A Day Out at Willen Lake (a.k.a. Willy Lake) in Milton Keynes 🌞

 

Hey beautiful souls!

Thanks for stopping by MaryamsJoyfulLife today. I’m so excited to share a little slice of our summer adventures here in the UK. Recently, my sweetman and I, along with the kids and family, took a day trip to Willen Lake—also lovingly known as Willy Lake—in Milton Keynes, and it was quite the experience!

Willen Lake is absolutely stunning. The lake stretches nearly 2 miles wide and is surrounded by lush, plush trees and a peaceful hiking trail. It really is a picturesque spot to enjoy a scenic walk or simply soak in the beauty of nature.

We were especially impressed with the water sports area, which features fun slides, a floating castle, and lots of exciting activities for the more adventurous. For little ones, there’s a splash pad, but just a heads-up—you’ll need to pay to access it. (Also, parking at the lake isn’t free, so keep that in mind when planning your visit.)

As we walked around the lake, we spotted swans and ducks gracefully swimming by—such a calming sight. The heat was definitely real that day (hot MK sun, anyone?), and my nephew Shower made sure we knew how he felt about it, haha! The kids weren’t the biggest fans of the heat either, but my sweetman and I really enjoyed the stroll and the views.

There’s a hotel nestled right in the lake village, and if you’re feeling peckish or just want to relax, there’s also a pub where you can grab a pint and a bite to eat. Super convenient and charming!

The baby slept through the whole adventure in her stroller (mama win!), only waking up right at the end—just in time for her feed. 😊

If I had to rate the whole experience, I’d give it a solid 7 out of 10. It was a beautiful place, even if the heat made things a bit tricky for the kids. We’re still having a great time in the UK, and honestly, my sister has been the best host ever—so grateful!

Until next time,

Don’t let anyone steal your joy! 💛

Love always,

Maryam

Sweet Date Night at Kaspa’s Milton Keynes – A Little Joy, A Lot of Love 🍨💛

 

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for checking out the blog today! It’s a beautiful day, and I’m excited to be back with another joyful moment to share with you.

My sweetman and I recently had a much-needed date night — and it was just what our hearts needed. Of course, in true Maryam fashion, we brought our sweet baby along with us (because she goes everywhere with us and adds to the joy every single time!).

We took a cozy little drive to Kaspa’s in Milton Keynes for some dessert indulgence. It was actually my sweetman’s first time there, and let me just say — we were not disappointed!

We ordered a few mouthwatering treats:

• A creamy, dreamy tiramisu dessert cup
• A cozy matcha mocha
• And the star of the night — a heavenly treat with a chocolate chip base, topped with vanilla gelato, peanut butter, caramel drizzle, and a little extra sweetness that made every bite unforgettable

We spent the evening chatting, laughing, and just enjoying each other’s company. The simple moments are always the best, and this one felt extra special. Being in the UK has been such a lovely adventure, and there’s still so much more we’re excited to explore.

Now… here’s the part where we had a rookie mistake moment 😅 — we sat down at our table and waited… and waited… and waited. For a whole 30 minutes, we kept wondering why no one was coming to take our order. I completely forgot that at Kaspa’s, you actually place your order at the counter!

I finally asked my sweetman to go up and order, and we had a good laugh about it — I guess I had a mini flashback thinking we were back in the States where servers come to you. Once we placed our order, everything came out in less than 15 minutes and it was so worth the wait.

Everything was delicious, the atmosphere was cozy, and the time together was exactly what we needed. We’re already looking forward to going back again soon!

Have you ever been to Kaspa’s? Let me know what your favorite dessert is — I love trying new things!

Thanks for reading and spending a little time with me today.

Until next time — don’t let anyone steal your joy.

With love,

Maryam 💕

When the World Feels Heavy — Let’s Pray Together

Hello guys,

Thanks for checking out the Maryamsjoyfullife blog today. I hope you and your family are well and safe.

Today, I’m writing with a heavy heart. The current state of the world—especially what’s happening in the Middle East—has been deeply overwhelming. If you’ve been feeling anxious, helpless, or even numb, please know that I see you, I feel you, and I totally understand… because I feel heavy too.

In the past, news of wars felt far away—too distant to touch or disrupt daily life. But not anymore. Maybe it’s because I’m a mom now, and I dream of a bright, joyful future for my kids. Or maybe it’s because some of my clients and friends are directly affected by the violence and instability.

Just last week, I spoke to a dear client who had to take shelter in a bomb shelter in Israel with her family. Her long-awaited cruise had to be canceled because the airports were shut down. I couldn’t sleep for days thinking about her safety and the fear they must be living through. It reminded me that these aren’t just headlines—these are real people, real families, real lives.

While it may seem like there’s nothing we can do, I believe that those of us who are not living in war zones still can do something powerful: we can pray.

We can pray for peace.

We can pray for protection.

We can pray for healing.

We can pray for divine intervention.

We can pray that God touches the hearts of leaders and brings about wisdom and resolution.

If you’re feeling powerless, prayer is power. I’m inviting you to join me tomorrow morning for a live prayer session at 6:00 AM New York time on YouTube.com/maryamsjoyfullifeblog. We’ll lift our voices together and stand in faith because I believe that when prayers go up, answers come down.

