Are you missing the joy in your life?
Sometimes it's the simplest things in our lives that we are missing. Like Eleanor discovering how to twirl so her dress swirls out. Oh the joy in this happy moment for her.
And when I see her twirl and laugh I wonder to myself – Where am I missing moments? Where am I so mired in the weeds that I don't even lift my head up and see the rainbow? What if I was so busy on my phone that I didn't see this special moment for Eleanor?
I went to a Memorial Service on Saturday.
It was the most moving even that I have every witnessed. And I left with the intense feeling of needing to step up my game. I needed to put myself out there more and invest in the lives of others – rather than live in my little corner all the time.
You see – Lori was diagnosed with breast cancer 20 years ago and beat it. During that traumatic time she never thought about herself. She invested in the lives of so many – each and every day. She lived a life of pure joy. She looked up and not down.
And then 7 years ago her cancer came back with a vengeance and she was given 6 months to live.
She could have looked down. She could have focused on her potentially short life. She could have cried out to God and asked ‘Why me Lord?’ And she would have been totally justified in doing all those things don't you think?
But instead she remembered her creator.
She looked up. She prayed for more time. She prayed for healing. She prayed for her life. And God said yes. He said yes to more time. He said yes to feeling better. He did not say yes to healing…she lived with that dang cancer for 7 years. And during those traumatic 7 years she never thought about herself. She invested in the lives of so many – each and every day. Nothing changed for Lori. She still lived a life of pure joy.
Her joy did not come from her circumstances. Her joy came from the Lord. And she knew that joy did not come from her physical well being or the things around her…it came from knowing she was a new creation in Christ. She knew that her future was secure – no matter how long, on in this case, how short her life turned out to be.
Her life was insignificant compared to the lives of those around her. Her family. Her friends. And she treated everyone one she met like a friend. I felt like her friend – even though I had only met her a few times.
Now, you may or may not know, but I have been blogging about joy for almost 5 years. I have been encouraging women to choose joy….regardless of their circumstances. I have been asking, imploring, reminding you to not let life kick you in the butt. But to be the wonderful person that I know you are…all the time.
So, let me ask you – are you missing the joy? Are you letting life pass you by? Are you letting your circumstances kick you in the butt? Are you so busy scrolling that you are missing real life? In my humble opinion, those are the moments worth scrolling. Those photos and memories that remind me that there is so much more to live for than the newest toddler hack, or what color to pain my hallway.
If you struggle to find your joy…
I have a few things for you.
#1 – Grab the Joyful Living Quickstart Guide. It's free and will get you started.
#2 – Grab the Joyful Living Toolbox – So many practical things available to help you figure out where you are missing your joy.
#3 – Grab the Art of Joyful Living – a full on mini course that will definitely get you back on your feet.
Whatever you choose – find the joy. Look up. Live a life of freedom. Remember that the glass is always half full.
What is Joyful Living all about?
Joyful Living is ALL about not letting let the circumstances of YOUR life determine who you really are. You learn to choose YOU instead! Not sure how to do that? Let me help!
To begin, go ahead and read:
3 Financial Mistakes Most Women Make
Looking at Life Through the Lens of God
5 Ways to Get Ahead Financially
must reads
Marriage Killing Money Issues
check 'em out
