“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23, ISV)
Joy.
Attitude shapes one’s attitude. At the heart of joy is gratitude (grateful attitude). Joy is cultivated by a grateful attitude. It is a choice. It begins with the first thoughts of the day.
Life can really stink. There is a certainty that there will inevitably be times of difficulty. It is hard to be joyful in such times. Hard, but not impossible.
I have found my only path to joy to be through gratitude. Every morning, I consider the “opportunities” that confront me—usually things that I might otherwise consider burdens, challenges, obstacles, annoyances, etc. Taking such an approach puts me in a mindset of being where I am “for a time such as this”. It sets me off on a more positive trajectory. It makes way for joy.
Unfortunately, I often forget that I am joyful. I need to remind myself often.
Joy comes by choice. It comes from frequent pause for reflection. It comes from surrounding one’s self with people and an environment that promote our joyfulness. Joy is cultivated by persistent joyfulness.
Live. Laugh. Love. The open the flood gates for joy. Avoid worry and discord. Choose to be joyful.
Carpe momento! Be joyful!