Living Joyfully

To Remember is to be mindful. It is a process of bringing to one’s mind an awareness of someone or something. To Flourish means to grow by making steady progress facilitated by a supportive environment. Remembering to Flourish is a call to action to live a life aware of the need to not only be intentional about finding fulfillment in our lives, but to also engage in practices that facilitate flourishing. I have identified twelve practices that have facilitated flourishing in my life. My hope is that these practices will also help you to remember to flourish. Below, you will find a description of the first practice.

Recall: (Remember) Living Joyfully

Recharge: (Meditation) Living Joyfully is the first practice in remembering to flourish. This practice is a reminder to look for and experience joy every day. With so many tragedies in the news and setbacks in life, it can sound a bit unrealistic to experience joy every day. Likely because we so often confuse joy and happiness. There is a difference. A person pursues happiness but chooses joy. Happiness prioritizes finding pleasure in the moment. Happiness is dependent upon circumstances that feel good, taste good, sound good, and look good. Happiness is not lasting.

Joy, on the other hand, is an inner feeling; a state of being. Joy intentionally looks for beauty, quickly forgives, celebrates the success of others, and does not sweat the small stuff. Joy is not dependent upon circumstances. Even when circumstances would snatch our happiness, joy is possible when our life is centered in Christ. In John 15:11, Jesus says: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” In Christ, we can live joyfully no matter the circumstances.

Reflect:(Journal Prompt) In what ways have you pursued happiness in the last few days? In what ways have you chosen joy? What one thing could you do differently in the next seven days to live more joyfully?

Rehearse: (Affirmation) I choose joy. I choose to live joyfully.

Refill: (Prayer) Jesus, you are the center of my joy. Help me to live my life as a reflection of the joy that I have found in you. When life is hard, when my heart is heavy, and when my spirit is weary, help me to choose joy. Jesus, you came that I might have life and have it more abundantly. A more abundant life is a flourishing life. Help me to remember to flourish by choosing to live a life full of joy. Amen.