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!
* * * * * * * * * *
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 
Recently, I had to visit someone in the hospital for quite a few days. There was a wonderful melody that would come over the loud speaker from time to time. I was told that it meant that a new baby was born. What a joy that was added to what could have been stressful. Our Lord gives us so many joyful things.
What a lovely idea! The announcement of a new baby always brings a smile–even for strangers. And you’re right, Shelley: joy does relieve stress. Someone in that hospital is a brilliant strategist!
Words bring me joy! The way they can be revised and rearranged on the page to express a feeling or emotion. I love getting lost in that endeavor. Thank you for these joyful words, Nancy!
You’re welcome, Debbie. I too love words, fitting them together like a jigsaw puzzle to create meaning, rhythm, and hopefully a bit of ingenuity. I’m also in awe that THE Word allows us the sublime pleasure of communicating with words!
Amen to that, Nancy! Praise God!!
Yes, and God could have given us just soybeans for food; complete nutrition in one tasteless legume. But no, God gave us a great variety of tasty, colorful food in a bountiful variety of textures and shapes. What a good God! When we open our eyes, we see His goodness everywhere.
AMEN, Robert–God displays his goodness everywhere. I too am thankful we don’t have to depend on soybeans for sustenance!
Puppies and pre-schoolers bring me joy, because they are so new to the planet and not “programmed” yet. Whatever they feel is right on the surface—be it happy or sad.
Indeed–cuteness definitely brings on the smiles. I also love the wide-eyed astonishment of toddlers and preschoolers as they catch a snowflake on their mitten, see the crocus brave the cold, or spot a deer foraging in the underbrush, almost invisible because of her camouflage. The wonder children express at such times rekindles our own, and joy follows.
Hi Nancy,
Wow, a cup of coffee makes you joyful. Well, so far in life, that has not worked for me. Did try 13 cups in the military when I had to stay up all night. Would not be coffee for you as I must have had half cream/milk and lots of sugar. It was nice to sing , “Were You There” in the balcony for Easter. That brought joy when you think of the words.
I do like the joy I feel after an hour of water aerobics. 🙂 Thanks for your thoughts.
Sam
Thank you, Sam, for adding more joys to our list. Music is an important one–I can’t imagine life without it. So glad we’ll be singing in heaven too! Is your joy after water aerobics because you’re relieved it’s over?!
Hi Nancy, 🙂
The joy is mostly because my legs have bounce back in them after water aerobics.♡
Sam
That bounce is good for the hiking you do!
Oh, amen, Nancy! It is realizing the joy in the simplest of things, then sharing that joy with others, that expands the love we have for everyone and everything in God’s creation. I’ve been celebrating the little things lately, as you will see in my blog post tomorrow. God’s grace is endless, as is the joy He gives. We simply need to tune into it all and let it flow through us.
Let’s spread the joy!
I have to admit, for much of my life I moved too fast and focused too intently on the to-do-list to truly enjoy all the small blessings God provided each day. As a result, I missed out on the full joy he wanted to bring into my life. But praise God, he’s been teaching me how to tune in! With you I DO want to spread his joy to others. It’s such a glorious way to live!
‘Share a joy and expand that joy.’
And you’ve shown us exactly how to do that with this beautiful post. Love.
Thank you, Linda. Joy does seem to grow exponentially when shared. Praise God for designing such a phenomenon!
living aware is something I continue to work on too. Love your example of sharing joy increases joy!
Glad you enJOYed the example, Jean. That increased MY joy!
We had freezing rain last evening; although I don’t discount the dangers of walking and driving on it today the ice that has formed on the trees gave me a burst of joy. It emphasized the beauty of the branches…highlighting the artistry of His creation! Secondly, in January I began walking one to two miles a day at our mall. It makes me feel so joyful and blessed that I am physically able to do this; I see quite a few who struggle with a cane or use a walker to get their exercise and this reminds me to be grateful as I pray for them.
I agree that an ice storm does create otherworldly beauty among the trees, but it’s NOT the time for driving or walking anywhere. Kudos to you Cheri for sticking to your walking routine at the mall! I too am thankful to be able to stay relatively strong and keep pain away (back pain specifically) with regular exercise. As for those people with canes and walkers, still pushing themselves to get THEIR exercise? I’m IMPRESSED! God bless YOU, Cheri, for praying for them.
😀🙃
Being outdoors brings me joy. Specifically camping! Especially when family is involved. Just being surrounded by the evidence of the Creator is a true joy maker for me.
Oh yes, Benita. You are so right! Michael Hyatt, former CEO of Thomas Nelson, calls the outdoors, God’s Living Room. I love that. A perfect image of the intensified joy we experience with him in his creation!
Similar to Shelley’s comment, our daughter-in-law changed the outdoor lights on her garage to pink last week, then turned them on after her third daughter was born on Wednesday. Such a clever way to alert the (somewhat nagging) neighborhood but also to spread the joy you speak of!
In my imagination I can see the neighbors smiling with joy when those pink lights came on! A clever idea indeed. (But please tell me she wasn’t up on a ladder changing the lights on her garage nine-months pregnant!!)
Nancy,
May the Lord help us with this.
In Christ, Gary
Amen, Gary!
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit… I am reminded of Jesus telling us this, in…John 15:11… “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. (NKJV) When we allow the Holy Spirit to totally control our lives…(after we confess, repent, and turn from any sins the Holy Spirit reminds us of…(1 John 1:9), we are filled with the Spirit…(Ephesians 5:18-20), and then are able to walk in and by the full power of the Holy Spirit…(Galatians 5:16)…
I believe it is the Holy Spirit that helps us see the joys of life, along with filling our hearts with the love of Christ, and providing a spiritual peace that goes beyond our mortal understanding…Philippians 4:6-7…
Great post !! I am reposting it today…
Blessings in Christ, bruce
AMEN, Bruce! God the Son and God the Spirit DO expand greatly our capacity for joy. He is the mightiest Joy-Booster of them all! Thank you for your insightful addition to the list, as well as the reposting at your blog. I am honored and praising God!
Joy, unlike happiness is a spiritual Fruit, a gift from the Holy Spirit of God. Thus, just like any fruit, you spread its seed around, it is bound to blossom and grow in fertile ground! Great article! 👍💗🕊😇
Absolutely, Roland! God has engineered us so as we spread seeds of joy around, he plants even more in our own hearts. The verse, “It is more blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:35) applies to much more than just money or gifts!
My joy is boosted by the unexpected phones calls or texts from grandchildren, the special way my husband Gator looks at me when I least expect it, a text or call from a friend just when I need it most, preparing a meal with my children. Then especially in the early quiet morning time with Jesus and I feel his love in that moment .
Well done, Anita! Looks to me like your short-list above covers your days with many joyful moments. Pretty soon you’ll be able to add the view of your beautiful flowers out the windows, and the delight (?) of caring for them. (I’m assuming you enjoy gardening, but perhaps it’s more the finished product that makes you smile!)
Goodness we do indeed take for granted so many blessings (big and small)…your post is a reminder to truly stop and smell the roses.❤️
I for one need frequent reminders. It’s so easy to focus in on the ever-present to-do- list, but I’m learning!