INHALE GRATITUDE, EXHALE JOY
A few years ago, my minister spoke about JOY. He cautioned us to watch for “joy stealers”, people around us who try to take away our joyful attitude. The associated scripture is “Be joyful always” found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16.
This message spoke to my heart and I launched a process of bringing JOY into my life and everyone close to me. Our joy is backed up by gratitude. You see, being grateful for everything, large and small, gives you an appreciation for all that you are blessed to have.
Today, my home is filled with JOY sayings of all kinds.
They hang from every possible nook and sit on every shelf. There is the constant reminder to be joyful always.
At some point, it was told to me that PEACE is JOY at rest.
Yes, I do believe that is true. Joyful is a happy, upbeat feeling. Yet when I feel happy but quiet, it is a peaceful feeling; a refreshing energy to calm and soothe you. Your peacefulness has a ripple effect which will also calm others around you. PEACE sayings have since been added to my repertoire and my home now exudes JOY and PEACE at every step.
JOY comes to us by living in happiness, grace and gratitude.
Upon waking in the morning, let your first thoughts be those of gratitude. Say “thank you” to your God, the Universe, angels, whomever you trust. Throughout the day, get in the habit of saying “thank you” out loud or silently to yourself. You will be amazed at the difference it will make in your day. And, at night, before you close your eyes, be sure to say thank you one last time. You can add a few specific things that you are grateful for that day.
The more grateful you are and the more you express your gratitude, the more blessings will come into your life.
Gratitude, peace and joy are amazing things that multiply when you share them with others. Show your appreciation to family and friends that you encounter and count your blessings.
Even on the darkest days, there is always a reason to be thankful. This attitude of gratitude will bring peace to you. And, where there is gratitude and peace, there surely is JOY!
Today, my challenge to you is to CHOOSE GRATITUDE, PEACE AND JOY! And keep choosing them every single day. Take a moment and breathe deeply. As you inhale, think of the things you are grateful for; as you exhale, feel the joy that comes over you.
What are you grateful for today? Where can you find JOY today?
Photo by David Orsborne
Louise Pistole is a retiring accountant who has recently found her joy in a coastal home with her high school sweetheart. After writing business articles for 30 years, she is now writing creative non-fiction articles. You can follow Louise at Facebook.com/JOYatTheCoast and Pinterest.com/JOYatTheCoast.
You can follow M Louise Pistole at www.facebook.com/JOYatTheCoast or
on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/JOYatTheCoast.
This is such a beautiful post- so true as well, gratitude is so important in life, it changes your perspective!
My recent post: https://lifeofellabella.blogspot.com/2018/12/podcasts-i-have-been-loving.html