**This post has been entered in Finer Things Friday at Amy’s Finer Things!**
What does it mean to “live for joy?”
Living for joy means looking for happiness in every moment, every activity. Focusing on the positive instead of the negative. Trying to be happy instead of being sad.
It’s easy, in today’s world, NOT to live for joy. There are so many things that can go wrong. People tend to commiserate more than celebrate (it’s unfortunately seen as bragging and rude if you meet a stranger and tell them what a wonderful day you’re having; but it’s quite normal to say you’re having a terrible day). When everything’s happening, it’s easy to focus on what didn’t go right, what’s preventing you from doing what you want. I know I struggle with it. But living for joy is so much better.
When your toddler opens a bottle of lotion and pours it on the carpet and smears it around (yes, this happened at our house recently), instead of focusing on your ruined carpet and the mess you’ll have to clean up, focus on how creative your toddler is! When your child decorates your table with permanent markers (yes, that happened too, awhile back), use it as a teachable moment. When your child sneaks around and brings you a hastily-prepared snack with no supervision, be excited about her resourcefulness instead of thinking about the mess she might have made.
Choose to see your child’s antics as the ways she’s growing up and exploring her world instead of the challenges she presents to you.
When your husband comes home late for work, think about how he might have been stuck in traffic, doing something sweet for you, working hard to provide for your family; instead of how he may have messed up your dinner plans.
If your friend cancels at the last minute on your plans, think about how she might be trying to put her family first, or doing something to help someone else. This does go along with grace — if you offer someone grace, you’ll feel joyful instead of angry.
We have a choice everyday when we wake up to be happy and live for joy, or to be unhappy and frustrated. If we’re unhappy, it will make others around us unhappy, most of all our families. Our children will be happy if we are happy. Everything around us is better when we are happy!
When I play with Daniel and smile at Bekah and sing, Daniel smiles and Bekah randomly runs up to me and gives me kisses. They’re HAPPY. When I’m unhappy, they cry and whine and fuss.
So when you wake up each day, think about living for joy. Choose to see the good in every moment instead of the frustration. It will make your whole life happier!
nice post Kate, good reminders..i’ve noticed the same thing for sure! when i am happy and singing my 2 girls sure are happier too!!:) interesting how that works, but should be no surprise to me as i specifically remember instances where my own mothers attitude signiificantly affected mine….now if only i could REMEMBER this:)
This is something that I have been working on since January, when I "ditched" the idea of New Years resolutions for a key word to focus on for the year instead. I chose my word to be joy. I got this idea from the blog Steady Mom. Its really been affecting my life. Its amazing how it keeps popping up!
Something I do when I feel like I can’t go on…I find this especially hard when I have problems with my hands (health issue that makes them hurt) and I can’t do what I want to do as easily, and when my kids are just being kids…but you know, they get in the way….and then I resent them, instead of focusing on how they are a blessing to have around even if they make messes and "get in the way"….well I sing. I sing praise songs- choruses or hymns. I can get back to work easier this way, and it keeps my focus off me…and now my daughter also sings along and I hear her singing too, even when I am not. I hope it teaches her to also focus on God when she is having a rough time.
Great reminders. You’re right, it’s hard not to be positive without someone thinking it’s "bragging." Sad!