I choose JOY

Google defines joy as:

joy

/joi/

Learn to pronounce

noun

1. a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

   "tears of joy"

Joy to me is very similar to the definition above, but with my own twist.

For example, it’s common to feel happiness when things are going right in our lives. When everything aligns and makes sense for us. Feeling joy in these situations is an added layer. Your heart is full, you’re smiling, and you are elated. 

The Christian duo For King & Country released a song in 2018 called joy. I feel like this song encapsulates what JOY is, how to find it, and how to CHOOSE it. Just like happiness, we have to CHOOSE to feel joy. 

We are all aware that the world is still on fire. The news is a mess, everyone is experiencing some level of depression and anxiety. And while things seem dark and hard to navigate, we have to choose how we respond. Not every day is going to feel great. That’s normal human nature. But if we choose to have a good day, if we choose to be joyful, there is a chance the day will be light years better than a bad day. 

It’s become more evident that our society is looking for someone or something to blame - whenever things go wrong. At the most minor inconvenience, no one can take responsibility- so they look to blame anyone or anything that makes sense. This is a choice. If you are taking full responsibility for how you’re feeling and how YOU are going to fix it, your world will become infinitely better.

I’m sure there will be a rebuttal for this post, and I welcome conversation. As long as it’s a true conversation rather than dragging anyone publicly on social media for how they feel or how they found healing. This blog was born so that I could share my own experiences with things, and to let anyone struggling know they are not alone. Maybe your experience is different than mine and your healing looked different. That’s GREAT! It doesn’t mean that either experience is less than the other. 

Choosing joy in today’s climate is freaking hard. It’s so much easier to just succumb to the bullshit shoved down our throats and ride the misery train 24/7. If that is the choice you are making, own it. YOU are in charge of your joy and happiness. There’s nothing wrong with you if you are having trouble navigating the world right now. We are all struggling in one way or another - and NO ONE is in competition in terms of struggle. That’s just ridiculous. We are all suffering in some way, shape, or form. Which is why choosing joy is hard, but sometimes necessary. 

Imagine a world where the pandemic wasn’t even a thought. What does your day look like? How do you feel? How does your heart feel? Where are you the happiest? Do you feel joy? 

Yes I’m aware that’s not the current state of the world. But sometimes, you need to remove yourself from the mayhem and escape for a little while. You might find that you feel joy a little more than if you allow the current weight of the world to sit on your shoulders. 

At the end of the day, we are in charge of our reactions and our actions. Making choices are things we need to take ownership of, and live with. If you don’t like something, change it. YOU are in control of your joy and happiness, no one else.