Thoughts on happiness…..
Remember it’s not all about you. Our life’s purpose is to give God glory. Do this with your talents, your position, and where you are right now.
Start today. Don’t wait or get distracted. I struggle with this.
Pray.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing
“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” Oswald Chambers.
Trust God.
The happiest place to be is smack dab in the center of God’s will.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16 New Living Translation (NLT)
Discover your passions; your gift.
Create habits in your day that help achieve your ambitions. It is the little things that make a difference.
- A 20 minute walk you do is better than a 5 mile run you don’t do.
- Reading the Bible for 15 minutes is better than the hour of devotions you can’t fit in.
- Cleaning one area is better than letting it go.
- Writing for 30 minutes is better than not writing at all.
Even if it is imperfectly done.
Make mistakes. Celebrate failure. It means you tried something.
Learn new things. New hard things.
Keep your focus on Him when trials come; not the trials. I am purposing myself to do this. Sometimes I have to purpose myself daily.
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Decide to be happy. Really. Make the decision.
Even when you don’t feel like it. Fake it. Try smiling now. It changes your countenance.
Be grateful.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
Jesus gave thanks before miracles.
“Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14: 18-21
Think outside yourself.
Joy comes in helping others.
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38
Love doing what you do….with all your heart and soul. Whatever it is; a bus driver, a janitor, a teacher, a writer, or a mom.
Be Kind. Everyone has their own story.
Pay attention to what hurts.
Lean in to those people who hurt you. Pray for them.
Pay attention to now. Right where you are; in the line at the grocery store, talking to someone who is delaying you, waiting in traffic, or just paying attention and looking your child in the eyes on their level when they speak. Notice the smell of the day or the colors of the season as you leave your home.
Slow.
Lean in.
Now. In this moment.
Be a collector of laughs.
Look for happiness in the unexpected.
Remember always to love with your whole heart. It isn’t enough to say it. Prove it. Make the decision.
Above all, share the good news of your joy with everyone you meet.
Two books worth reading:
The Happiness Project at Home and The Joy Diet.
What are your thoughts on happiness?
Hi Christina,
Great thoughts and images… Thank you! Those books sound really interesting…just put one on hold at my library. It was great to meet you and get to know you a bit at the Write2Ignite conference!! Best wishes with your writing and hope to stay in touch or see you again! 🙂
Blessings!
Kathy
Loved getting a new friend in you this weekend. You made it even better. Your artwork is truly beautiful and I can’t wait to hear and see what you do with it. Blessing, friend!