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Joy is natural because it is spiritual.
Those of us who seek to elevate our lives, to spiritualize our daily thoughts and actions, know that it takes effort. But, like anything, there are many different ways to achieve this goal, and some of them are surprisingly easy!
One way is to express spiritual qualities as consistently as possible throughout your day, and yes, even at work!
Seem daunting, or even impossible?
I think when you take a closer look at what those spiritual qualities are, you will find that you are already doing much of it, and that it takes only a little thought and attention to express even more.
For me, spiritual qualities are anything good or positive. Patience, kindness, intelligence, insight, love, strength, beauty, creativity, energy, focus...and on and on. It is recognizing these things as coming from Spirit, and being grateful for seeing these qualities or concepts expressed in our own lives, whether by ourselves or by others, that constitute living a spiritualized life.
One quality I find sometimes difficult to express, is really one of the easiest at times: joy.
The reason I find it difficult is that I forget that it is as important as patience, understanding and strength! I think that if I haven't mastered the others, that simple joy shouldn't count as my daily 'striving to be better.' But it does, and the days I remember this, are days that the rest come more easily too. Also, I think that unless one works with children, or has a particularly 'fun' job, we don't always associate joy with work...but we can!
I have always loved Bible passages that talk about 'sinless joy' because they indicate to me a joy that cannot be contaminated, or corrupted, more than a joy that doesn't involve any sinning (although I am sure that part is important too.)
And joy that is pure and strong like that is a wonderful joy to express. It means that nothing can take away that joy from you, nothing can make it fleeting or unstable. A joy that comes from Spirit (which is every real joy) is one that heavy traffic, bad manners, broken dishes or financial woes cannot destroy!
Seeing this joy better represented in your life is as simple as looking for it. Taking moments throughout the day to see expressions of joy in others or expressing joy yourself over the smaller things that you may have overlooked. Gratitude is a wonderful tool for illuminating the joy around us. The simple things that others do for us: spouse took the kids to daycare on your morning, boss compliments a project you worked on, co-worker brings you your favorite coffee just because! Maybe someone was just really pleasant and kind today? Surely these are all good reasons to be joyful.
We are taught to be excited about the "big things" in our lives, but for me it is the small victories, the small gestures that bring me comfort, security, romance and joy. It means that I really love my life on so many 'normal' days, and I am happy with this. To me, this is living more spiritually. And this is a great reason to be joyful!
Read more from this blogger at Discern Daily .
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