8 ways to discover joy in your life

Sometimes our lives appear to be going nowhere. Maybe life has become routine, dull, and thankless. We might even have lost our sense of meaning, purpose, and direction. A cloud of hopelessness hangs over our heads. When we realize our emotional state, we need to find ways to break this numbing cycle.

Psychotherapist Bob Livingstone, who specializes in helping victims of trauma, has given us “Seven Ways to Discover Joy.” I have added an eighth. (His seven are in italics.)

1) Listen to music. Music can be very therapeutic. Songs can help us get in touch with our hidden emotions. We can select songs that will make us happy or if we have not cried recently, we can select songs that will induce sadness. The release of tears will help us get in touch with those issues that we need to process and let go.

2) Follow Your Dreams. What do you really want to do in life? Whatever your answer is, just do it! Write down your goal and put down the steps that need to happen to reach that goal. Now is the time to pursue that dream instead of merely fantasizing about it.

3) Let Go of Grief. All of us have been let down or hurt during our lifetime. A loved one might have died abruptly, we might have been abused, or suffered some personal lose. If you are having difficulty forming and keeping relationships, or if a traumatic event that happened years ago seems like it happened yesterday, you may be holding on to your grief. Seek out a good listener or counselor so you can forgive and let go of any anger or resentment.

4) Change Your Job. If you don’t like what you are doing in life, maybe it is time for a change. The object of our labor is not just to make money. We should feel we are using our gifts and talents for the honor and glory of God, our family and others. The lack of new challenges can be deadly for our personal growth and creativity. One caution: don’t quit your present job until you have secured another.

5) Celebrate Your Positive Changes. We tend to focus on the negative aspects of our lives while overlooking or ignoring our positive achievements or qualities. Thank God for the positive changes you may have recently made in your life such as weight lost, being more patient with others, or trying something new.

6) Give to Your Community. Volunteering to help those less fortunate than you will be appreciated by many, and it will reward you spiritually. You will also connect with others who are helping and receiving assistance. This activity will move you out of the theoretical realm and enhance your emotional world.

7) Decide to Break Your Addiction. Whether you are addicted to substances like alcohol or drug of any kind, another person, video games or anything else, getting assistance and eventually breaking your addiction will eventually make you a happier, more productive person. Don’t be afraid to go inside yourself and look at yourself honestly and thoroughly.

8) Make God part of your everyday life. Psalm 23 expressed our reliance on the Almighty shepherding us through life. “He (God) leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Ps. 23:3-4) St. Paul added, “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom. 8:31)

Spiritual writer Kahlil Gibran once said, “The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.” Maybe it’s time to change and enjoy life!