Finding Joy

So, once again I'm getting over being sick. Three weeks I could barely talk so far. I had a three day break and came down with the Flu. Then the rest of my family came down with the flu.

Anyway, this time instead of letting it bring me down and getting depressed I managed to stay optimistic. Knowing that God was with me, knowing that I was going to get over it soon, and knowing that my life still has value and I'm still worthwhile even when I'm sick and can't do anything.

I feel like I've had a definite shift in perception. My sister and I were discussing how the way you look at things makes all the difference in how you feel about them. So, like when you are driving and some idiot pulls in front of you and goes way too slow, you can either have the strong desire to kill this person, or you can decide that it's okay to drive slow, and just relax. You can control how you think and feel about any situation. Whether it's really very nice, or completely sucks depends entirely on how you choose to look at it.

So, instead of feeling like I am a worthless nothing. I looked at the many wonderful blessings and goodness of my life. I looked at the fact that my family loves me and needs me. I'm so important to them. Even my dog needs me and loves me. Heck, I'm really loved.

So, about Joy. Joy is not something that another person can give us. It's something that we need to find within ourselves. It's how we choose to perceive the challenges and adventures life sends our way. Everyone has different things that bring them happiness. We are all so very different in this world. There are things that others do that make them feel good and I wouldn't want to have anything to do with it! However, there are things that I really like that make me feel alive and exhilarated that perhaps people might find boring or tedious. The thing is, that life is what we make it. We can focus on doing those things which are good for us, make us feel good and make us happy. For me, sometimes this is just looking at my family and feeling that peace which comes with knowing I'm treasured. Sometimes it's just praying and being close to God. Sometimes, it's going swimming and feeling the refreshing water. Sometimes it's relaxing and listening to some music I love. Sometimes it's just exercising and knowing that my body feels better when I get up off my butt and move it. It just all depends on how you look at it.

What brings you joy?