This month we’ve emphasized the importance of finding joy in the midst of challenges and uncertainties. It has to do with where we focus our thinking. And remember, science supports the value of looking for what is good in every day or even every hour. It increases the opportunities for greater joy, health, and happiness.

For example, you’ve just dealt with a troublesome situation. It feels like your energy is sapped and your spirits are down. Yet, you know the power of finding small joys throughout the day. What do you do? Perhaps you have a photo in your office that brings a sense of joy – so you look at it and invite positive thoughts into your space. Maybe you take a walk around the office and intentionally look for something good to share with someone else. Or, perhaps you offer a word of encouragement to another as you pass by them. Or, you might do as the woman in the photo, and act silly for 5 seconds.

Reading a quote or speaking a prayer also brings a sense of encouragement, motivation, and strength. Below are three different quotes that speak to finding joy in the midst of challenges. There is a common theme in all three which has to do with personal attitude.

“In celebration of the deepest truth that the present moment is the moment of fullest joy and is the heart of life itself — which is always and only in the “Now.” ~ Ed Sancious from Celebrate What’s Right with the World (2001)

“If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?” ~ Maya Angelou

 “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, or what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home… a friendship. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one we have and that is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you… We are in charge of our attitudes.” ~ Sam Walton From The Happiness Equation, Neil Pasricha, (2016)

Want to know more about the importance of positive thinking and finding joy in the midst of uncertainties? Join us for one of our upcoming seminars or book studies, and/or hire one of our coaches and see what a difference it makes for you.

Read other articles in this series at this link.