You can experience joy no matter what if you have the strength to thrive (not just survive) during hard times. Despite appearances to the contrary, every experience has something in it for you to grow from – you will learn something about yourself, the human spirit, or the world around you. These experiences shape your life. Tuning into the miracle behind the difficulty can bring real and lasting joy.
Our lives are shaped in a positive way to the extent that we are able to receive what is good in the midst of all that appears to be bad. The key is keeping our minds and bodies clear so that we can receive deep learning and experience spiritual growth. This includes allowing yourself to have a good cry, to experience real anger and regret, to agonize and second-guess yourself and others, but when you are ready, you must turn your heart to trusting that there is a greater good in all of this (whatever this is).
You must create for yourself a personal environment in which you can take care of yourself with as much passion and tirelessness as you would care for someone else who needs your help. You need you right now.
1. Be wary of alcohol and drugs.
It is undeniable that alcohol and some drugs can take the edge off and create what feels like a safe barrier between you and what is happening. They can work remarkably well at numbing the pain – but only for a brief time. If you rely too heavily on alcohol and drugs, you will eventually feel more depressed and less energized than your situation warrants.
2. Keep your goals in front of you
Even if your life appears to have just gone the wrong direction. Look at what life is throwing at you as a test to determine whether your goals are the right goals. If so, the universe is calling you to prove it to yourself through persistence. On the other hand, you may see that your goals were not very meaningful in the grand scheme of things and they need to be reshaped based on what you’ve learned. In any case, make sure you have goals to keep you looking forward to the wonderful life that is ahead of you.
3. Be mindful or your diet
It is so easy to indulge in comfort foods during hard times – chips, sweets, pizza, pasta, bread – whatever it is for you. But just like with alcohol and drugs, if you allow things to get too out of balance you will only make things worse. A well-balanced diet is crucial to a sound mind, body, spirit and emotions. Do you really want to be dealing with health issues along with everything else?
4. Use exercise as an anti-depressant
Just 30 minutes of continuous exercise will release endorphins which is nature’s way of giving you a healthy high. Your energy level goes up as well as your outlook on life. Give yourself the gift of exercise.
5. Manage your sleep
No one enjoys being an insomniac and nothing is more frustrating than getting only a few hours of sleep at a time. Pay attention to your lifestyle and make adjustments that encourage sound sleep. Avoid food and beverages altogether after 7:00 p.m. so your body doesn’t have to work so hard during the night processing what you ate or drank. Avoid reading and watching things that are overly stimulating. Spend time on a hobby or doing light stretching before bedtime. Keep the lights low and pick up a CD with music that is soothing and can help your mind relax and prepare for sleep.
If you focus on nothing else but these 5 things, I guarantee you, your spirits will be lifted, your body will be energized and your joy will be restored. You must choose to “own your joy” – don’t give your joy away to your circumstance, alcohol, food, a sedentary lifestyle and sleepless nights – your joy belongs to you, so make your life like a thriving garden where everything is just right for growing joy!
