Start adding more joy to your life today

Bills due. Money is tight and your pants are too (stress craves ice cream). House is a mess. Husband is grouchy. You run into a friend who not only looks great but seems to have a fabulous life only to realize later you had a Cheerio in your hair during your entire conversation.

This, my friend, is life. I don’t know if you can relate to any of these things but that is the case for me more times than I would care to admit. Your situation is different obviously. Maybe better, maybe worse. Either way, I am confident of this: If you are alive, your life isn’t perfect. Your marriage, your kids, your job, your domestic skills, your body . . . all imperfect. It is great to make strides toward improving these things. Just don’t hold your breath for perfect. Won’t happen. In this life, it is not IF we will have trouble but WHEN.

This is hard for me to swallow as an optimist. I have found though, that it is so much easier to live day to day knowing that in spite of our troubles, we always have a choice. We can choose to believe the best about others (particularly our husband and children). We can choose to focus on the things that are going well in our lives. We can still choose to take the time to laugh and enjoy the people and the blessings God has given us this day. I have to make a conscious effort to plan in my playtime or I will miss the blessings that are right in front of me! All for what, making another dent in that list?

The enemy has a way of making our troubles seem urgent and encouraging us to procrastinate our joy. Don’t fall for it! If you are waiting for your “to-do’s” to be done or for this crisis to pass before you enjoy your life- you are being deceived. After this crisis passes another one will be right on its tail. Don’t allow your circumstances to dictate your joy.

Here are a few FREE things that you can do to add joy to your life:

• Go for a walk
• Call your mom or dad
• Have sex with your spouse
• Laugh more
• Tickle your kids (or your spouse)
• Play with your pets
• Make a list of all the blessings God has given you and refer to/add to it often

Now, pick a few and start adding more joy to your life . . . today!