Why Can’t Everyday Be Like Christmas?
“Joy to the World” is a sentiment that is repeated often during the Christmas season.
How many of us have wondered why the much sought after spirit of Christmas can’t exist all year long?
Well, of course it can, but only if we focus on it daily, as we do during the Christmas season. Joy is a special form of happiness and essential to healthy living. What brings a smile to your face? What brings a warm, relaxed glow when you think about it? These are the things that bring you joy. I experience a tender wave of joy as my granddaughter falls asleep in my arms. I feel a breathtaking joy as I watch the sun rise on a bright new day. I particularly like the cozy, warm joy I feel when relaxing with my husband or friends.
I invite you to make a list of the things that bring you joy. Try to write down twenty situations when you feel happy. It could be such things as seeing the delightful faces or charming antics of the children in your life, strolling along a favourite beach, spending quiet time relaxing with your spouse or friends, gardening, being involved in music or sports, getting a good night’s sleep, enjoying a nice meal or holiday, setting and achieving a cherished goal. Don’t forget to add such things as volunteer work or doing a friend a favour. Remember that the true joy of Christmas is found in giving.
Usually, when we spread joy, we also experience it ourselves.
Life’s stressors can knock joy entirely out of your life. Don’t let that happen. In your life you will be healthier and tackle your problems more effectively.
Can’t sleep because your mind won’t stop buzzing? Think about what makes you joyful, try to relax and even if you continue to lie awake, at least you’ll feel more content. Too many burdens to carry? Take a time-out to relax and recharge your batteries by thinking about something on your joy list. Stuck in traffic? Anticipating your golf game can bring a smile of pleasure to your face.
Where you find your joy can be used as a ‘marker’ indicating where you find importance in your life.
How much time do you spend in the area that brings happiness to your life? If you want more joy, you can prioritize so that you can spend more time, energy and resources in that area.
Thinking about joyful things won’t solve your problems but despite the problems, you can experience and spread joy everyday. You will be healthier and tackle your problems more effectively. If you would like to read more about bringing joy into your life, I suggest you read “Surprised by Joy” by C. S. Lewis.
