Joy
Who am I? What do I do? What is my role? This is usually what you read about in an "About Us" column. In the end, you only know those things, not truly "about me". So, here is the best that I can do in a short space to really tell you about me, a Spiritual Being and my human experience.
I am grateful, joyful and happy. I am a seeker, a driver and a catalyst for change. I am a giver, a relationship builder and a conduit for more love in the world. How? Through Grateful Chics, my inspirational blogs, other writing, how I treat people and my trust in God that I will make good choices to serve His children.
I am a wife and doggie mama of four. As for a career path, mine is very curvy. I started out working my way through the University of Houston Downtown at an oil & gas exploration company. Then I decided sales and marketing were more my speed. First, I was in newspaper advertising sales and at the Houston Chronicle. Next, I moved to the CBS affiliate KHOU-TV, Channel 11 in television advertising sales. Then I was headhunted for a business improvement company named, BI. After only 18 months I was offered a "buy-out" and I took it as a gift from above to be able to follow this new dream.
Could I really inspire people, through other ways besides the blogs and my extensive volunteer work? Could I really bring more peace, love and joy into others lives through my work life? YES! I can and now I do.
Fast forward three years and I am now a Mama of a beautiful daughter named Chloe. My cup overflows with Gratitude!
~Christine aka Joy, a Grateful Chic.
T-Lou on Joy => Joy married my cousin, Craig. Craig is 6 years older than me, so growing up with him was a bit disconnected because of the age difference. Six years isn't much now, but when you are younger the age difference makes a big deal. My family (mom, sister, and I) were invited to Joy's bridal shower (I didn't even know Craig was engaged!) and that's when I met her for the first time. She seemed like such a powerful woman. I was intimidated. Here is this "city girl" full of drive and confidence. It wasn't until several years later that we realized we both enjoy camping. So we organized a camping trip, loaded up the campers (one pop-up and one fifth-wheel), and a WONDERFUL friendship began.
Joy, though still a city girl, is down-to-earth and thoughtful. When she was having difficulty in her life, she did not whine, or lay blame upon outside sources. She searched within. She began her own spiritual journey seeking to better herself, dragging me happily along with her. She works hard and earns everything she has, and rightfully so. She is giving, charitable, and philanthropic. She even willingly volunteers to babysit my 3 boys. That should earn her saint-hood! Her strong character helps me be a more confident and enlightened person. Thank you, Joy, for being a Grateful Chic!