Years ago I came across an amusing, tongue-in-cheek article, “What Your Favorite Color Says about You.” Wish I’d saved it, but alas.
I remember thinking, This will be fun to share with the girls in the faculty lounge during our break. Those girls would be the other fourth grade teachers at my school.
Sure enough, as each colleague revealed her favorite color and I read its meaning, they began to laugh uproariously, because the humorous descriptions fit each person’s personality perfectly. A few times I could hardly get the words out before a giggle-fit would overpower me—even though the article was already familiar.
Had the laughter come while reading to myself? No—not until I shared it.
Surely you’ve noticed this phenomenon, which brings us to the first joy-booster:
Share a joy and expand that joy.
St. Augustine explained it this way:
What a God-given gift—the privilege to contribute happiness to one another, and find our own joy increased as well.
Another joy booster?
Pay attention to detail.
I wonder how many of God’s delightful gifts have escaped my attention because I’ve been distracted?
I’m still striving to live aware and not allow my thoughts to be so focused on events (past, present, or future), what-ifs, or the to-do list, that I miss God’s glory right in front of me.
I want to:
- Take note of the graceful sway of the willow trees
- Breathe in the aroma of a crisp winter’s morning
- Listen attentively to the happy praises of a house sparrow
- Pause to truly taste the nutty goodness of freshly brewed coffee
- Focus on the cool softness of a rose petal
The incredible gift of the ordinary! Glory comes streaming from the table of life.
Macrina Wiederkehar
Joy Booster #3:
Express gratitude and be filled with joy (Deuteronomy 26:11; Psalm 126:3).
Expressing appreciation for what we already have—even the little things—can profoundly affect our spirits.
For example, I’m grateful for:
Color. God could have created the world in shades of gray; it probably wouldn’t have mattered. But the variety, the interest, and infinite number of color-combinations add such great pleasure to our lives.
Anticipation. The remarkable aroma of garlic and onions simmering in olive oil–a precursor to the savory soup we’ll enjoy in a few hours–all the more flavorful because my husband is making it. (He actually likes to cook!)
The contrast of light and shadow. The security lights on the backsides of the neighbors’ houses create enough glow so tree branches cast lovely criss-cross shadows across the snow.
Steve’s three squeezes when he holds my hand. It means, “I love you;” and we’ve been passing that silent message back and forth for over forty years.
The dimples on a baby’s hand—the epitome of cuteness.
And while contemplating such blessings, I realize afresh why God has told us to rejoice at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:16).
Let’s boost our joy by sharing happiness to those around us, living attentively, and expressing our thanks to God continually!
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What boosts your joy? Tell us about it in the Comment section below!
Photo credits: pixabay.com; canva.com; geograph.org.uk; pixabay.com; wallpaperflare.com; wikimedia.com; pixhere.com.
(Revised and reblogged from March 29, 2014.)
From the Inside Out 