5 Surefire Ways to Live Joyfully

“Don’t Worry – Be Happy.” It sounds cliché and is easier said than done. Especially when we’re in the midst of something we feel is robbing us of our joy. 

Difficult times are an unfortunate part of life, but they are also opportunities for growth. Many of us believe, even if unconsciously, that our personal happiness is the result of our circumstances, but happiness is a choice – and it can be cultivated. 

Here are some ways to increase your everyday joy: 

1. Accentuate your positives. 

Identify your strengths and try focusing on them daily. If you’re reasonably self-aware, you probably already have a good idea of what they are. The key is to find situations in which to use them each day. Studies show that happiness increases and depression decreases when a person uses his or her individual strengths regularly. For example, if your strengths are humor, kindness, and appreciation of beauty, look for ways to use them throughout your day; chances are you’ll feel more joyful.

2. Invest in experiences.

I happen to be a person who derives more joy from experiences than things, so most of my recreational money is spent on travel, food, and performing arts, rather than new gadgets or toys. Regardless of income levels, enjoyed experiences can be better investments in terms of happiness than acquiring material goods. Just as a new car begins losing its value as soon as it leaves the lot, “stuff” begins decreasing in “happiness value” almost as soon as it’s purchased. Experiences, however, have multiple emotional benefits.  

  • The anticipation, itself, of an experience can produce feelings of excitement and joy. 
  • Talking about the experience afterward can regenerate happy memories, and sharing positive experiences with friends can actually boost their happiness, too.
  • There’s no opportunity to “get used to” an experience; it occurs in a limited time frame. We generally don’t become bored with new experiences the same way we do with new stuff. 

3. Learn to savor.

Savoring is the act of momentarily stepping outside of an experience to review and appreciate it while it’s happening — and, paradoxically, it’s a way of helping you stay more present in it. Learning to savor an experience can extend the enjoyment of it.  

Try to find a moment to savor each day and share that experience with someone else. Actively looking for and anticipating these moments can elevate your happiness quotient.  

4. Spread the love.

If you’re generally a thankful person and readily express appreciation, your happiness levels increase. It is an easy thing to practice. Make a list of five things you’re grateful for and then simply reflect on them during the day. Doing this even once a week can increase feelings of joy and gratitude and reduce symptoms of ill health.  

Additionally, performing random acts of kindness is another way to promote happiness. Many of us have had the experience of receiving more joy spending money on others than on ourselves. God’s Word bears this out in Acts 20:35, where Paul states that the “Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Simple gestures such as buying a friend a greeting card “just because” or a cup of coffee for a stranger can boost happiness levels. So, pay it forward. 

5. The road to happiness.

It’s as much about the journey as the destination. Remembering to regularly do the things you already know are beneficial to your well-being; such as exercising daily, eating well, and getting enough sleep are essential. But developing new habits that will lead you to feel consistently better is the goal here; so, why not choose one or two above and try them. Your happiness will be the reward.

mission trips

4 Practical Ways to Prepare for A Mission Trip

Before embarking on your first mission trip, there are a variety of things you can do to prepare yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually. This article will focus on some of the practical steps you can take to ensure you get the most out of your experience. Here are four things

Go to Blog »
fundraising

Fundraising Tips for Your Mission Trip

Forward Edge International has sent over 1,500 mission teams over the past three decades. During that time, we’ve gathered a few tips common among those who’ve successfully raised funds for their trip. Fundraising not only helps support your trip financially, it also provides a way for your friends and family

Go to Blog »
child sponsorship

Am I Making a Difference?

Ever wonder if you’re really making an impact in the life of the child you sponsor? The very fact that your child knows you chose them shows them they are special and that they matter. They know they’re important to you and also to God, you may even be an

Go to Blog »
living on mission

Living from Overflow

“Consider this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly,

Go to Blog »
Transform a Child's Life Through Sponsorship

Ka wula (hello), my name is Fidous Wuntia

  • location

    Ghana

  • 12 yrs. old

    08-06-2012

Entered the program: March 2023

Fidous lives with his mother, six siblings, and his grandmother in a two-bedroom house built with mud and a thatch roof. The community has access to electricity and potable water but Fidous’s mom cannot afford it, so they are not connected to these services. There is poor sanitation in the community which poses a health hazard.

Fidous’s family is Muslim. His parents are separated. His mother is unemployed and there is little assistance from his father. Before Create Hope, providing food for the children was a big challenge and they often had to beg for food or go for days without. Fidous now goes to school every day with a full stomach, although he does suffer with stomach ulcers.

Sponsorship Level What's this?

Three $38 sponsorships are needed to cover the complete holistic care of one child. Cover one, two, or three sponsorships.