|
JOY
Welcome to the beginning of summer! There’s something magical about June for so many people. For students, it’s the end of the school year. For teachers, it’s the end of the school year! Some are planning family vacations, others are graduating, still others are getting married. June is a month of JOY.
Joy is an emotion, a feeling… something that happens without us thinking about it. Many people think of joy and happiness as being the same but, in fact, they’re very different. Happiness is an emotion aroused when we buy a new car or get a promotion at work. It’s dependent on our circumstances occurring in accordance with our desires. Joy, however, is an emotion that occurs within us when we develop an appreciation/thankfulness for things such as nature, freedom, relationships with people and faith in something larger than ourselves.
Joy and happiness are both great feelings, but being happy is a result of good circumstances, and we can’t rely on good circumstances all the time. Joy, on the other hand, is an emotion that can be present in our daily lives. It’s something we can work on daily, much like the process of getting physically fit. Writing the three things you are most grateful for in a gratitude journal each night is a great way to practice joy.
Joy is a powerful emotion and the opposite of fear, our second most influential emotion. These two emotions are in constant battle and, when joy loses to fear, we withdraw and forget all that we have to be joyful for. One of my favorite sayings in times of fear is: Faith and fear cannot co-exist, so you must choose one! Look around, and you will see that you have much to be joyful about.
Something to Think About
Teaching yourself to be joyful is the single greatest thing you can do to enhance your health. Advancing medical technology is teaching us that the human physiology and psyche are affected by negative and positive emotions. Our three primary negative emotions – fear, anger and sadness – have devastating effects on our bodies when experienced in a prolonged state. On the other hand, our two primary positive emotions – joy and excitement – are like medicine to the body. Which do you choose?
Weekly Activity
Who in your life is joyful? Think of the different people in your life, and make a list of those who seem most joyful. Here are some traits you might see in them: They’re in good health, they value discipline and strong relationships, and they’re appreciative and thankful. Now make a list of those who are negative and fearful. What are their common traits? How are their relationships? How do you feel when you’re around them? Drained? This week, make a conscious decision to spend more time in the company of those who are joyful, and see how you feel.
Words of Wisdom
“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” – Greg Anderson
“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” –Albert Einstein
“When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” – Tecumseh
“We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time, and take little pauses to relax and re-center ourselves. And we'll also have a lot more joy in living.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
“Once you have to start counting calories, it takes away from the joy of eating.” – Mireille Guiliano
|
No comments:
Post a Comment