Simple Ways to Have More Joy in Your Life

Joy – a feeling of great pleasure & happiness

True joy and happiness comes from within.  It is always a feeling we recognize inside ourselves, and yet we can fall into the trap of only seeking it outside.  The tendency is to want more….more of what we think will make us happy…money, love, fame, success, stimulation, adulation, fun etc.  And yes, I want those things too, but I’ve found that in order to truly enjoy those things, we have to be satisfied within ourselves with what we already have and accepting and appreciating where we are. 

Seek JOY and you will find it!

The pursuit of our heart’s desires should come with contentment, not more of an ache in our hearts that it’s not enough or that we are fundamentally not enough.  Our heart’s desires should be the whispers of what we can accomplish – of what God or the Universe know we can become or attain.  Whatever you can dream or believe, you can become…otherwise it wouldn’t be there, calling to us.  Joy is knowing that life is attainable.  God wants us to have life and to live it more abundantly. 

I want to be the kind of person who wakes up with the new day and feel that it is full of promise; my heart light and filled with gratitude.  I want to wake up with a smile on my face and excitement for all the things I get to do and want to tackle.  I want to look around and see the man I love, my pets and our comfortable home and feel satisfied at who I’ve become and what I’ve attracted into my life and accomplished.  Yes, I want to instantaneously feel all of that when my eyelids flutter open.

But just because I want something doesn’t mean it’s so.  I don’t always wake up feeling happy and grateful and ready for anything.  I wish I did, but more often than not, my first conscience thoughts are of petty worries, frustrations or negativity.  That doesn’t mean that I’m all doom and gloom, it just means that I’m not hard-wired for the kind of thoughts I wish came naturally. 

For me, joy is a choice; something that I have to work on cultivating and creating.  If it doesn’t come naturally, I must consciously create habits and rituals to trigger it.  I can practice thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that stimulate happiness within. 

I’m teaching myself to pay attention to my thoughts and feelings, especially the ones first thing in the morning and throughout the day.  The first thing in the morning is the perfect time to catch yourself and set the tone for the day.  I set my intention and practice what and who I appreciate in my life. 

Whatever we focus on expands, so I am learning to focus my attention on what I want, or appreciating what I have, especially the little things.  I am paying attention to my feelings because believe it or not, we can actually change them, or at least recognize where we are and work to feel, believe or think something else.  I have a choice in what I say about something.  Nothing is inherently true, I can change my mind.  I have that capacity.  We all do.  We just have to consciously practice it. 

If I want something, I need to be willing to put in the time and effort to get it, not berate myself for not having it. 

Joy can be triggered by outside influences and it’s our right as humans to decide what makes us smile and what makes our hearts lighter and our head clearer.  Following is a small list of things you can do to begin cultivating joy in your life.  If they don’t feel natural, that’s okay, we can fake it until we make it if need be! 

JOY Triggers:

Smile – it’s so easy, doesn’t cost a thing and will make you and anyone who sees it happier. 

Make eye contact – whether it’s an animal or a human, looking into someone’s eyes is an instant connection

Make a list of things you like/love or bring you pleasure – you might surprise yourself with how many things make your heart sing. 

Take a risk – there’s nothing like putting yourself out there to get the heart racing. 

Laugh – even if you have to fake it; yes you can fake laughter and it might get you going for real

Pet a pet – giving love or care to an animal will calm and soothe your soul. 

Give a compliment – it’s the easiest and cheapest way to give a gift.

Skip – we walk, we run… when did we stop skipping and why? 

Breathe deeply – pay attention to your breathe anytime during the day and it will center you.  Take a deep breath and feel the essence of life. 

Sigh it out – when breathing out make a loud sighing noise…it feels so good to let it all go.

Meditate – simple sit quietly and watch your breath or your thoughts or the world go by and realize there is nothing you need to do

Get in nature – nature is all around, find it…parks, gardens, plants in your home or work.  Take yourself or your pet for a walk and just listen. 

Hold hands – reach out and touch someone – feels so good.

Hug – hugging literally gives us that heart to heart connection…ahhh.

Help someone – listen, pay attention, offer assistance…get involved and help out. 

Clean or organize something – take five minutes and clean or organize anything.  You’ll feel better. 

Okay fellow JOY seekers, keep on keeping on.  Start paying attention to where you are, what you’re feeling and thinking and what you want to feel and think.  It’s all within our grasp, it’s truly all within us.  It just feels like it isn’t.  We have the power to create what we want.  Our heart is our guide, but we must help it out by feeding it love.  Our heart is a two way street – it gives and we must give back.  Pay attention, focus on the good, and practice, practice, practice.  And don’t forget to enjoy the JOY-ney!