Jump for Joy

PRINCIPLE#9 : CULTIVATE JOY

“Joy is not in things; it is in us.”

- Richard Wagner

Happiness is great; it is someone letting you cut in line when you are in hurry, a good joke and the effects of a lazy Sunday. It is the burst of fun, aliveness, excitement or contentment that is a result of an external event, condition or experience. Who does not like happiness? Relying on happiness to validate and to quantify your experience however can be a slippery slope, as it can leave you looking for your next hit in order to feel good, alive or connected. Happiness is the outward demonstration as a result of an event and as you probably know it is fleeting. What I want for my clients is joy and fulfillment. I want them to have an internal reservoir of strength, acceptance and well-being that is separate from external happenings. Joy is an internal state; a knowing and a trusting in your ability to create and experience fulfillment in all areas of your life. Fulfillment as defined in Webster’s Dictionary is, “to bring into actuality; effect, to bring to an end; complete." It is the bringing of yourself fully and wholly into the present; developing, changing and growing in order to be completely satisfied and realized in the here and now. Fulfillment and joy are intrinsic states of being and are not dependant on outside events but instead flourish from valuing yourself. Joy is cultivating a relationship with yourself and your life; devouring the black, the white and the grey.

NO EXPIRATION DATE

Although joy and happiness can feel the same, they vary greatly in their shelf life and their impact. Joy will lead to happiness, whereas happiness does not necessarily lead to joy. Joy is the safety net you carry with you; the insurance policy and constant reminder of your internal strength. It is this depth of knowledge that encourages you, pushes you, holds you, reminds you and loves you through all the nuances contained within your existence. I have heard it said that you know you are on the right track when you are happy, however when I ask clients to define happiness they struggle to put words to it and will often describe external conditions such as: “I will have more money, be healthier, have a better relationship with my spouse and so on." Upon further discussion what they discover is that they are looking for the intrinsic state of fulfilment and joy that these external experiences will provide. Joy and fulfillment are the meat and potatoes and happiness is the sprinkling of salt and pepper. Create a fulfilling inner world and watch joy expand.

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. – Henri Nouwen

TWELVE TIPS TO APPLYING THIS PRINCIPLE

1. Know your word. Know your values. Cultivate self-awareness and take responsibility for your life.

2. Be selfish – take care of yourself in all ways, everyday.

3. Practice gratitude.

4. Get support to maximize each area of your life in order to be fulfilled.

5. Make sure you are working for and enjoying a life, not just a lifestyle.

6. Give to others.

7. Do something every day that makes you smile.

8. Remember joy is a state of being, you do not have to go looking for it, it is within.

9. Joy is not dependent on people, events or circumstances.

10. Meditate, get out in nature, paint, write – connect with inspiration as a way to cultivate joy.

11. Enjoy bursts of happiness – they add “spice” to your life and should be enjoyed.

12. Surround yourself with people who are lit from within.




If you would like to rediscover your internal joy and lead a fulfilling life, please contact me at, http://www.onpurposelifecoach.com/