Many of us live like Professional Hinkle in Frosty the
Snowman… “Busy, Busy, Busy!”
We have jobs, families, volunteer work. Homes to clean,
yards to cut, meals to cook. We cart our kids around to soccer practice and chaperone school field trips. We pack it all in and sometimes
even manage to fit in working out and meditation—that is, if we get up before
the crack of dawn.
What about relaxation…play…joy?
How have our lives become so busy that we no longer have time to include these
important elements?
From a young age, we’ve been taught to value actions
and accomplishments over relaxing and doing things that bring us joy. We’ve
learned that play is for children and that we should derive joy from our
accomplishments.
Yet somewhere along my journey, I began to challenge
these “truths” because I feel better when I take time each day to relax and
engage in activities I enjoy.
Studies show countless benefits for doing things that
make you happy, including improved heart health, enhanced mental health, reduced
risk of strokes, improved immunity, increased life expectancy, and less stress
in one’s life.
For some, “happy, happy, joy, joy” doesn’t come easily.
It may be because we’re out of practice, we don’t make time for it, or we’ve
simply forgotten what brings us joy. If the first two resonate with you, make a
commitment to carve out pockets of time for joy and see the positive impact it
makes on your life. If it’s the latter—you’ve forgotten what brings you joy—
read on for some great tips!
7 Questions to Help Uncover What Brings
You Joy
- If you had all the time in the world, what activities would you engage in?
- How can you find novelty in everyday life?
- If you won the big lottery, what would you do?
- Think about the times in your life when you’ve felt the greatest joy. What were you doing? Who were you with? How were you being?
- When you were a child, what brought you the greatest joy?
- What unique personal qualities do you like sharing with the world?
- What would your life look like if you put yourself first?
Joy is a choice and a positive practice. Every day
when you get up, choose to make time for joy. Commit that you’ll find and
experience joy throughout your day, regardless of what’s happening in the world
around you.
Having fun helps us know ourselves better. When we engage
in activities that we enjoy, we enlighten ourselves and others, and make
ourselves more of who we really are.
“Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the
whole aim and the end of human existence.”— Aristotle
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author
of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with inspiring and empowering ideas to live one's best life.
*
THE PERFECT LAP, His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line?
Reader Review Excerpt: “It was a heartfelt, sweet, foster child
romance that gave me all the feels! Through it, we see how people can rise
above past mistakes and that is a beautiful message!”
THE PERFECT LAP is a Reader’s Favorite Finalist
for Contemporary Romance. Available as eBook, paperback, and audiobook. Purchase
link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
CLOUD WHISPERS: A novel of family and forgiveness with a strong spiritual
message: The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey
to redefine her fate….
Reader
Review Excerpt: “A
beautifully woven story filled with love, loss, betrayal and renewal. It
touches the heart of the reader as life unfolds for Liam and Katie. Peppered
throughout the story are spiritual awakenings and life lessons which help to
clarify many of the “why’s” in each of our lives. While Cloud Whispers includes
passionate love stories, it also feeds your spirt and renews your soul. The
gifts from this novel are unforgettable.”
CLOUD WHISPERS was
awarded the IPPY Bronze medal winner for visionary fiction, Reader’s Favorite
Finalist for visionary fiction, and an Official Selection in the Summer eBook
Awards for New Apple Literary. CLOUD WHISPERS purchase link: https://amzn.to/2IZ6DRc.
To sign up for my Peace,
Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/.
Photo by Simi Iluyomade on Unsplash.
