Episode 8
Jennifer Heintskill, teacher/school counselor and ARC Choosing Joy facilitator, talks openly and vulnerably with ARC podcast host Mike Maddox about what it means to intentionally seek joy – in the hardest of times.
“My anxiety was off the charts. I got stuck in the what-ifs, the fear of everything. During that journey, I pulled all the tools out of the toolbox. My brain wouldn’t shut off,” Jennifer said.
About four years ago, Jennifer received a health diagnosis she never could have imagined. Hospital-bound for months and over a hundred miles away from her children, she had to intentionally seek joy in what felt like only darkness.
One of the ways she accomplished this was to develop a mantra. Daily, she put a phrase into action, reminding herself she would find the good around her, even when everything felt so bad.
It was in the small moments, “the glimmers,” that she noticed a ripple effect. “Every day I have a choice. I can sit in it and be angry and sad, and all the things. Or I can choose to embrace this gift of more time. I feel better when I focus on that aspect,” Jennifer said.
Her personal experience and her passion for serving the ARC prompted a proposal to voluntarily share what she had learned. Jennifer put on her professional hat and developed a workshop course to teach concepts of reframing and intentional joy seeking.
The three-week course, offered at $7.50 per session, will start Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. There is no referral needed. The course is for anyone 18+. It’s designed for anyone who wants to find glimmers of hope and sparkles of joy – even when there is a raging storm overhead.
Jennifer stressed this is not a “toxic positivity” workshop. It is not designed to tell you how to look on the sunny side of life. This is an opportunity to acknowledge that what you are going through is really, really hard. It’s learning how to create a mindset shift.
If you are interested in joining Choosing Joy, you can register here. Space will be limited to maintain an atmosphere for small group discussions/sharing.
“A lot of my anxiety comes from looking too far in the future or thinking too much about the past. I have learned, through this journey, that I need to stay present. I need to acknowledge that every day is a gift and I want that day to be filled with joy,” said Jennifer Heintskill.
About Our Podcast Guest:
Jennifer Heintskill is a former teacher and school counselor who earned her teaching degree from Aquinas College and her master’s degree in counseling from Western Michigan University. She is a wife and mother of two children, ages 15 and 12.
Four years ago, Jennifer received a life-changing diagnosis of Aplastic Anemia. This experience fundamentally shifted her outlook on life and her approach to managing anxiety. Today, she is passionate about sharing what has sustained her throughout her journey from diagnosis, transplant, and continued healing.
Jennifer has been involved with the Anxiety Resource Center for over a decade as a support group facilitator. Combining her background in education and counseling with her personal experiences, she leads an interactive peer-support workshop focused on choosing joy during difficult seasons in life.
While taking time to heal, Jennifer is also actively raising awareness about the critical need for blood donors, which she credits with keeping her alive long enough to receive her life-saving Bone Marrow Stem Cell transplant.
Watch and Listen:
