Joy 101

When individuals hear the word joy, the image of wide and bright smiles may initially come to mind. On the surface, happiness and joy may seem synonymous. Although closely related, there is a stark difference between the two, specifically it is the attitude of choice.

Joy vs. Happiness

One noteworthy essay describes happiness as “depending on external factors to exists.” Therefore, individuals may get into the routine of saying, “When this happens, I’ll be happy.” This if-then mentality sends us into a never-ending cycle of waiting on happiness to fill a potential void and puts your happiness in the hands of Future. Joy, on the other hand, is more spiritual in nature. In fact, many religious denominations place joy as a sacred or holy emotion.

Something that is seen as a blessing or rewarding occurrence. However, universally, joy is accepted as a choice one makes. Despite various circumstances, whether financial hardships or personal differences, a person who chooses joy still maintains a positive outlook towards the future. Their joy is ever-present and consistent despite situations of despair.

Happiness is often times momentary and matched with a state of euphoria. Within the moment, there are no other negative influences that could drastically impact the level of happiness one experiences. Because of this emotional focus, happiness is only limited to circumstantial occurrences.

How Joy is Life-Changing

Since joy is a choice, this means it takes a concerted effort to achieve. It is quite simple to bask in the stress, negativity, and despair so prevalent in the world today. Certain situations can even make it easy to become victimized. Because of this, learning how to choose a joyous spirit is vital. One simple way to do this is to practice kindness, even when it’s difficult. This is especially necessary for employment where things can get hectic.

Clashing personalities, strict deadlines, and even unmanageable colleagues can make work-life a dread. However, you have the power to remain positive in the midst of negativity. Walk into the office with a smile and strive to be kind to everyone you encounter.

Don’t respond to negativity with combativeness. Instead, find your inner peace that cannot be destroyed. This mentality goes far beyond the office. It transcends to every avenue in life. If you suffer from disappointments, hard times, or failure, try to find the learning experience within.

This will empower you to push forward and find delight in your experiences whether positive or negative. This new mentality is life-changing because it forces you to find the positive in whatever you are handed. Unlike happiness which comes and goes, choosing joy lasts beyond the circumstantial positives. It can help mold and guide you throughout life’s difficulties.

How to Develop Joy

One of the primary ways to develop joy is to find meaning and purpose in everything that you do. This will give you a sense of living as opposed to living for something. One popular news source suggests “connecting authentically” with those around you. As opposed to searching for vanity or the negative, find a way to really get to know those in your sphere of influence. This will help you to develop a deeper human connection.

In addition, remaining humble and grateful are two primary ways to further develop your joy. When you focus on the good that your life has, you have no reason to be down or remorseful. In addition, understanding your limitations in comparison to the huge universe will help you to not take life too seriously. By focusing on heightening your connective awareness, you will be able to develop long-lasting joy.

Joy can help you to serve others, be a better friend, employer, person, and advocate. It provides you with a sense of fulfillment even during harsh times. In order to live a life filled with purpose and sanity, it’s imperative that you learn how to choose joy every day.

 

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Rule

Enjoy Your Journey

Enjoy Your Journey

Do You Enjoy Your Life? Are U Happy With Your Life?

There are only 24 hours in a day, and some of those hours U get to dedicate to the things that make U happy in life, while other hours may leave U miserable. While there will always be a mix of the two, there are too many people who are only just existed, rather than living. Rather than chasing dreams, they are simply accepting their circumstances.

While the thought of living happily or obtaining your dream life may seem ridiculous, there are people that manage it. Some people are in survival mode, living from paycheck to pay check, unable to consider dreams, hopes, or what a happy life may look like.

It shouldn’t take a tragedy for U to be able to admit what you want out of your life. Everyone will have different dreams and goals, and all anyone really wants is the freedom to obtain them. Do U long for a life that U can live on your own terms, spending your time on what matters?

Here are five signs that U may not be enjoying life and that U are not happy:

U Hate Your Job
If U are working a job that truly makes U miserable, it is going to have a negative effect on the rest of your life. It can increase your stress levels, and leave you feeling angry and resentful. It also forces U to spend time away from your family. U spend a lot of your time working, so U can’t really afford to hate your job so intensely. While U might not be living in the greatest economy, there are always opportunities to find jobs that will fulfil U.

You’re In A Toxic Relationship
While love can be an incredible feeling, it can also swing to the opposite extreme. It can be difficult to let go, even when you’re in a situation that U know is toxic. This is true of romantic relationships and platonic ones. If your relationship is fraught with fear, anger, and complacency then U should be moving on. You won’t find happiness if you’re floundering in a toxic relationship that is sapping U of all of your energy.

You Embrace The Negativity
Just like a toxic relationship, a negative attitude can derail all of your plans and progress. It often results in U starting to think your situation is good enough. That negativity isn’t necessarily just your own attitude; it could be other people, your environment, or even your habits. Take stock of your life and purge anything that is negative.

You Allow Fear To Take Control
We all struggle with self-belief, whether it’s because of a past failure or just our upbringing. If U allow that fear in, it will paralyze U from taking action. If you’ve allowed fear to limit your life, it’s time to say enough!

You Avoid Difficult Decisions
It’s easy to tell yourself you’ll take care of something later, so that U don’t need to deal with it now. The issue there is that later never actually comes and U keep avoiding the difficult decisions. You’re not going to live forever, so now is the time for U to claim the life you want. Making a change in your life starts with U, and it starts with your beliefs. If U believe that your life is hopeless and that you’re helpless then U will struggle to overcome your situation, and remain as U are. U will paralyze yourself from taking the necessary steps to lead a happy life.
Anything in life that is worth having will take hard work. It’s the journey that will make U grateful for what U have once U reach your destination. Life isn’t for settling, it’s for happiness and fulfilment.

Exercise

  1. Ask yourself- are U happy with your life?
  2. List everything that makes U happy?
  3. List the obstacles in your life that are preventing enjoyment and happiness.
  4. Decide what it will take to begin to be happy and live life to the fullest.
  5. Begin to develop small goals each and every day that will move U towards happiness and living a full life.

“Life is a journey, not a destination.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” — Eleanor Roosevelt