Joy is Your Natural State

It is very true that people are always looking for more joy in their lives. Millions of dollars are made on books and programs that show people how they can be happier and more joyful. In fact, we have our greatest desires not so we can feel more accomplished or successful. We have our greatest desires because we believe they will bring us greater joy and a more rewarding life experience.

The problem with this is that we are searching in all of the wrong places for our joy. I’m not saying it’s wrong to read books or do things that we believe will make us happier. Nor am I saying we shouldn’t have the dreams and desires that we do. What I am saying is that we don’t have to go looking on the outside for the joy we are so desperately craving. Instead, we need to realize that joy is at the essence of our being. It is one of the fruits of the spirit that we are all part of. Joy is not something we need to go out and find. If we can spend enough time to meditate on who we really are, and realize that love, joy, peace and the other fruits of the spirit are our true, intended states of being, then we won’t have to seek joy. It will automatically manifest because, again, joy is our natural state. Sadness, anger, and negative emotions are NOT natural. They are only emotional states that we bring upon ourselves.

I understand that things happen in our lives that make it difficult to experience joy. People or experiences hurt us, or we lose people in our lives because of disagreement, break-up, or death. I’m not at all saying that we shouldn’t feel sad in those circumstances or angry at an injustice. At the same time, I am saying that we shouldn’t let any circumstance determine the level of joy we experience in our lives.

The question that may be asked now is, “how do I allow this joy that is my natural state to manifest in my world?” There are several ways you can do this. These work for me, so I share them with you. First, as I mentioned earlier, take breaks throughout the day in meditation, reflection, prayer, or whatever you want to call it. Reflect upon the fact that the spirit of God lives in you. It is part of your essence. Remember again that joy is one of the fruits of that spirit. The Bible also says that when you seek that spirit first, above all else, you receive all else (all else shall be added onto you)! That includes joy.

Another helpful hint is to actually do things that make you feel joyful. Whenever you can find time during the day, do something that makes you happy. Listen to your favorite music. Take a nature walk. Play a game. Talk to a friend. Anything you can do that will increase your level of joy.

It is also said that emotions follow the action. That’s why I always recommend smiling as much as possible. When you carry a smile on your face, it automatically brings more joy. This never fails!! Even when I’ve been in the worst of moods, and I’m forcing the fake smile on my face, it always gets me out of the funk, and the smile becomes real, and the level of joy increases. Sticking with this theme, it’s also true that the more you focus on joy, the more reasons in life you will be given to be joyful.

Once again I will say it. Joy is your natural state. You don’t have to seek it anywhere else but inside of you. Make it a point to focus on the joy that is a part of you, and you will experience it.

It was certainly a joy to write this. I hope it is equally joyful for you to read it. Have an excellent day 🙂