I remember reading Pollyanna as a child and playing the Glad Game and being interested, but not really knowing how to live like that.
It’s taken me a lifetime to change the way I see the world. My natural temperament is fairly even. I have a wait and see approach. I’m slow to react and respond. I tend to be neither really up nor really down. The intense spectrum of emotions don’t really affect me that much.
A few times in my life I’ve felt intense joy and like CS Lewis, have been surprised by it.
I think I innately distrust wild swings of emotion, and whilst I feel emotions around love, protection, justice and nature, most of the time I’d say I’m fairly even with infrequent spikes of intense emotion.
Learning to live a life of gratitude has taught me to have more joy in my life. To be thankful and noticing the ‘glad’ moments in life has made life sweeter. Diving this week and seeing turtles, dolphins, fish and beautiful colours in the coral has given me great joy. Joy beyond pleasure. A joy that will sustain me for a long time.
In recent times, a couple of inspirational people and sites have helped me on this joy-seeking journey. My friend Anusha Atukorala has a blog titled Dancing in the Rain where she writes about everyday events and how she looks for the silver lining in each event. When you talk to Anusha her positivity and joy shines, despite the many challenges she has in her life.
Another one is the The Letters of Gratitude. Jacq and Rob Pollock sold everything and travelled the world looking for a new approach to life. Their book, website and Facebook page are all encouragements to be grateful and to look at life as a blessing, rather than just hard work.
Learning to live with gratitude has meant my life has a higher level of joy. I’m more thankful and notice the special moments in my day with more intentionality. Life becomes sweeter and more like an adventure when I live like this.
I watched a documentary the other day Making Australia Happy and apparently scientists have made significant progress towards understanding the concept of happiness. They’ve discovered it’s a skill anyone can cultivate.
50% of happiness is genetics, 10% is circumstances and 40% is choice.
Choosing to see the good, the blessings and the joy do make a difference. Practicing this as a way of life just might change your destiny.