Let’s unite in love and hope, and be the light this world so desperately needs.

Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you tomorrow morning.

With love,

Maryam

Maryamsjoyfullife

Time Wasters, Discernment, and Protecting Your Purpose

Hello guys, welcome to MaryamsJoyfulLife!

Today is a beautiful day, and honestly—regardless of how I feel—it’s still an amazing day. I’m so grateful for the power to choose my focus and shift my energy, even when life throws a few curveballs. That choice alone is powerful—and it changes everything.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on something deep, especially as someone who truly enjoys serving others. I love showing up, giving my best, and going the extra mile—even when it’s not convenient. That’s just how I’m wired. But here's the truth: that extra mile hasn't always led to the kind of business I want.

I’ve noticed a pattern that I can no longer ignore:
The people I bend over backward for—researching, advising, supporting—many of them have turned out to be time wasters. They don’t follow through. They pull energy, not progress. They take the information and disappear. And honestly? It hurts.

Meanwhile, there's another trend—one that’s been so clear lately:
The clients who come prepared, knowing exactly what they want, making no extra demands, and even paying higher—those are the ones who close the deal. Quickly. Smoothly. Efficiently.

Seeing this has made me ask myself:
Should I stop going the extra mile? Should I start saying no to “let me pick your brain” conversations that don’t lead anywhere?
Should I reserve my best only for the ones who are serious about doing business?

My ego says YES—just stop! Stop giving so much. Stop hoping. Stop showing up so hard for people who don't match your energy.

But my spirit says pause. Reflect. Discern.

So I’m praying—for discernment. Discernment to know when someone is a time waster, and when someone is truly sent for a season of purpose. Because honestly, I’m tired of empty wells. I want to pour into places that pour back.

And maybe you’ve been there too.
Maybe you have gone all out for someone, thinking they’d be the one to support your business, only to realize it was all smoke and no fire. If you’ve been in that predicament, I see you. I feel you. And I want to pray with you:

Lord, I pray that you would give us wisdom to see who is truly meant to walk this business journey with us. Remove time wasters from our path and replace them with real clients, real opportunities, and real connections. Make the process smooth, the outcome joyful, and the energy returned—pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Thank you for walking through this moment with me. If you’re building something with your heart and soul—don’t stop. Just adjust your approach. Protect your gift. Guard your energy. And stay rooted in your purpose.

As always, don’t forget to check out MaryamsJoyfulLifeLuxuryVacation.com for all of your travel needs.
Call me directly at 470-765-2745 to book your next dream vacation!
Sending you love from the UK 💛

With joy and strength,
Maryam

Touchdown in London: A Whirlwind Welcome & City Adventures

 

Our First 48 Hours in London – A Whirlwind of Delays, Surprises, and Beautiful Moments

Hello guys, welcome back to Maryam’s Joyful Life — today is a beautiful day, and I’m so excited to share with you our first 48 hours in

London!

Let’s just say the journey started with a little chaos! After a 5-hour delay in Atlanta, our flight to Montreal finally took off. Because of the delay, we had to change our original connecting flight to London — we were definitely not going to make it in time for the first one. While we waited at the Atlanta airport, we hoped to relax in the United Airlines lounge (which they share with Air Canada), but unfortunately, it’s only accessible to those with Gold status — and that wasn’t us.

By the time we arrived in Canada, there wasn’t even time to check out the Maple Leaf Lounge. It was a quick dash to the restroom, and then straight to boarding. But we were just happy to finally be on the plane heading to London!

When we landed, the most heartwarming moment happened — my sister surprised us at the airport! I hadn’t seen her in so long, and it was the perfect welcome after a long journey.

We only had one night in London before heading to her place, so we planned to do the famous London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and a City River Cruise — both included in our 48-hour pass. But we arrived too late and too tired to start exploring right away. Instead, my sister ordered us a delicious Turkish rice and lamb kebab meal. It was absolutely amazing! After dinner, we took a much-needed nap, and then my sister had to head back home. We planned to join her the next day after our mini London adventure.

The next morning, we enjoyed a delightful breakfast at the Hampton by Hilton Hotel in Old Street, London. They had waffle makers and other hot breakfast items — everything tasted great and gave us a good start to our day. After checking out, we left our luggage with the concierge and set off to explore.

We began our tour at London Bridge, hopping on the red double-decker bus, taking in the views of the historic city. We ended the experience with the river cruise, which offered spectacular views of iconic landmarks — from Tower Bridge to the London Eye. If you’re planning your travels, book with us at maryamsjoyfullifeluxuryvacation.com or call 470-765-2745. We make your travel dreams come true!

After the tour, we stopped for lunch at Nosh Café. The jerk chicken was absolutely flavorful and well-seasoned. The smashed burger, however, didn’t quite hit the mark, and the club sandwich was just okay — nothing too special. But it was a good stop to rest and recharge.

After lunch, we headed back to the hotel, grabbed our bags, and called a taxi to take us to the train station — off to my sister’s home for the next part of our adventure!

Thank you so much for checking out Maryam’s Joyful Life today. Whether your journey is filled with delays or delightful surprises, remember — don’t let anyone steal your joy. 💛