How To Put Joy In Your Journey
by Renee Cobb

PART-2
RELATIONAL

This is the second part of our spiritual sphere.  We
are created to be interdependent with each other.  
I believe that we were put on earth at this particular time and place in history to do all those things that only we individually have been gifted to do.  The most important part of that journey, beyond our relationship with God is being in relationship with those people whose lives intersect ours. 

1. DO SOMETHING FOR OTHERS: Happiness Research says that we feel the most happiness and euphoria just after we have done something good for someone else.  (It actually changes the brain chemicals.)
   
   Give what you have, even if it is only a smile that you have to sacrifice to give.  You may never know in this life just the impact it had.
   
   
2. FIND AND NURTURE A GREAT SUPPORT SYSTEM:  Identify those people
   who really care for you (and you for them) to be your Dream Team!  These people
   will lovingly and diplomatically keep you accountable, give you encouragement and provide that intimate group with whom you can celebrate your victories.
   
   Research has shown that friendship and a support system lowers blood pressure,
   boosts immunity and promotes healing.  (This may be why women have lower rates
   of heart disease and longer life expectancy than men.)  Women are usually better
   at these relationships and connection with others is often how they deal with their stress.   

EMOTIONAL

1. KNOW, UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE HOW AMAZING YOU ARE!!! 
   If you don’t believe this, read Psalm 139: 13-18.  As stated earlier, you have been
   sent here ON PURPOSE!  You ARE a woman of value and influence!  This is the best SELF-ESTEEM there is!  You don’t have to be anybody but you.
   
   God wants you to feel special.  Remember, you are the only you there is or EVER will be.  SO BE THE BEST YOU THAT YOU CAN BE. IT’S WHAT YOU WERE DESTINED FOR! That fact alone should give you immeasurable joy.
   
   
2. PLAN SOME JOY IN YOUR LIFE!!!! Seek out things that bring you joy. Make a list
   of your favorite things and do some of them each day! You might even plan a time when you will enjoy them so you can look forward to them during the day. For example, I have a particular brand of orange cappuccino that I look forward to every morning during my quiet time.  And now that researchers have proven that dark chocolate is good for us (Most of us already had our suspicions this was true), I have a piece of my favorite dark chocolate with raspberry filling at some point during the day when I need a lift.

FINANCIAL

This one factor out of balance in your life will not only steal your joy, but it will also bring intense stress, and negatively influence all other life areas dramatically.

1. LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS:  This may not seem joyful, but in the long run, it will keep you from drifting into despair, especially if there is significant credit card debt.
   
   
2. IF YOU ARE IN DEBT, FIND A “FREE” DEBT COUNSELOR:  (Many times business managers of churches can tell you where to find them.)  Also WOVEN’s Women’s Resource Center has a resource list on its website. www.wovenonline.org  Then get on a budget and stay there.  When you get to the point that you have more money than your budget requires, instead of spending more, find a reliable investment counselor.  Again WOVEN has a list of these available services.
   
   

CAREER/TIME

1. PRAYERFULLY SEEK YOUR PASSION, YOUR PURPOSE AND DOING WHAT YOU LOVE!  (With few exceptions, your purpose, mission and destiny will include doing what you love!)
   
   Ask why are you here.  Dream with abandon!  List all the things you would
   do if money were no object and if you knew you wouldn’t fail.  Getting in touch with your dreams can be the first step in discovering your destiny.
   
   
2. PRIORITIZE WHAT’S IMPORTANT... REALLY!
   We are only given so much time and most of us don’t know how much that is so, PRIORITIZE
   
   Ask “Is this the best use of my time right now.  Will it matter 100 years from now?"
   (May want to list the things you do on a consistent basis (Habits) that you need to replace with better activities.)
   
   Research on Successful People says that they are continually asking if what they
   are doing at any given moment is taking them toward their goals or away from them.
   Goals are not just in making money but in all 7 life areas.  Most of us are doing OK
   is some of them but need to set goals in others so there is balance.  JOY comes
   more easily when there is accomplishment and balance.
   

MENTAL
AS IN ALL THINGS, JOY IS A CHOICE!!!

The following is a kind of summary that can serve as a foundation for joy and should encourage us to make the right choices recommended here in our seven life areas.

Portions of Philippians 4:1-8 says, “Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say again, rejoice!  Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do.  Remember the Lord is coming soon.  Don’t worry about anything.  Instead, pray about everything.  Tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.  If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will keep your thought and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”   And now…fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right.  Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others.  Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.”

KEEP A HEALTHY, POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE

• BE PHILOSHOPICAL.  LIFE HAPPENS!  TO EVERYONE!!! Remember the best tasting vegetables and the most beautiful flowers have to endure a lot of manure to get there.
  
  
• SOMETIMES PUTTING JOY IN YOUR LIFE MEANS TAKING SOMETHING OUT!   (That may include some people who are a negative influence.)
  
  
• START EACH MORNING FILLING YOUR MIND WITH GRATITUDE, HOPE AND POSSIBILITIES.  This new day IS a new beginning.  Use it to its fullest!.  So start your day, before even getting out of bed by counting your blessings!
  
  
• ALL DURING THE DAY, THINK AND SPEAK POSITIVELY!  BECOME AWARE OF YOUR COMMUNICATION.  DON’T BE a whiner, complainer nor blamer.
  
  
• END EACH DAY, FILLING YOUR MIND WITH POSITIVES.  KEEP A HAPPY ENDINGS BOOK  Night time is POWERFUL time for your brain to influence your life in the process.
  
  
• WHEN BEING AWARE OF THINKING NEGATIVELY, REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING POSITIVE.   What do you have to be thankful for that is better than what you’re thinking?   If you’re thinking,   “Life is hard or I look so old”----”Well, it’s better than the alternative.”  Life is too short to be angry, bored or dull.
  
  
• WATCH WHAT YOU WATCH.   ONCE IT GOES IN, IT NEVER COMES OUT!
  
  
• LAUGH A LOT  - LIFE HAPPENS!!!!!!!!    
             

ENJOY THE JOURNEY
It is your choice!