What would you rather take with you in eternity? Joy or worry?
The answer to this question may seem easy for most of us, and yet, our lives tell a different story. Let us be honest and admit that our first reflex is worry!
There is no point judging ourselves. Worry has become our second nature. We don’t even realise that we have a choice. We worry in good faith, trying to do our best, thinking that we are being responsible.
That’s what we have seen others do, that’s what is seen as wise and mature in our culture. What we don’t seem to realise, what we are never told, is that by constantly giving in to worry, we weaken our ability to be happy, and we unwittingly contribute to creating a low vibration ambient energy.
The bottom line is this: if you really want to be happy, and if you want to create a better world, you must replace worry with Joy.
You must decide – and learn how to – make Joy your priority.
You can live Joyfully!
You can choose Joy over worry.
Right now, in this very moment you can choose to smile rather than frown.
You may not think much of it, buy this choice has consequences. It defines your state – which in turn determines your thoughts and translates in your actions and future choices.
Every day, in every moment, you have the choice between Joy or worry.
And every choice you make determines whether you strengthen happiness or misery. Ultimately these choices add up into a story: your life story in eternity!
How would you like it to be? A story of Joy or a story of worry?
Worry is a natural response. It is our instinctive way of coping with the various challenges thrown at us. We are constantly trying to figure out how to control life. But how does worrying help us? The more we worry, the more stressed we become. The truth is that worry keeps us caught in a vicious cercle. It blocks our creativity, and it undermines our ability to truly appreciate and enjoy life. Worry takes us further and further away from being happy.
Have you noticed how even in the most wonderful moments of celebration worry often creeps in? “What if something goes wrong? What if others judge me?” We have become so accustomed to worry, that we consider it normal, or even wise. And this, in turn, means that we are suspicious of Joy.
Yet, it is Joy that makes our life worthwhile, not worry!
It is the moments of Joy that you cherish, those moments of laughter and bliss, of communion and serenity, that you want to take with you in eternity!
So, how do you get into the habit of choosing Joy?
- Give yourself permission to make Joy your priority. Do it for yourself and for humanity.
- Take every opportunity to replace worry with Joy. Practise choosing Joy in every moment and every circumstance, patiently, and resolutely.
1. Give yourself permission to make Joy your priority.
To succeed in life we must be serious, work hard, suffer in silence and sacrifice Joy to worry. Only then we can be happy.
Well, the contrary is true.
Worry will never make you happy. It cannot solve any problem. It is a tragic waste of energy. Once you let worry in, it takes over. There is always another – and another reason to worry. It affects your thoughts, your feelings, your state, your decisions, your wellbeing. It is a recipe for perpetual misery. The very opposite of peace and Joy.
And it does not stop with you!
When you give in to worry, you sacrifice your ability to be happy.
But, as if that wasn’t sad enough, when you choose worry, you unwittingly contribute to the ambient negativity.
To put it bluntly, when you sacrifice Joy to worry, you lower the vibration for all of us!
The wisest, smartest, and kindest thing to do, not only for yourself but for everyone around you…is to choose Joy!
Choosing Joy helps you and helps humanity.
When you understand this, you can give yourself permission to choose Joy.
Start by making a statement:
“I now make Joy my priority. I allow myself to choose Joy, to share Joy, and to be happy, for myself, and for humanity!”
2. Take every opportunity to replace worry with Joy
By now you hopefully agree that it is not worth spending life in worry.
You have decided to make Joy your priority. Because you know that by choosing Joy you honour your life and help humanity.
But how do you transition from all pervasive worry to liberating Joy?
By staying aware, by being patient and determined. And by constantly reminding yourself to choose Joy.
Every time you catch yourself worrying, just notice the old habit and tell yourself mentally: “Why worry? I now have an opportunity to use my creativity and transform this situation to my advantage. I choose Joy!”
I encourage you to find your own best way to remind yourself to choose Joy. Simply smiling – when you catch yourself worrying – is a very effective way to break the tension. You can also stop and take several deep breaths. Or shift your focus to a familiar object you associate with positivity. Or recall a happy memory. Looking at a plant, or at the sky, watching a child or a pet play, can also work wonders. Anything that instantly reminds you to put things into perspective and to choose Joy.
For more ideas on how to shift your focus to Joy, download this free Joy Bingo cheat sheet. Have fun with it! With time, you can make your own list of Joy triggers to use when worry threatens to take over.
Be patient. This will take practice. Be kind too. Don’t judge yourself for falling back on your old habit of worry – it is so deeply ingrained in our psyche, and so prevalent in our society, that it will take focus and persistence to replace it. It’s an ongoing battle. Yet it is possible to win this battle, and you will succeed if you commit to it. The very fact that you are now aware of the possibility of choosing Joy is a huge victory! Remember we are doing this for ourselves and for humanity.
When doubt creeps in, imagine that you are talking to a child, or to a good friend. Be supportive and encouraging. Tell yourself: “I know it’s not easy, but I do want to be happy and contribute to manifesting a better reality. Rather than worry and waste energy, I will remind myself that I am alive, that I am a powerful being with infinite creative force, and that I am always able to find a solution by trusting life and being the best I can be. I choose Joy!”
The more you practise this, the easier it will be. Soon, you will start seeing the huge impact your new choice has on your wellbeing and on all those around you. When you choose Joy consistently, it shines through you and others start to notice your strength and positivity. Like smiling, like kindness, true Joy is contagious. It fills you from within and radiates around you.
By empowering yourself, you empower others to choose Joy over worry.
Gradually, Joy expands into a deep sense of trust in life, of serenity.
I hope that reading these lines has opened your mind and heart to the importance of choosing Joy.
By making Joy your priority you give yourself permission to be happy.
And you encourage everyone to do the same.
You help create a new paradigm of trust and serenity for humanity.
Ultimately, by choosing Joy we choose to trust Life. We choose to trust the universe. Rather than feeling at the mercy of events, we step into our power and co -create reality.
Imagine yourself living life Joyfully for the rest of your life and in eternity…
Imagine a new reality of Joy, communion, and celebration for humanity… Imagine all of us working together in solidarity to create a more equal and just society, to take loving care of our planet and to ensure that everyone is safe and happy.
It is possible to create this better world we all desire and deserve. In fact, I believe it is our calling, our collective duty.
I urge you to play your part in writing this new story for humanity.
Make Joy your priority.
Commit to choosing Joy constantly, unwaveringly.
Choose Joy today and every day – and watch your life transform.
Choose Joy.
It is the only way you can be happy – and the best way to help humanity.
Silvana A.