Dear Friends,
Today’s newsletter goes out on my birthday — February 27.
At Joy Crazy®, we try to use any excuse to celebrate. A sunny day? Celebrate. A new pickleball player? Celebrate. A lesson learned the hard way? Definitely celebrate.
Since it’s my birthday, here’s a quiz for you:
How old do you think I’m turning today? 😉
I’ll share the answer at the end.
Remember: joy doesn’t have to wait for perfect conditions — you can choose it right now.
With warmth and gratitude,
Shannon 🌼
SHINE
Be the star that you are!
Above is a photo of a print by award-winning photojournalist Steven Daniel. My son, Ian, purchased this print, titled "Pickleball," at the famous Ann Arbor Art Fair in Michigan, which hosts a half-million visitors each summer.
Daniel's website, AdventuresOfaTreeFrog.com, is filled with whimsical photos (and videos) of tree frogs at work, play, school, and much more. On his website he explains, "The frogs crawl, climb, and jump, as frogs do. I just need to catch them at the right moment. When I’m successful, it looks like trick photography."
When you have a talent, lean into it
📸
The last thing I was expecting when my sons came to visit last month was a photo of a tree frog playing pickleball. But it was a perfect gift for "Mom" when you know she's an "older" pickleball instructor! Haha.
Not only do I love the gift and the sentiment behind it, but I also appreciate the joy and creativity expressed by photojournalist Steven Daniel, who is using his talents to try something new. He is truly leaning into this art form and making himself and the tree frogs stars!
On his website he writes, "The frog series came about following my time working as a newspaper photographer and exhibiting black and white work. I was looking for a new challenge. I found inspiration in the uniqueness of tropical tree frogs and their vivid colors."
I, too, am leaning into my talents of creating joyful experiences — whether that's designing pickleball game sessions just for women 50+ or creating a less cumbersome class registration process:
- 50+ Women's Pickleball Classes - I will be teaching these new classes this spring through Portland Community College's Community Ed program. Both the Beginning Women 50+ and Intermediate Women 50+ classes are for players who already know the rules of pickleball, and are eager for friendly and competitive game play with peers. Registration opens at 7 AM Wednesday, March 4.
- New Punch Card Payment System - Starting in March 2026, I am starting a new payment system. When you join a Daisy Doubles Pickleball class on our Joy Crazy Pickleball Meetup page, you can pay using one of two links found in the event's description. Either pay for the individual class or purchase a punch card that offers seven classes for the price of six. You must still RSVP on the Daisy Doubles Meetup event page, but now you can also be added to an automated waitlist (finally!) if the event is full. Plus, you will no longer have to pay additional Meetup fees when you register for a class—win-win!
👉 To purchase a punch card and get all of the details click this link.
"Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best."
—Henry Van Dyke🦉
LEARN
Embrace an "I'm Learning" spirit through life's ups and downs!
In the photo above "Chief Daisy," Shannon Paul M.Ed., holds the book, Hello Sleep by Jade Wu, PhD.
Never stop learning, even about your sleep!
😴
I am enjoying my latest library read, Hello Sleep by Jade Wu, PhD, that's packed with practical advice supported by research. It's reminding me that, our bodies are always going through ups and downs — they are never “finished."
My doctor recommended this book and reminded me that sleep patterns change. Hormones shift. Recovery takes longer. What worked at 30 may not work at 50 or 60 — and that’s not failure, it’s physiology.
Staying curious about our changing bodies is an act of self-respect, and an “I’m learning” mindset allows us to adjust with compassion instead of frustration.
What is your latest read? Let us know in the comments.
Grab your Joy Crazy® visor!
👉 To purchase, click here.
Plus, receive a free daisy flower clip to attach to your visor (if desired).
Visor pick up available in class or by arrangement, email [email protected]
Register for Joy Crazy Pickleball Classes
Intro to Pickleball
Quiet Pickleball
Daisy Doubles (2.0 & 3.0)
Available now!
CONNECT
Find joy in building community connections.
What could be better than a family photo on the pickleball court? How about a discount on pickleball gear!?
In the lower right photo (above) I'm sporting my prescription tinted safety glasses from A Sight for Sport Eyes. Good news, when you click this link to their website and use the code "JoyCrazy" at checkout — or mention Joy Crazy when shopping in person at their West Linn, Oregon location — you will get an 8% discount!
Above you can see we had a lovely time during our Joy Crazy® Field Trip to the East County Pickleball Courts in Troutdale, Oregon. The pickleball facility, a former grocery store, is one of Oregon's largest with twelve indoor courts. Included in the center photo back row (L-R): Jeffery (a new Joy Crazy player!), Patti, Missy, Shannon, Dave, and Debbie. Bottom row (L-R): my sons, Ian and Parker. In the upper left photo Parker is serving, while in the upper right photo, Patti hits a return shot. In the lower left photo, Jeffery volleys at the kitchen while Debbie, behind him, is in ready position.
Take a risk
🙋🏽
Community doesn’t just happen — someone has to go first. We met Jeffery, a new member of the Joy Crazy® community, when we ventured to the East County Pickleball Courts (ECPC) in Troutdale, Oregon on a chilly Sunday in January. Jeffery is still fairly new to pickleball, but is already a member of ECPC and saw our event listed on Meetup and decided to sign up.
Jeffery was a delight to meet and I really admire and appreciate the guts it took to join a group of folks without knowing much about them. That's the joy pickleball can bring.
In fact, you may want to take a leap of faith yourself and sign up for ECPC's St. Paddy's Day Themed Round Robin on Sunday, March 15. Wear your green and join one of three levels, 3.0-3.5/3.5-4.0/4.0+, for some friendly competition and prizes.
👉 For event details, click here.
More than being a pickleball instructor, I see myself as a Joy Advocacy Coach — committed to shining brightly, staying curious, and building community at every stage of life. Yes, even at age 57. 🥳
Don't forget to forward this email to a friend to brighten their day.
Thank you for being part of this Joy Crazy® community!
Shannon Paul, M.Ed. 🌼
Chief Daisy
Joy Crazy®
P.S. I truly love hearing from you. If something in this newsletter resonated, feel free to hit "reply" and let me know!
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To contact Shannon Paul, M.Ed., please click here.
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