Searching for Joy in Our Life

Recently, I read an article in ideal-Living.com by Kelly Godbey stating that eighty-seven percent of people have felt a constant stream of crises in the past two years with no break.  Each day we are bombarded with all the negative happenings around our city, state, country, and world.  For example, inflation, the constantly rising prices at the grocery store and the pumps, and war-torn areas like Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Somalia.   Our borders are being overwhelmed with immigrants and coyotes, bringing the drug wars in Mexico to the United States. It can be overwhelming, especially when trying to do the best thing possible for yourself, your family, and your friends.  At times, I question how I can help. How could one person help with the significant issues at hand?  Can I make a difference?  The answer is yes.  We do it by taking one small step at a time, by doing one small thing for others – to assist wherever we can.  Like a random act of kindness.

But first, we, as individuals, must seek JOY daily. The online Merriam-Webster dictionary defines JOY (verb) as experiencing great pleasure or delight. You must help yourself first to be in the right frame of mind to help others.  But as you help others, your outlook will become sunny.  The feeling inside is unmeasurable when you make a difference in someone else’s life.

It's essential to find JOY. Everyone deserves to find JOY in their life.  JOY can be as simple or small as seeing baby ducks waddle behind their mother, watching the beautiful sunset, or hearing an infant giggle.  Always remember that you get back what you put into the world – it comes full circle.

We don’t know what lies ahead, but we can decide to live a life that brings us JOY – finding JOY in the journey.  Stopping to experience JOY in the little things around you can reduce your daily stress.

Listed below are several ways you can put JOY back into your life.

1. Volunteer.
2. Connect with nature.
3. Be present in the now.
4. Look for meaning.
5. Keep a grateful journal.
6. Be authentic – especially when it comes to social media.

I’ve also included a few websites you might find interesting.

• https://oneexceptionallife.com/find-joy-in-the-journey/
• https://www.success.com/11-simple-ways-to-find-joy-in-your-everyday-life/
• https://tinybuddha.com/blog/feeling-empty-heres-how-to-find-joy-and-yourself-again/
• https://www.allprodad.com/10-ways-to-bring-joy-into-your-life/

Please get out and vote next Tuesday, November 8, 2022, for your local officials.

All my best,

Julie

Throw Kindness Around Like Confetti