Joy for a Lifetime: How to Live in an Optimal Way Everyday

By Tamika Glasper and Valeria Jones

Joy for a Lifetime describes the essential principles of how to live a life of achievement, fulfillment, and joy at all times on a consistent basis.
This book describes the four core areas of joy:
1. Internal Physical
2. External Physical
3. Mental
4. Spiritual

This book explores life as enriching experience through the development of each core area. This book provides insightful principles and tools for the achievement of an optimal state of living in a variety of environments and situations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 2, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456762384

Tamika Glasper

These authors are two individuals, with diverse backgrounds, who came together and realized they had similar values in the area of spirituality. The authors have captured and developed their ideas as the foundation for this book. Valeria Cassine Jones, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dillard University and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Texas Southern University. For the past 25 years, Valeria has worked for Harris County Juvenile Probation Department. Valerias experience after her retirement included working as a part-time counselor with Thomas and Associates and serving as a volunteer with the Museum of Fine Arts (Rienzi Museum) in the capacity as docent. Her dedication to the Houston community is demonstrated through the service she provides as a volunteer with several agencies. The Child and Adolescent Development Center, Inc., an outreach program, has been one of the beneficiaries of her volunteer efforts. She is married to Frederick Jones and they have two adult daughters and two granddaughters. Currently, Valeria and her husband reside in Pearland, Texas. Tamika Michele Glasper holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Drexel University and a Masters in Business Administration from University of Houston. Currently, Tamika performs reliability analysis studies for an oil and gas company. In addition to her professional life, Tamika is inspired to motivate and encourage other individuals. She began a non-profit organization, Stars of Light, Inc. for the development and enhancement of human academic and professional performance. Tamika hopes this book will be an encouragement to assist other individuals through their journey and exploration of life. Tamika currently resides in Pearland, Texas where she is a wife and a mother of two children.

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© 2011, 2014 Tamika Glasper. All rights reserved.

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Registration Number: TXu1-620-314

Effective Date: 7/21/2009

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 02/18/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4567-6236-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-6238-4 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-6237-7 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011907998

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1: The Basics of Joy

Chapter 2: Internal Physical Conditioning

Chapter 3: External Physical Conditioning

Chapter 4: Mental Conditioning

Chapter 5: Spiritual Conditioning

Chapter 6: Joy in Times of Trouble

Chapter 7: Putting It All Together

Chapter 8: Transform Dreams into Reality

Chapter 9: Joy in Academics

Chapter 10: Joy at Home

Chapter 11: Joy in Relationships

Chapter 12: Joy in Marriage

Chapter 13: Joy in Parenthood

Chapter 14: Joy for a Lifetime

Appendix

This book is dedicated to

Alyssa, Amaya, Mark Jr., and Mya.

May you have everlasting joy.

Acknowledgements

This book is written to acknowledge our love for God who has equipped us to share our experiences of attaining joy in our lives. We have chosen joy and happiness, while keeping a focus on God for our answers to become better individuals. We have experienced major sources of happiness during our lifetime, and we wish to share this with others.

Thank-you to the following for your inspiration and influence in the writing of this book: Mark Benson, Carolyn Coleman, Mark Dedmon, Mamie Dedmon, Lucius Farris, Shirlaine George, Mark Glasper, Sr. Sherri Glasper, William, Sr. and Clara Glasper, William Glasper, Jr., Frederick Jones, Latonia Jones, Michael Sr. and Angela Keith, Horace and Sharon Lenoir, Anthony and Cheryl Rankin, Alan and Melanie Rodney, David Smith, Margaret Smith, and Sandra Woodard.

May this book be a reminder to always keep your head up: Adrienne Glasper, Ashley Glasper, Jasmine Glasper, Brandon Keith, Michael Keith, Jr. Simone Lenoir, and Anthony Rankin, Jr.

Introduction

This book is a guide on how to live optimally in the main areas of life. The essential principles of joy are centered on the mind, body, and soul. An enriching and rewarding life is available to all of us. A life of balance and fulfillment that stands the test of time is obtainable.

A life of joy is centered on harvesting and optimizing the positive in a variety of environments. A positive disposition creates an atmosphere for achievements and opportunities. Living a life of joy is living life at optimal potential. This is a state when we are performing, experiencing, and existing at the best level designed for us. This book is about uncovering our optimal level of potential and greatness through all times.

In our existence, we are part of a vivid tapestry in a universe of excellence. Look at the human body, with all the cells, veins, and organs that come together to form life. The same elements in the human body are found in the air, sea, and the entire universe. With this connection to greatness, we have the potential to build and experience enrichment in life. For you this means experiencing happiness, goodness, and an overall sense of wellness through this connection of creation.

Consistent greatness is achieved through conditioning or enhancing the main areas of life: the physical, mental, and spiritual. The structure of joy contains elements centered on these areas for optimal living. As we focus and partake in conditioning activities, then the structure of life develops and grows with excellent results. There are tangible and intangible benefits in living life at optimal potential, including greatness, harmony, and joy.

This book outlines the key activities which result in joy through time. The chapters in this book follow the main structure of the physical, mental, and spiritual areas of life. At the top of the structure of joy is the physical tier, which focuses on internal and external conditioning and nutrition. Physical describes proper nutrition, exercise, and rest in the body on a daily basis, resulting in the enhancement of energy, attitude, and ability. When the physical is conditioned on the inside and outside, it is apparent in the way we think, feel, look, and perform.

The next or middle tier is the mental which pertains to our thought processes of how we view life, others, and ourselves. It centers on living in the present, while exploring the possibilities of the future. It involves deep breathing, mental rest, and optimistic thinking. We fulfill our position in the tapestry of life when we replenish in a quiet place of mental refreshment. There is a time and place for everything, including mental rest.

The bottom tier at the base of the structure of joy is the spiritual, pertaining to an inner connection to a higher power. Spirituality is what keeps us focused and grounded. A sense of fulfillment in life is the result of equal balance and enhancement in the mental, physical, and spiritual tiers. A consistent connection to a higher power offers enlightenment, inspiration, and fulfillment in all the levels; therefore it is the foundation on which the entire structure is supported.

A life of joy is intended for each of us, and this book is a guide for how to get there. This book begins by uncovering the details of the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of joy. It includes a step by step model to explain how to reach any goal, including a goal of joy for a lifetime. The final chapters focus on how to live in joy through a variety of environments including academics,