Have you lost your joy and happiness in this season? Maybe you set aside the things that you enjoy to stay safe. Or, perhaps you are waiting for this unexpected mess to pass. Yet, as the days go by, you slip further and further from the life you used to appreciate. Quite honestly, it happens to all of us from time to time.
When the pandemic first started, I retreated to my home. Strange, but I found it a nice reprieve from the busyness of life. I quit traveling, seeing friends, getting outside, and became a bit of a recluse. Does this sound familiar?
However, as time went on, I realized this way of life began robbing me of what brings me happiness. Somehow I had fallen into an old trap of waiting for things to get better instead of making the best of what I had and living life in the present.
It Is Never Too Late
The good news is—it’s never too late to pivot and live right now with joy and happiness. However, a change may be required on our part. We might need to get creative in how we connect and the activities we do.
Although we often use the words joy and happiness interchangeably, they have a different meaning to me. Here is my take on the definitions. You can read more if you click here.
It's never too late to pivot and live right now with joy and happiness. #joy #happiness #present Share on XJoy and Happiness
Joy is dependent on our relationship with Christ, not on our circumstances. It is incredible and makes no human sense. Our hearts can be full of delight even though our world appears to be crumbling all around us.
Happiness entirely depends on what is happening around us or to us. When things are going well, we are happy, but the minute they take a turn for the worse, our happiness can go away.
However, joy never has to leave us.
Finding Joy and Happiness
I would love to know how you find joy, laughter, and happiness in this season. Your ideas might help me add a little more to my day.
I find that a walk with God fills my heart and mind with joy. When I can’t get together with friends or family, Facetime or Zoom is the next best way, and it doesn’t matter how I look; they love me anyway. I also discovered a few extra layers of clothing, and a nighttime walk, while the snow is falling is exhilarating and brings out that childlike wonder and happiness.
It doesn't matter what circumstances we find ourselves in; we can find joy and happiness. #joy #happiness Share on XFeatured Post
Our featured post today is from Theresa Boedeker. She shares about what might be keeping us from joy. Her words resonated with me and encouraged me to take inventory of the many ways I delay living in the present. Like when I hold on to that unique candle for the perfect time to use it. Heck, burn it now and enjoy it. Now to figure out how to add a little more laughter to my day!
Now for our Featured Post
Don’t Let Fear Keep You from Living
By Theresa Boedeker
Click here to read.
Please share how you have been creative in adding a little more joy and happiness to your everyday life.
I need to read posts like yours and Theresa’s all the time at this point to help me stay focused on true joy instead of simply happiness. It’s definitely been a different season the past 12 months and it requires a different measure of intention in our faith walk.
Lisa,
Your words were spot on, “It’s definitely been a different season the past 12 months, and it requires a different measure of intention in our faith walk.” I, too, need to be reminded of the joy at hand and turn my focus towards it.
Maree
It is good advice to try and get back to what brings you happiness and joy. If you have any. I just don’t think that happiness and joy are a choice. If it was that simple wouldn’t everyone be happy and joy filled. I believe that both happiness and joy are a result of circumstances in your life. You are happy when things are going good in your life, but sad, disappointed, and miserable when things are going bad. Joy is a result because you experience joy when you have things that you like to, or want to, do. I get joy from helping others. That is pretty much out of the question now with lock down restrictions in place. Even without the restrictions you can’t help when you can’t afford to. Wish I could list things that cause joy to just jump out at you, but my life doesn’t have things like that. God and Jesus don’t bring me any happiness or joy while not being involved with my life. Absence and silence, denies such things. Have a great day and may God bless you, in Jesus name, Amen
Ken,
I think we differ in our thinking, and that is okay. I do believe joy is a choice. However, all the joy in the world won’t wipe away our sadness nor our difficult circumstances. I do believe both can exist at the same time if we choose to see the joy. It is hard, and it takes lots of practice. To me, happiness is more tied to our circumstances and can come and go.
I try to list at least 3 things first thing in the morning I am grateful for and tell God. It helps me to see what I have instead of what I lack. Some days are harder than others. We have had a hard week around here. So sometimes it is as simple as this cute little puppy I see out the window. He runs as fast as he can to the door to get out of the snow and then turns and runs to his master. He prances about bouncing up and down. Every time I see him, it brings a smile to my face, and I thank God I got a chance to be distracted from my circumstances and smile. But I had to choose to look out the window and stop what I was doing to take in the joy. We can start small with gratitude, and it will help us find joy.
I, too, get joy from helping others. I wonder if there is someone you could help from a distance. Maybe you could write letters to someone in the military, a retirement center, or jail. You are good at keeping in touch. I am thankful you take the time to read my posts.
Blessings,
Maree
Maree, it is easy to withdraw from life and just wait for things to change. Call me a little crazy, but last year when things shut down, after I got over the fear of it all, I decided to get back to work on the projects I’d been working on. I found moving forward with them was very good for my heart. I also find great joy in morning walks with my camera. There’s something about capturing beauty in an image that brings quiet joy and fulfillment.
Jeanne, I am right there with you; I love taking pictures. I’m just tan mature, but it’s fun. It used to drive my husband bonkers until I explained it was something that brings me joy. Now he patiently waits on me as I snap the beauty. Thank you for sharing what brings you joy. Maree
This encouraged my heart today, Maree. Thank you.
Lauren, I am so glad it blessed you. Praying you have an amazing week. Maree
A delightful post Maree! I find walking by the waterfront, spending time with my grandchildren & driving down a country Lane brings great delight & happiness as I shared in this week’s post.
And you’re right Joy is always there when we are walking with the Lord, happiness is a choice! 😀
Bless you,
Jennifer
I am so glad you listed what brings your joy and happiness. I think a drive might be in store for me this week. Blessings, Maree
I have been reading more and listening to books on tape. Watching all the birds at our bird feeders, Long conversations with friends. Even a book study with several people on the phone. Learning new things. Long walks. Writing projects. And spending time with God and resting.
Thank you for sharing how you have been creative in adding a little more joy and happiness to your everyday life. I, too, have been listening to books and loving them. Maree
A good reminder, Maree. God is with us everywhere we are, so we can carry His joy with us all the time.
Barbara,
Praying your week is full of joy.
Maree