Recent Works

Recent works by Joy Mills.

Joy Mills’ interview with Lynda Brotherton on ABC KDNL 30 St. Louis. The Allman Report Friday, June 24, 2016.

To view the interview, visit ABC KDNL 30 St. Louis The Allman Report.

Between Heaven & Earth The Soul Purpose: Am I Good Enough?

There are two kinds of people in the world: the Givers and the Takers. The difference between the two is that the Takers eat well, and the Givers sleep well at night. So begins this special book about hope and change, growth and fulfillment. It’s about how to embrace those unexpected curves life periodically throws into our path, and how to find the courage and strength to face them. With this life-affirming work, hope for tomorrow begins today!

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As we travel on our spiritual path, we need to remember four important principles as they will enable us to see our goal more clearly.

1. Complacency is dangerous;
2. We have been programmed to desensitize ourselves;
3. We tend to make the crossroads confusing;
4. Enlightenment in its truest form is salvation.

As we delve deeper into the significance of each of these principles, we appreciate their wisdom in defining our goals and possible pitfalls as we progress along our path. Although each is in some manner related to the other, they have their own individual value as well.

Not only is the number four significant to the principles above, four reminds us of the natural forces which influence us: there are four main compass directions, four seasons in a year. Similarly, four natural elements will guide us and serve us well on our journey embodied in Earth, Wind, Fire and Water.

As we are aware, the starting point is the self and when we begin with ourselves, we will find that our most profound resource is inner peace.

We begin the path by contemplating the significance in strenght and will, courage and fortitude. These basic elements, when fully applied, will greatly assist us throughout our journey.

Destination Spirituality

Each of us has a unique, special gift that is meant to be shared with the world, wherever we are on our own individual spiritual journeys. As we learn, grow, and our own inner peace evolves and thrives, we develop greater understanding of the world around us and for each other. The love we give in this world is the same love that will return to us. We will develop a universal understanding, for we are all from the same Source. And we find that, as physical beings with souls, we are all connected to one another through that Source, for everyone has a soul, and each soul is connected to all the others within our realm of existence.

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As we begin to determine the factors that block us from attaining clarity, we begin to realize that we need to dig deeper into ourselves to find the true and ultimate causes. While the answers might initially appear simple, they may, in fact, be complicated since we may have to look much closer and longer than we might have originally thought. Just as a diamond is comprised of may facets, every individual experience has many facets as well: each time the diamond is turned under a shining light, a different group of shimmering facets appears. And so it is with the human psyche.

Desperation, Fear and Love

Desperation, Fear and Love is a book about relationships that helps us learn to process and live through the grieving process. Whether you have lost a loved one through a separation or death, Desperation, Fear and Love gives a subtle and enduring hope to guide us through change, survival and growth. Since life happens to us whether we want it to or not, it is imperative to have the right tools-emotionally and spiritually-so that we may be prepared for the difficult times that lie ahead.

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One of the biggest heartbreaks we might endure is the loss of a loved one when he or she has crossed over to the other side. It is finality in that we no longer see them, speak with them or touch them–our lives are forever changed.

Death in our society is a dirty word. It's something unspeakable for fear that it might happend if it's mentioned. Often, the friends we knew when our loved ones were alive will avoid us after our loved one has passed, as if they have nothing more in common with us, or that death might visit them if they continue to associate with us.

Our life together with our loved one is indeed over. But what we had with them remains and, because they continue to exist on a different level, our loved one remains with us, perhaps even helping us fron another dimension. Sometimes our loved ones come to us in the dream state and we remember their visits with us when we awaken. We can be reassured, then, that they're still with us, even though we are required to continue our daily lives without them.

I Wish Death Would Take A Vacation – My Story

History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.

There was no doubt that I am ready for death to take a vacation as many others around me are experiencing a lot of the same things and learning how to deal with grief or having to let go. I am learning you have to look at it in a way so it doesn’t overwhelm you.

For most of my life, I had seen the world in black and white. Some years back, I had to replace, “Why me, with “What is next?” Gut wrenching and dark doesn’t begin to describe it but I know when you break, you become strongest in the broken places, and the light will get in. This is my story…

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I Wish Death Would Take A Vacation – The Story Continues

After the publication of the first book of this series, I Wish Death Would Take A Vacation – My Story, so many have sat before me, days or weeks after their mothers’ death. I never dreamt my story would continue with an addendum, helping lead the way for what was going to be one of the darkest and most arduous journeys for many, the death of their moms.

My mother’s death, as of this writing, will be rolling up on the third anniversary although my memories of the days and weeks that led up to her death have somewhat faded. My feelings of sorrow are bone-deep. I do not need to remember with any amount of clarity to feel the overwhelming sadness.

There was a point a year, or so ago, I believed I would someday be beyond the bewilderment of grief. I remember all too well walking down a long hallway learning my mother was dying. At the time of my mother’s death, I kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear, “Save a seat at the table.”

The story continues.

I Wish Death Would Take a Vacation – This Side of Heaven

Life is like a book.
Some chapters break you.
Some make you smile.
And some change you forever —
whether you are ready or not.

Joy Mills wasn’t ready.

This book wasn’t planned. Neither was cancer. Neither was the sudden passing of her son Greg. Neither were the dark nights she thought she’d never escape. Life handed her more than she believed she could carry.

She carried it anyway.

There is no way to reconcile loss like this. She can write about it — place words around the edges so you understand the shape of the wound. But make peace with it? No. Her cancer and Greg’s death belong in the same story because they both
marked the undoing of the life she knew. One cracked the foundation. The other brought the house down.

That is the truth.

Some days, she still wishes death would take a vacation.

This is the story of learning to live on the days it doesn’t.