Why Choose Joy?
It seems easy to choose joy when things are going well in our lives and our relationships are thriving, but what if they aren’t? What if traumatic things happen or we get in a terrible argument with our spouse? How is it possible to choose joy in those especially challenging moments?
It definitely is possible to choose joy in the midst of adversity, however, I will tell you it sure isn’t EASY.
Choosing joy in the midst of hard times is like building any new habit. It takes conscious work and requires a shift in mindset. Without effort and mindset, the practice of being truly joyful is simply impossible.
Today it is still hard for me to choose joy consistently, but I have built a stronger foundation than ever before. A foundation that’s built on faith, gratitude and intention.
But like I said, choosing joy requires hard, consistent work and it took awhile to get where I am at today.
Here are 5 ways that helped me build a more joyful mindset:
Gratitude - Yes, I know, I sound like a broken record, but guys, the practice of gratitude is EVERYTHING. This was probably the most important piece of my growth and success today. Take out a pen and paper and write down 5-10 things you are grateful for every single day. Doing this for 30-60 days will provide tremendous results in, not only, your energy, but also your mindset.
The 5 x 5 Rule - This is a rule that states that if you come across anything or any problem that won’t matter in 5 years, then it isn’t worth stressing about it for more than 5 minutes. This took some time to get used to, but the more I thought about this rule, the more I realized that a majority of the things I’ve worried about in my short life so far, have been worthless and completely forgotten about.
Drink ALL the Water - This seems like a weird piece of advice, but trust me, it works. The more water you drink, the better your body feels. The better your body feels, the more capacity you’ll have to choose joy. We all know it’s hard to be positive when in physical pain. Improving our body, can improve our minds.
Remember your Purpose - You know that saying “no pain, no gain”? I think of this alot when going through hard things. It reminds me that the pain I am enduring now will only make me more resilient and wiser. (well, hopefully) Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel always helps me change my view of situations or challenges. My purpose is to serve others by positively impacting them and helping them become the best versions of themselves. If I endure this pain or adversity, I can then use them as lessons and experiences, which will then help others in so many ways.
Breathwork - This is probably, if not, the most pivotal step in choosing joy. Afterall, without breath, we would not be alive today, so why not use it to improve our lives further? Taking a moment to pause and take a breath will, not only give you more clarity in that instant, but it is also an amazing reminder of how amazing your body is. It functions 24/7 without a single conscious command, and it has held you up during all the hard times that have brought you down this far. That’s pretty damn amazing if you tell me and something to absolutely be joyful about.
There are plenty of things that may help you choose joy, but these are the things that have really helped me through hard times. My hope for you is to choose joy as much as you possibly can, because life is too short for anything less than a joyful, happy life.
Have a lovely week everyone.
Love you all and take care.
MM
