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10 steps to Living Joyfully 2/13/2009 4:49:13 PM
10 Steps to Experiencing Joy Many times we find ourselves looking for joy based on our outer lives which includes things, our careers, and even people. Living a truly joyful life begins with the heart , soul, and mind. If you find yourself struggling to find happiness or joy try the following ten tips.
1. Be thankful: cultivating gratitude opens the way to let happiness into your life. When you are thankful, you are focusing on the good in your life, not the things that you wish would change. I start every day saying and writing, “Thank you for this beautiful, glorious day.”
2. Give: no matter what is going on in your financial life, you do have the ability to give something. You can donate clothing, canned food, your time, etc. If things are really tight, you may have to get creative in how you give. Giving makes you feel good.
3. Journal: make it a point to write in a journal every day. Every so often, read through past journal entries. Often, you will see personal growth, or maybe recognize a pattern that you can change.
4. Pray: spend time in prayer or meditation every day. I like to start with the Lord’s Prayer. It is worth it even if you just have a few minutes.
5. Listen. Listen to your intuition. Listen for answers to prayer. Listen to others. Quiet your spirit so you are aware of the messages around you.
6. Read. Read scripture. Read inspirational writing. Read ancient wisdom.
7. Create awareness of your thoughts: refuse to allow negative thoughts to fester and grow. It is a choice you have. You do not need to be a victim of your thoughts. Instead use thoughts as your ally.
8. Say affirmations: affirmations really do work. I like to write mine down and keep them in my wallet. If I have some waiting time in my car, I read through them and say them aloud. One of my favorites is: “I am so thankful now that all is good.”
9. Forgive: first, you need to forgive yourself. I know that people tend to hang on to mistakes and play them over and over again like a bad movie. So forgive yourself. Forgive others and ask God to forgive you. Revel in the feeling of freedom.
10. Love: love everyone. When you are loving, you embrace joy. Don’t wait for someone to be loving to you. Be loving and caring towards others. I am not talking about passionate love, which I admit is great; I am talking about gentle, unconditional love.
If you follow even one or two of these steps, you are on a path of creating joy and happiness in your life. You are responsible for the level of joy and happiness in your life. So my question to you is, when are you going to start working from within and cultivate joy?
Sheri Kaye Hoff
Life Coach
Author, Keys to Living Joyfully
www.lifeisjoyful.org
