Your Purpose Is To Live In Joy

by Laura Hess

There's so much in our world to experience - so many places to go and things to see. It's easy to get caught up in the need to see it all; to do everything; to be everyplace. And it's exhausting. There's no way to experience deep joy when moving so quickly and with such intensity from one thing to the next. At the pace most people live, the whirlwind created consumes them and leaves no space for anything other than frenetic activity.

And at this pace we miss so much of the world around us. Life doesn't stop and wait for us to catch our breath so we can enjoy the view and become participants in the parade.

As a group, we seem to be more comfortable struggling in our lives instead of enjoying them and finding pleasure in the simplest things. We have a tendency to look for ways to make things harder instead of finding the easy way. We repeat old patterns even when we know they don't work. Through it all, we wonder why happiness has chosen to turn it's back on us. We ask, over and over again, "Where is the joy in life?"

It's there. The truth is, it's us who've turned our backs on happiness and joy. I don't believe this is a conscious choice. It's more that we've learned specific behaviors and ways to react/respond to the circumstances of our lives. Old ways of thinking dominate our minds (our subconscious) and we're not even aware of the process, nor do we have a clue how to make a change in the patterns. Religious training, societal norms and family environments contribute to the myth that struggle is the path to life success. Still, at the end of the path (where ever that is) few people are in a state of happiness and joy. Most find themselves asking, "Is this all there is?" Nobody that I've heard of has, on their death bed, ever wished for more time in the office (stress and struggle).

When I speak of having joy in your life and being able to be in joy all the time, I don't mean the jump-up-and-down-and-laugh-out-loud kind of joy that comes in a moment. I'm referring to the kind of joy experienced when your heart is at peace and the details of life don't catch you and throw you into a tailspin.

So you're thinking, "Yeah. Right. That's sounds fine for you. What about my life? How can I possibly get to that place?"

First you have to believe it's possible. One of the principles of neuro linguistic programming is that if one person can do something, anybody can. The idea is to learn how they do what they do and use them for a model. Repeat their patterns and you can have/achieve the same things. That holds true for living in joy. If you need a model to copy, use me and my life. I guarantee, it's not always been like this for me…AND I can honestly say that now I live at peace and in joy almost 100% of the time. If you believe it's possible for me and not for you, my request is that you trust me on this one. Act as if what I say is true.

Next, move past the things that are really big in your life and dragging you down - a job you hate, a relationship that's not working or something that feels so big you just can't get around it. Here's the reality: It's only that big if you let it be. You're not powerless. You can take action and change what's off for you. You may not yet have the resources or support to do it. You can, though, and you will if you really want to. So in moving into joy, you may need to look at these challenges from a different perspective. The situation is not your prison; it's your spring board into a changed life. You may need coaching, therapy or guidance to move on. Do what ever it takes.

Finally, here are the key changes you can begin making now. I don't presume to think they are all easy. They're not. I know these are the things that made a difference for me and for many of my clients:

1. Identify what's most important to you - what you really like and what you don't. Learn to say "yes" to what you like and "no" to the rest.

2. Attitude is everything. You are surrounded by so much to be grateful for. If you struggle with this one, begin with being grateful for your life - you are special and unique and in this world for a reason. Who you are matters.

3. Look for the positive in all things. Sometimes this can be a huge challenge. Do it anyway.

4. Learn to love yourself. No matter what you've done, how you act or how you look, you're still loveable. Joy begins inside you. Appreciate yourself, love yourself. Find pleasure in looking into your own eyes in the mirror. Make friends with the person looking back at you and share the joy of being.

There is so much more. This is a journey. Begin here and begin now. Joy is your inheritance. Claim it! §

Laura Hess is a Personal and Business Coach working with people want-ing more for themselves and opening her clients' minds to the unlimited possibilities for a great life. She resides in Las Vegas and is a free-lance writer. 800-870-3877 or 702-252-3657. Visit her website at: www.SPARCKint.com or email her at laura@sparckint.com