Tuesday, August 5
- Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10 – “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
- Reflection: In times when we feel the world is divided and we are carrying tension, tapping into joy becomes a spiritual discipline. It pushes back against despair, being overwhelmed, being stuck or feeling powerless. Today we return to the exploration of ways to cultivate joy.
Like all bodily, mental, emotional, and spiritual exercises, practice and repetition build up our muscles, including the ones that help us access joy. Such aspects of human character sustain us through challenges and sorrows. Psychology Today offers some suggestions to actively foster our ability (full article). They say, “One way to cultivate joy is to make a list of things that bring unique and blissful moments of joy.” Then they recommend that we take action about the items on the list. “Explore some easy … ways to move lists from inspiration to committed action.” Below are some of their insights..- Scheduling: Set aside time for play, creativity, unproductivity, and emotional expression. Creating blocks of time in our calendars to enjoy creative expression, feel our feelings, inhabit our bodies, and just be well gets us that much closer to making it happen. [Another practitioner adds the wisdom of giving yourself permission to experience ‘unplanned’ time.]
- Celebration: Recognize the efforts, wins, and the little moments of victory. Celebrate for the big and the small.
- Attitude: Bring on the enthusiasm of a growth mindset … embrace curiosity and light-heartedness.
- Music: Music has the power to boost, transform, and validate moods. Create mood playlists and enjoy the hunt for new songs that inspire and soothe.
- Follow the energy: When we feel good, we have more energy to do the things we love and make an impact. Seek out people, experiences, and responsibilities that bring life and energy.
- Spirit and soul: What feeds your soul? What motivates you to live in a way that feels good? Find your higher power through purpose.
- Spiritual Practice Prompt: Take a step to nurture your ability to experience joy. Choose one of the recommendations above, or other steps you know are viable for you. Make time and space to allow that step to be part of the regular self-care.
Song:
- Joyful by Dante Bowe: https://youtu.be/zwvSKPOaQVg?si=N4DIc_jXyajW1IBa
Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain… To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices – today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it. — Kevyn Aucoin
August 5 Daily Devotional