There’s a song I used to sing as a child that I absolutely loved called “Down in my Heart.” The lyrics are simple and go:
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart – Where?!
Down in my heart
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart to stay!
That joy, joy, joy, joy down in your heart exists…and it’s time for it to reawakened. Too many of us lose our joy – and childlike wonder – as adults, and as a result, we sabotage our own happiness and potential.
Joy is a powerhouse; it is a force – a fruit of the spirit – capable of transforming our lives. Seven years ago when the concept of joy really sunk its teeth into my life, I decided I had to be intentional about choosing joy every day. I remind myself of this intentionality with a tattoo. My only tattoo, the French phrase joie de vivre (which translates to “joy of living”) serves as a constant reminder that I have decided to choose joy everyday. If you want to learn how to choose joy everyday, or simply want more joy in your life, make sure you aren’t doing any of the 7 joy-killers from the” Joy Blacklist” (see below):
THE JOY BLACKLIST:
- Perfectionism
- Underestimating Your Worth
- Striving for External Measures of Success
- Try to Do it All
- Agonizing over Past Mistakes
- Focusing on Shoulds and Shouldn’ts
- Comparing Yourself
Additionally, in this week’s podcast show I covered 10 ways to invest in your joy and 12 small ways you can put big amounts of joy into the lives of others. See the lists below or listen to the full dish on the lists by listening to the full episode: http://www.trishblackwell.com/10-ways-increase-joy/
10 WAYS TO INVEST IN YOUR JOY:
- Gratitude journal
- Bring joy to others
- Decide that happiness is part of your character
- Set goals, work towards them
- Let go
- Live our your values
- Change “I have to” to “I get to”
- Let go of feeling busy
- Celebrate the good you see in others
- Reframe your fate positively / expect the best
12 WAYS TO SPREAD THE LOVE:
- Compliment freely – every time you think of something positive about someone, share it out loud!
- Thank your parents for loving you unconditionally
- Be a mentor (and think about 360 degree leadership)
- Appreciate loosely (show appreciation to the little people)
- Choose happiness and set the example
- Sprinkle kindness wherever you go
- Refuse to participate in gossip
- Never partake in negativity
- Believe in yourself
- Encourage and believe in others
- Celebrate other’s successes and joys
- Send snail mail
As you celebrate your Friday afternoon today, I urge you to reflect upon the following two questions:
1. Have I found joy in my daily life?
2. How has my life brought joy to others?
Let your heart sing today. Find joy in the small details of your day and light up that joy, joy, joy, joy that is down in your heart!
Joyfully yours,
Trish
PS: Take a step towards joy in your life by jumping off of the hamster wheel of comparison and perfectionism. Get cleansed from the toxins keeping you from joyful living with the Insecurity Detox. For just $5 /day over 7 days you can rid yourself of any of the gunk from the “Joy Blacklist” that is preventing you from being the person you want to be. Sign up and take an intentional step towards your joy at www.trishblackwell.com/insecurity-detox
PPS: I would love to hang out with you – yes, in person! I am speaking at the Well! 2014 Health & Fitness Influencers Conference taking place this October 26th-28th at Harbourtowne Golf and Conference Center in St. Michaels, Maryland. Here’s a link to the conference to check it out for yourself: http://eventsbywell.com, and, get a discount because you know me by using this code: TrishB …. let me know you’re coming and we’ll have a community meet-and-greet / hangout!