Catherine Walker - Boosting Your Joy: Happy Little Advice for Your Relationships, Your Career and Yourself

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT CATHERINE WALKER AND THIS BOOK

Learning joy from Catherine Walker is like learning writing from Shakespeare or learning comedy from Seinfeld. Soak it up. Count your blessings. She is one of the lucky few who has it figured out.

Kevin Sutton

Author of Dear Midol, Essays from Estrogen Hell

Catherine Walkers compassionate yet straight-shooting advice gets to the heart of life and all its many relationships. Wise, kind and inspiring, Boosting Your Joy is a self-help gem that youll want to keep on the bedside table for handy reference once youre done reading.

Will Clarke

The New York Times Editors Choice author

of Lord Vishnu s Love Handles and

The Neon Palm of Madame Melan on

Chockfull of insightful gems of wisdom and practical advice, use this book as a roadmap when you need to get back on track and to remind yourself to choose what brings you true joy and happiness.

Susan Friedmann

International Best-Selling Author

of Riches in Niches: How to Make it BIG in a small Market

Lets be honest. Who wouldnt want to boost their joy? Thank you Catherine for taking the time to share your heart, your stories and your brilliance! The happy little advice you impart in this book is powerful, practical and purposeful.

Nina Obier

Author of Listen. Learn. Love. Lead. and My Daily Clarity

Reading this book brings all your senses and emotions to the party! Catherine shares her life and teaches lessons along the way. Her writing reminds me of a modern-day Erma Bombeck!

Shannon Pell

Owner and President of Morning Star Consulting, Inc.

Her writing style and sense of humor are priceless. One story in this book gave me a big old laugh. When I read it again, I laughed out loud even harder. This book is a gem and needs to be added to your personal library especially if you are looking to boost your game in the happiness category!

Patrick Snow

International Best-Selling Author of Creating Your Own Destiny

Once in awhile a book comes along that helps you make sense of life. What might be scary or overwhelming to some of us seems like common sense to Catherine. From babies to business Catherine can show you how to stay in your truth, find your balance, and ultimately help you boost your joy.

Nicole Gabriel

Author of Finding Your Inner Truth

One of the most influential leaders Ive ever met, Catherine connects with her heart, brings out the best in others, and challenges you to think deeper and be a better version of yourself! When you have direct contact with her, your life will forever be touched.

Tara Claborn

Director of Sales at FOREVER

Catherine really knows her stuff. She has an infectious personality that keeps your attention. She is relatable and makes learning fun!

Kimberly Buck

Former Senior Director of Southern Living at HOME

Catherine grabs your attention whether through her book or her speaking. She has a way of making teaching moments fun and memorable. Catherine radiates authenticity.

Laurel Winston

Author of Carrots Grow from Carrot Seeds

Catherine has completed countless presentations for our company over the past few years. She is by far one of the best speakers weve ever had the pleasure to work with. She has the natural gift of being able to connect with the audience on an emotional level and inspires them to take action. Catherine truly cares about helping people to not only improve their business, but to improve their lives.

Carey Ballou

ReminderMedia Presentation Manager

BOOSTING YOUR JOY

Happy Little Advice for Your Relationships, Your Career and Yourself

Copyright 2018 by Catherine Walker. All rights reserved.

Published by:

Aviva Publishing

Lake Placid, NY

(518) 523-1320

www.AvivaPubs.com

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the expressed written permission of the author. Address all inquiries to:

Catherine Walker

Telephone: 214-208-1662

Email: thesuccesswalk@gmail.com

www.catherinewalkerspeaks.com

www.boostingyourjoy.com

ISBN: 978-1-543953-66-4

Editor: Janet Ruth from Penguin Books

Cover Designer: Nicole Gabriel/Angel Dog Productions

Interior Book Layout: Nicole Gabriel/Angel Dog Productions

Every attempt has been made to properly source all quotes.

Printed in the United States of America.

DEDICATION

To my husband Vincent: Thank you for loving me all these years. For being my best friend and the one who makes me feel safe. Thanks for the extra kisses you give me daily. You are an amazing husband and a remarkable dad and I hope these pages reflect that. I adore you.

To my daughters Hailey, Whitney and Kennedy: You three have made life joyous for me. I hope you love the stories within as much as I do. A small peek at the wonderful life we all shared. You are becoming lovely young adults and I am proud to be your mother. Hailey, I know you will impact the kids you teach and they will remember you believing in them. Whitney, I know your gentleness and creativity will serve the world well. Kennedy, I am always in awe of your fierce spirit. You will be fun to watch. I love you all immensely.

To my mother Frances Morrison: Thanks for showing me the way. You are a great mom. I love you.

To my dad Barry Schlech: Thanks for being a dad who cared. I love you.

To my sisters Julie Butson, Rebecca Kitowski and Charlotte Kosse and brother Jonathan Schlech: Thanks for being my people. I love you all.

To my in-laws Jerry and Madalyn Jones: Thanks for your support and love. You mean the world to me.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank all of you who have made an impact on my life. I will forever be grateful for your support, encouragement, guidance and love.

Petra Adair, Rebecca Augustine, Jeff Bond, Jennifer Bond, Stacy Boyd (especially for the coffee mug), Patrick Butson, Kimberly Broussard, Peter Broussard, Camp Chaos Crowd, Candice Carlsen, Carnegie Crew, Daniel Chac, Whitney Chapman, Tara Claborn, Clifford Cline, Laurie Elam, Tammra Graves, Jennifer Hanson, Tammy Harris, Wes Harris, Cheryl Herreid, Christine Horstman, Charles Kitowski, Cory Kosse, Scott Levin, Mary Grace Lewandowski, Allison Lime, Sandy Meyer, Beth Montpas, Lacey Mott, Ian Moyser, Nina Obier, Julyn Panicola, Shannon Pell, Vicki Pierce, Anita Pozo-Jones, Terri Sawyer, Danielle Schlech, Kevin Smith, Patrick Snow, Donna Taylor, my Ten for Him group, Holly Toulouse, Neelee Tschetter

INTRODUCTION

BOOSTING YOUR JOY IS WITHIN YOUR GRASP

Your marriage feels off. Your kids are ruling the roost and running over you. You seem disconnected from your friends. You are moody or get angry often. You dont have adequate time to handle your home or manage your career. You are unsatisfied where you are professionally and you constantly worry about money. And to top it all off, your favorite jeans dont fit.

Is the joy being sucked out of your life? Are you overscheduled and underappreciated? Are you being pulled in too many directions? Do you wish everyone would give you a break? Some days do you just want to crawl back into bed and hide?

Americans are simply more stressed and more depressed. Nearly one out of every four women is medicated to get through the day. The number of Americans taking anti-depressants rose 65% in the past fifteen years.

Todays society expects women to be super moms, super wives, and super in business. Well, my cape is at the cleaners and its going to stay that way to keep me sane. Ive battled the family and home-based business pendulum for twenty years. I understand the struggles to maintain healthy relationships in your life, keeping your husband, your kids, and your friends in a happy place while trying to make your own mark on the world.