Joy manifests itself differently in each one of us. For some, it looks like intense happiness; for others, it can be a sense of pride. But we all have our ways of finding and experiencing joy.
But have you ever found yourself holding joy out in front of you? People have a tendency of saying that they’ll wait until they’re less overwhelmed, until they have more money, until the kids move out, or even until the house gets clean to let themselves feel joy. We dangle it in front of ourselves, like a carrot on a string.
But if you always wait for the moment to end, you’ll never get to experience true joy. So when the opportunity arises, accept it! The next time you are proud of your kids, or you completely nail that yoga pose you’ve been working on, embrace the joy.
If you find yourself frequently thinking negatively, looking at your glass as being half empty, focus on these ideas to help you let go of these patterns and start holding onto joy:
Gratitude: Every day, write down three things that you are grateful for. Consistently doing this will change your spirit. This is about focusing on what you have in this moment instead of longing for what you don’t have. I like to use the three things that I’m grateful for to set my intention for my yoga practice each day.
Perspective: When you go about your day, how often do you say that you have to do something? You have to exercise. You have to cook dinner. You have to clean the house. In actuality, you get to do all of these things! They mean that you have an able, healthy body, you can afford good food for your family, and you’re able to keep your family safe and warm in your home. This perspective change will cause a shift in your thinking.
Mindset: When you are confronted with a task that is overwhelming or frustrating, try adding this simple phrase to your thinking: “But I am still blessed.” This is great to use when you feel like complaining. For example, if you are frustrated because your kids won’t listen to you, say this: “I’m frustrated that my kids are being defiant, but I am so blessed. They are great kids that have had a rough day.” See how different that feels?
When we change our thoughts, and start substituting positive words for negative ones, our abilities to experience joy will grow. This is important because no one is responsible for giving you joy except for yourself. Joy comes from within.