Do You Feel the Joy?

When you think of the word "joy", what comes to mind?  Your children or grandchildren?  You wedding day?  Maybe graduating from college or getting that long-awaited promotion at work?  Although these are each wonderful things that may bring us happiness, I would argue that they do not truly bring us joy.

You see, all of the things I mentioned above are external.  Joy comes from the inside and radiates out.  When you look outwardly for your joy, what happens when something goes wrong?  What happens if you don't get the job or your child disappoints you or your marriage ends in divorce?

Joy is a sense of peace and contentment.  It is the knowledge that no matter what happens, everything will be okay.  Joy is the satisfaction of knowing that God (or whatever higher power you believe in) loves you and wants what is best for you. Joy is a love of life and a thankfulness for waking up to see another day.

So, look inward for your joy.  As you look inside, feel those feelings of happiness that you experience when you think of your children, your wedding day, or the day you landed that job.  Then multiply that happiness by 100.  That's joy!  Make a habit of feeling the joy each and every day!