Our lives these days can get really crazy with all that we have going on. Bills, deadlines, traffic, kids – not to mention all the problems illustrated by the news – they can all disable our capacity to experience joy.
It is not surprising that we are an overworked and stressed world. According to the American Medical Association, stress is a factor in more than 75% of sickness today. And according to the World Health Organization, stress is America’s #1 health problem.
The opposite of being stressed is to experience joy. The simple state of being that is grateful and sees the beauty and pleasure around them BEFORE the pain and pressure. I’m not suggesting ignore the bad stuff, but put it in its place. If you’re walking every day in a state dominated by what’s hard or painful or what’s wrong or what could go wrong – how effective will be you be at dealing the realities of the day? Not very good.
You’ve got to find the joy in your life! It’s there, I promise. But you have to go get it–it doesn’t come to you. That legendary Hollywood story about Lana Turner being discovered and made a star just because she was sitting on a bar stool at Schwab’s drugstore? Not true. Like anyone who ever became a success in her business, she had to do it the old fashioned way – she earned it! She didn’t just sit there and wait for it to come to her.
Here’s a few ways to experience the joy in your life right away–
- Offer a gift. It can be to anybody – a co-worker, friend, relative or even a stranger. It doesn’t matter who you give it to, as long as you give it. It doesn’t even have to be physical. It can be a silent prayer or a complement. Selflessness is one of the greatest drivers of positive change in our world – start doing some giving and we will all receive.
- Walk within nature. Ask yourself, when was the last time you spent any time outdoors? Naturally, nature provides us joy. It is always within our reach and always available to raise our spirits.
- Become a better listener. Maybe a family member or a friend could use a friend. Be that sounding board and experience the happiness of being there for someone else. As actors we call this “getting out of yourself”. Sometimes the biggest obstacle to your own joy is you.
- Go work out. This is a scientific truth. Exercise enhances our endorphins and lifts our mood. Science has long understood the relationship of exercise with cognitive and emotional abilities. We were born to be active creatures
- Throw yourself a curve. At times, our usual routine can get us off, but we are not aware of it. Identify inactive energy and know how you can change it. Reorganize you plans. Eat at a new restaurant. Create a new approach on your day
- Change your space. Our physical environment like our living room, kitchen, office, etc, can be throwing up some big roadblocks. Change the things around you. Move your furniture. Start forcing your movement to show you the world in a different and more appealing way. You’ll find some things you were missing – literally and figuratively
- Be appreciative and grateful. If you do nothing else, do this! And don’t tell me you have nothing to be grateful for – you’re breathing, aren’t you? Then move to the ground you’re stepping on. Then move on the clothes on your back. Are you feeling me? This is absolutely unquestionable – if we are grateful, we are happy. When you are gratified and appreciative about a lot of things, you become happier. Joy will at all times bring about more joy.
The power is yours; the joy is there if you want it. Come on, what are you waiting for! Go get yourself some joy!
