By Colleen Seward Ryan

Adopting Joy, my second book, is a true story about what happens when we look for the lesson in every situation. I’ve found that personal and professional success is about attitude and adapting to change. It’s about learning to look for the light in every dark situation. In school, we’re given the lesson first, and then the test. In life, we’re given the test first, and the lesson later. Turning obstacles into opportunities and conquering your past can be the passageway to your purpose.

What I didn’t realize was that almost one year to the day after a devastating loss, a rescue puppy, already named Joy, entered my life and “furever” transformed it. She was my first dog ever and certainly lived up to her name. I’m not sure who rescued who! Are you a cat or dog lover? Both? Then this book is for you. If you believe in “signs,” supernatural synchronicities, miracles, and that there are NO coincidences then this book is for you.

Whatever you have gone through, this book will bring hope, happiness and healing into your life. It will help you to get motivated and stay motivated even when you don’t feel like doing something. Are you dealing with difficult people? Adopting Joy shows you the importance of being the “bigger person” and becoming better, not bitter.

Here are some of the key takeaways in my book, Adopting Joy:

• Stop worrying about what people think. You will never please everyone.
• With chronically difficult people, it is not about you; it is about THEM.
• You can reach out to others and do everything you can to make it work, and with some people you never will. You may never get that person’s approval.
• Know your triggers. Know what behaviors, tone or “looks” bother you about someone else. Plan ahead. This way you can react proactively not reactively.
• Your worst role models will serve as your greatest teachers.

“Hands down Colleen is the single best guest we’ve had on the air this year!”

TD Mischke, CBS Radio Minneapolis