I'm a big city Southern gal with a true Southern drawl and I grew up as part of the barefoot generation. My great aunt scolded me for coming for a visit without proper shoes and socks because she wanted to take me into the city for lunch and shopping. But, I also grew up using the good china and crystal for any occasion.
My name is Louise Pistole. The “e” on the end of my last name is silent so it is pronounced Pistol. I get a lot of interesting conversation from that name but I’m proud to carry on the family’s Welsh heritage.
God gifted me auburn red hair at birth and it’s still that way today – with a little help from my hairdresser. When my grandson was writing a report and needed to interview me, his question was, “What is my trademark that I am known for?” I automatically replied that it was my red hair. “No, Mimi, that’s not what you are known for. It’s your fancy handwriting with all the curls and loops.” I was surprised at his response but trusted his judgment.
In April of 2021, I published a daily devotional/inspirational book titled Discover Your Joy. The book was inspired by a message about being joyful always from 1 Thessalonians 5:16.
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Here’s an insight to the book from the back cover:
JOY! It’s YOUR choice. Every day!
Does life leave you feeling hopeless and joyless?
Are your intentions out of alignment with your actions?
What choices do you make in life to Discover Your Joy?
Do you know you can live in joy every day of your life—but—it is a choice!
I had to make a choice to have joy in my life. I had experienced loss and major change of life plans, and really, I just went through the motions of living. Sure, there were moments of joy but that was it—moments.
Until I made the choice to discover my own joy.
In Discover Your Joy, you will:
• Enjoy daily inspiration for happiness and joyfulness,
• Learn how to live an abundant life filled with gratitude, hope, and joy,
• Discover inner peace through encouraging words,
• Discover how to become a Joy-Fanatic and enjoy your best life.
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Each day in the book starts with a positive affirmation, then an inspiring story, and closes with a quote or verse. I’d like to share this one page with you.
UNLOCK YOUR JOY
I am joyful!
Do you feel joyful every day? Our natural state of being is joyful. However, all the busyness, commitments and requirements of our lives sometimes robs us of the joyful feeling. Perhaps it is just locked away deep in your heart and only needs the lock to be released.
Unlocking your heart could be simple enough if you have a key. Otherwise, you’ll need to dig down deep, discover why your heart is locked, and work towards releasing those barriers.
For myself, my heart became locked when my husband and I separated. For the first time in my life, I was all alone. I was sad and life was hard and difficult and overwhelming. You get the picture, I’m sure. Even though there were good days along the way, it was many years before I was able to unlock my joy. My key to the lock came through a message from my minister. It touched my heart and I was on my way to living a joyful life.
Is your heart blocked by shame or guild? Is your heart reeling with jealousy? Do you feel unloved or unworthy? These and many other emotions could be blocking your joyful life.
Whatever you are feeling, just know, you are entitled to joy! You are worthy of joy! You deserve joy in your life?
Repeat those statements to yourself over and over. They will gradually ingrain into your heart, and you can return to your natural state of living joyfully!
Today’s Joy: “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 15:11 NLT
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We all have our favorite inspirational stories to tell and one of mine is about my granddaughter during one of our outings. As I parked my car, I noticed a field full of weeds. I wondered why management hadn’t taken care of this maintenance. But my granddaughter bolted out of the car, and said, “Look at all the dandelion wishes. Mimi, what would you wish for if you had a thousand dandelion wishes?” Wow! This sweet little girl had just instantly upgraded my mood and changed my perspective.
I would love for you to share with me in the comments one of your favorite stories that inspired you. In fact, I’ll give away a paperback copy of Discover Your Joy to one random person who leaves a short story in the comments. Share away, my friends! You could be the lucky winner of a joyful book!
Also, I’d love for you to follow me for more joy and inspiration. Here are a few links where you can easily find me and a link to my book on Amazon.
Website: https://www.louisepistole.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joy_at_the_coast/
As we age we tend to forget so many precious memories of our childhood, we all have different memories but the one thing we all have in common is Joy, we experience joy differently or maybe we share the same Joy's but through your book and your social media posts I have been able to recall moments from my own life and that my friend is one example of what Joy is, life moments that we can share. Although I have passed your book along for someone else to enjoy your book put Joy in my heart and gave me hope when days seemed impossible.
Also, "proper shoes" are over rated, growing up in the 60's-70's I couldn't wait for…
You truly are a joy bearer and joy giver, Louise. Your book helps people see that joy is possible for everyone. You and your message are beautiful lights in this sometimes dark world. Blessings to you.
I'm only in my late teens and I've only been walking with Jesus for a year or two, but hearing other people's testimonies encourages me so much. I've been struggling a lot with depression and that's brought on new challenges as well, so sometimes things seem very, very dark and I wonder what the point to all of it is and whether God is punishing me. But I also hear people's testimonies of their struggles with finances, loss, grief, illness, etc. and how God used it to make them better in the end, to make them be able to empathize and be compassionate with others, and I can always God whispering to me that it's going to be okay and…
I think just remembering past memories in general can be very inspiring. Sometimes it gives me feelings of nostalgia, but it can also be super beautiful
Hearing Richard Wurmbrand's story from Tortured for Christ when he stood up for the gospel no matter what was really inspiring :) <3