Joy Makes Us More of Who We Are

 

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

1. If you had all the time in the world, what activities would you engage in?
2. How can you find novelty in everyday life?
3. If you won the big lottery, what would you do?
4. 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?
5. When you were a child, what brought you the greatest joy?
6. What unique personal qualities do you like sharing with the world?
7. 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. 

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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.