Love Comes First: Finding the Joy

Today is my second installment of my Love Come’s First series. I’m exploring love in many different ways with this series and am open to guest posts for it as well. Today I’m exploring a way to keep the joy in your day to day life no matter what your circumstances each day.

Do you find yourself bogged down in the day to day of life? Perhaps you suffer with a chronic illness or you care for someone who does. If you are doing a complicated dietary intervention you may find that the weight of it is heavy on your shoulders day by day. It may seem like you need to choose between being happy and being well/healing. I have been there. I still end up there far more often than I would like.

I want to encourage you to make a list right now of things that bring you joy. Everything, big or little that brings you joy. Put it up on your fridge with a pen handy to add to it. If you are in a bad spot the only thing that may seem like it will bring you joy is a fancy resort on a tropical island. That’s ok just write that down and plan to add to it later.

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Ok is your list started? Leave room at the bottom for adding new things as they come to you. You want a good list of the things that bring you joy. No one else can make this list since no one else will find joy in all the places you do.

This morning I was inspired to listen to a favorite musician from my college days. I was instantly transported back to an easier and less complicated time in my life. I realized that it set a tone for my morning of joy and lightness. When my daughter got up and immediately started complaining I was ready for her because I was in a good spot already. Music does that for me and probably should be a part of my morning routine most of the time. Listening to music is a quick and easy way for me to get in touch with myself and my joy.

I know I’m not the same as anyone else. Your joy may come in very different ways.

Here are some ideas:

You may be renewed by silence.

Or by prayer.

Or going for a run.

Or by drinking some morning coffee out in nature.

Or hugging your children and snuggling together.

Or by seeing something silly or nostalgic among your possessions.

Once you have your list you can use it on a bad day. Let it remind you of the ways that you can find your joy again. Because joy, like love, is a choice as much as an emotion. It may feel like your joy is out of reach but we can be content in all circumstances. (Philippians 4:11). This list is a tool for you to use as a reminder of the joy that is lurking around every corner.

So what sorts of things do you do to bring more joy into your life day by day? I would love for you to share it in the comments to inspire the rest of us with more ways to find joy each day.