There’s something about New Years that really does it for me. The possibility of new beginnings and the hope of growth; maybe even the audacity to reach for something previously beyond me. I really like the “sky’s the limit” feeling that comes with this time of year. Of course just knowing that the days are getting longer rather than shorter is also a factor for me!
So while Ed is going to be blogging you through some assignments to help you take positive steps in 2009, I’m going to be sending out a blog 3x a week on joy. Nehemiah tells us, “the joy of the Lord will make you strong.” (Neh 8:10 NCV) and I could use that strength to take a fresh look at my life after all the activity of the holidays!
When I was a sophmore at Dimond High School in South Anchorage, the boy who had the locker next to mine thought my name was Joy. It wasn’t because I was one of those happy happy people. It was because I had several “Joy” stickers up in my locker – along with the hearts and butterflies. I may have been a bit too flowery in those days, but he had papered his locker with photos of marajuana so he may have been a bit dazed.
So what’s your position on joy? Are you a big fan because of the energy it can bring or do you secretly think that joy is for little girls and puppies? Do you think God wants you to enjoy 2009? It matters because your beliefs about joy impact your ability to create more joy in your life.
I’d like to encourage all of us to bring more joy into 2009. It will add value to our lives and to the lives of those around us. Joy brings a breath of fresh air to all of our roles. That’s why I’ve decided not only to give myself permission to add more joy to my life this year, but to make it one of my goals. How about you?
Going Deeper – If you’d like to spend some time exploring your own beliefs about joy try spending five minuets finishing the following sentence stems over and over as fast as you can:
Happy people…
In order to be happy I’d have to…
If I were happier…
(I’ve replaced the word joy with happiness because it tends to bring forth more width of response for people – joy just sounds so religious!) If you just write whatever pops in your mind you might unearth some really odd sentences like, “Happy people are stupid.” or “In order to be happy I’d have to eliminate all negative thoughts.” These kinds of beliefs make it difficult to take happiness seriously (if happiness is just for wimps, Pollyanas and idiots) or sets us up with unrealistic expectations. If you can’t be happy unless you avoid all negative thoughts then you won’t achieve happiness this side of death. Breathing humans have thoughts continually, both negative and positive. So what are your beliefs about joy and happiness?
“Pollyanna” has two l’s
This is good Judy…I spent the time finishing the sentence stems and have decided to be intentional about looking for more joy/happiness in my life in 2009
Happy people can focus on happy things and happy thoughts and enjoy spending time with their family and God. Their happy attitude is contagious through out their family. They turn their worries over to God…and then don’t worry about them.
In order to be happy I’d have to get rid of some stuff and focus only on family related commitments. Why is it so hard for me to get rid of clutter when I know that I (and my family) will be happier if I do? Can I turn my clutter and outside commitments over to God? I like our stuff and the outside commitments, but I love my family.
If I were happier I’d be able to focus on family and God without having my focus be taken over by the nagging thoughts of the 100 other things I need to do.