Image courtesy: Andreas Ortner
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases…but your zeal and passion for the things you once loved may have. Sound familiar?
I know; it’s almost a little unconventional to make such a statement at the beginning of a seasonal refresh, but I know I’m quite possibly speaking the thoughts of the few who dare not go against the grain of optimism that a new year ordinarily brings.
This year hits differently though, I want you to know that. We seem to be slowly making some headway after what was probably the most puzzling and debilitating year of many people’s lives – yes, including Christians – but we’ve made it, in and through Christ.
You’re officially knee-deep into a new 365, and the pleasantries you exchanged on the 31st of December last year are very likely to continue well into February. I’m so [not] sorry. You want to be free enough to utter your inhibitions, or to discuss the great sense of fear and unease you’re feeling but it just feels so much safer to repost the trending quotes and themes that your peers are splashing across IG, doesn’t it?
So how then, do you keep the ‘happy’ in happy new year, I hear you ask? Well, the answer is that you don’t. That wasn’t a typo either, darling. But I can recommend a solution for you; instead of happiness, choose joy.
So many people ask whether there’s even a difference between the two, and the answer is a swift and hearty yes, that can only be differentiated in the heart once it’s been felt, personally. Whew. That was good.
In the past, we’ve all made resolutions, saved pins and posts to the hairstyles, holidays and personal style upgrades we’ve had in mind for the previous eleven months, all in a bid to see those ‘changes’ being made, and for those weighty habits to finally start shedding. While many of these actions seek for a change in feelings…joy ushers in a change in our lifestyle.
Happiness? Circumstantial. Joy? Indelible.
Check out my three top tips on how to proactively lean into joy, today:
1) Identify the little things – emphasis is on the word little here, because those mighty [little] things are likely to be the ones that other people would deem miniscule – and we all know what God thinks about ‘little things’ don’t we?
When I think of Matthew 17:20, I’m encouraged that the mustard seed being small yet considered by God is both a powerful and intentional thing – let alone, what this scripture says about its ability to succeed. Don’t underestimate the little things – there’s so much joy available in those, even if the joy isn’t evident immediately.
2) Work the weight of the wait – and embrace the journey to shedding it all. I know, this one’s tough – and the least favourite to be embraced by any and every new year entrant…but it’s worth it. I can’t place the number of times the weight of the beginning has been a dreaded place to start, but similar to the satisfaction of consistency in the gym, that aftermath…feels so far from the circumstantial happiness we limit ourselves to.
Shed it, feel it and live (in) it – joy.
3) Sow…back into yourself – contrary to popular belief, there is absolutely nothing selfish about ensuring that you start (particularly at the start of a new year) with you – all of you. My Grandma once said to me, “you’ll never miss the water until the well runs dry.” I really do believe that having a taste of something as simple yet as profound as joy for yourself first, causes you to be so committed to keeping hold of it.
Choose joy.
K-G x
