Finding joy and happiness!

As we conclude the last days of this year, I'm committed to helping you find joy!

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday and a joyous time for me.

That wonderful feeling of love, joy and happiness, the celebration of the birth of our savior not the Christmas of consumerism. Since, human beings are hardwired for unity, service, compassion and generosity practicing safe distancing has put a damper on this year celebration. The virus has caused deaths, unemployment, housing issues with no relief insight. We know that finding joy comes from within and no we can not buy happiness.

Even though Christmas is a national holiday, are we remembering the birth of Christ outside of our churches ? Christmas has been replaced with Santa Claus, snow flakes with no reference to Christ even in diminishing numbers of front lawns. However, joy is a state of mind that leads to a life of meaning and satisfaction. There's no doubt 2020 has brought with it some obstacles that have changed our way of life. We have all experienced an increase in stress, a decrease in social interaction and some changes to your emotional health and well being.

Here are practical things to do to ensure our joy.

-Sing! sing in the car, kitchen, shower, rain or wherever you can.

This is a natural way to stimulate nerves, combating anxiety, depression and more.

-Run, or other endurance type exercises.

-Share love and compassion with others it will fuel joy.

-Practice gratitude, especially when times are tough.

-Slow down and focus on the present moment.

-Help someone in need

-Staying social by being creative on ways to interact while staying safe socially.

Last but not least true happiness and joy is in having a relationship with God.

What are others ways you can commit to finding joy?