So I'm creating this affirmation card yesterday and it said something about joy and I wanted a picture to go on it.  So I clicked on Clipart by Microsoft and typed in joy.  I also did the same at one of the stock photo websites.

Can you guess what comes up?

Kids, babies, and various abstracts.

My thoughts were, "Aren't adults joyful?"  Why weren't there any pictures of adults?  Ok, there were a few, but they had kids/babies in the pics with them.

Do we just lose it as the years grow on us?  Do we forget how to be joyful?  Do we forget what it even feels like and therefore don't work to create it?  Does life just get too tough?  I don't know.

I see people and hear stories all the time about people who are joyful despite their circumstances.  I know they are not the majority, but what makes them different?  I think joyfulness - or any other emotion for that matter - is a choice.  We all choose how we respond to situations.  What if we responded with joy?  What if we do what my 9 year old calls Flip It?  And take whatever statement, circumstance, or feeling, and turn it around to see the positive? 

I'm not saying you should ignore or suppress what are labeled as negative emotions.  Definitely acknowledge them.  Then Flip It.  What good can you see?  What positive came out of the situation?  Or fill in the blank that Andie always starts, "At least ___________________________."  (This is the girl who says things like, "I'm thankful I came in last in my race, because at least that means I can run.)

What can you do today to create joy in your life?

 

What did you think of this article?

Liked
Disliked
No Opinion