When we look at life from God’s perspective, we have faith to experience joy amid even the toughest circumstances. Living with joy is what each of us desires for the new year. Anything short of this would be a great disappointment. So, what is your strategy to achieve this goal? How about creating something to look forward to accomplishing. It could be a special vacation, such as a cruise or a trip to the family’s favorite theme park, or it could be just being a good friend to yourself.
Live a happier, healthier life by implementing powerful habits into your daily routine. Whether it’s managing your social media diet or accepting what you can’t change, being intentional can help to get your mood on track and boost those happiness hormones.
To maintain a life filled with joy, create things you want to achieve or just do something to perform that is different and exciting. This will encourage a sense of normality. Even if you have had a hard day, you can create something that sparks joy in your life.
One of the most important things for feeling happier is our connections with other people. Find a nonprofit organization where you can work with other people who share this same interest. You will be amazed at how much joy it will bring to your life.
If you find yourself feeling a bit down, a great pick-me-up is to do is something kind for another person. When we do kind things for others, our body’s reward system is activated and it releases the reward neuron dopamine. When you are doing something for someone else, it takes your mind off of your own worries as well.
Many believe a person can discover the key to tackling loneliness through a simple act of kindness. Those who make time to help others stop feeling lonely themselves. Doing something kind for someone else can give you a boost of joyful feeling.
So, as you contemplate some of your new year’s resolutions remember to do the things that will bring joy into your life—things that will fill your life with happiness. The Bible teaches us that “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Joy and happiness have the power to heal, while the opposite can cause great pain. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. So, live a life full of joy and Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
By Dr. Walter Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net
