Let nothing hold you back from
exploring your wildest fantasies,
wishes, and aspirations.
Don’t be afraid to dream big
and to follow your dreams
wherever they may lead you.
Open your eyes to their beauty;
open your mind to their magic;
open your heart to their possibilities.
Dare to dream.
Whether they are in color
or in black and white,
whether they are big or small,
easily attainable or almost impossible,
look to your dreams,
and make them become reality.
Wishes and hopes are nothing
until you take the first step
towards making them something!
Dare to dream,
Because only by dreaming,
will you ever discover
who you are, what you want,
and what you can do.
Don’t be afraid to take risks,
to become involved,
to make commitment.
Do whatever it takes to make
your dreams come true.
Always believe in miracles,
and always believe in you!
This is Joanie Winberg, The Happy Wednesday Lady
See you next week!
Joanie Winberg is a speaker/trainer, a Business/Personal Coach-specializing in Divorce, a Certified Behavior Consultant and a Certified Laughter Leader.
To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful
stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to
HappyWednesday.com
Joanie Winberg is the Founder of the National Association of Divorce for Women and Children. We understand the challenges of divorce. You are not alone. For more information go to
www.FreshStartAfterDivorce.com
Single Again! Now What? Blog Talk Radio with your host, Joanie Winberg.
Show Time: Every Wednesday evening @ 6:00PM EST
Call in #: (347) 215-6997
Happy Wednesday Broadcast- Inspirational Midweek Boost
December 4, 2008
Welcome to the Happy Wednesday Broadcast for another midweek BOOST to help make your Wednesday a “Power” day and banish “hump” day from your life forever.
And now here is your host, the Happy Wednesday Lady, Joanie Winberg
Happy Wednesday!
Today’s Happy Wednesday is a very special video.
The text is below. Enjoy!
One More Day
~ Linda Ellis (copyright 2004)
This day…this precious, wonderful gift
has been bestowed upon me…free!
And whatever I choose to do with it
remains entirely up to me.
I could squander these given hours,
treat each task as if it’s a chore
and mark this day off my calendar
like so many times before.
I could overlook the blooming flowers,
and ignore the sun’s warm light
before it inevitably sets again,
turning my gift of day to night.
I could dwell upon mistakes I’ve made
and cry regretful tears
and live my life in the shadow of
my own anxieties and fears.
Or I could make a resolution,
before one more day has passed
that I will live it to its fullest
…as it if were my last.
Then I shall as I awaken
relinquish my fret and my sorrow
and accept one more day to love and laugh, with no guarantee of tomorrow.
I shall pause to smell those flowers
and while their aroma fills my senses,
vow to bury those anxieties,
fears and defenses.
I shall drink in that sweet sunshine
as it gently warms my skin
allowing its rays to slowly blossom
my spirit from within.
I shall not pass a stranger by
without exchanging a tender smile
for this day, we shared a moment of life …if only for a little while.
And at night, as I lay down my head,
only to wake again…I’ll pray
and if I do, then I’ll thank God
for giving me “One More Day.”
This is Joanie Winberg, The Happy Wednesday Lady
See you next week!
Joanie Winberg is a speaker/trainer, a Business/Personal Coach-specializing in divorce,
a Cert. Behavior Consultant and a Cert. Laughter Leader.
To learn more about powerful tools to help eliminate harmful
stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life, go to
www.HappyWednesday.com
During and after divorce is a very challenging time in
a person’s life. For more information go to
The National Association of Divorce for Women and Children
New Blog Talk Radio Show
Single Again! Now What? with your host, Joanie Winberg.
Show Time: Every Wednesday evening @ 6:00PM EST
Call in #: (347) 215-6997
Single Again! Now What?- Life After Divorce- Part II…How to Rediscover Your True Passion
- Life After Divorce-Part I…How to Rediscover Your True Passion
- Your Life Purpose
- Single Again! Now What? Blog
- If you are are a single mom or dad..
- Divorce is an Emotional Roller Coaster Ride
- How to Increase Your Odds of Staying Married the Second Time
- Divorced-Parenting Challenge: Nurturing Your Child’s Spirit Through the Process
- Support for Single Again Women and Single Moms
- Pregnancy during Menopause
-
Connect With Us:
Joanie's passion is to help women to regain their confidence, build self-esteem and create a foundation of life skills. She is also the author of Rising to the Top, A Guide to Self Development, a Certified Human Behavior Consultant, and a Business/Personal Consultant specializing in divorce.