So often we want to reach a desired destination or achieve a specific outcome. We tell ourselves that when we have this or do that, we’ll be happy. When we worry about the future or get stuck in the past, we forget to live in the present. Life is happening right now. We can find joy in the little things—even when life is hard. It becomes especially important when we’re going through hard things or when we are waiting for what’s next.
Achieving a goal feels amazing. The sense of accomplishment is rewarding. But the process from our goal to the destination can be slow and painful. Life’s pressures can overwhelm us. We often wonder if we’ll reach our goals. Progress can be slow. It’s easy to get frustrated with how long things are taking. Thinking too much about the future or the past can lead to many problems in daily life.
Wherever you are today, I’d like to offer a reminder to you. If you aren’t exactly where you want to be, you’re on your way. We can get so caught up in where we’re going that we forget that life is happening right now all around us. And there’s a lot to see, experience, and be grateful for.
If you seek greater joy, deeper connections, or a balanced life, it’s possible. You need to take your time and make some adjustments. Discover how you can enjoy where you are now on the way to where you are going in this practical guide.
What is joy?
Joy is a feeling of contentment and happiness. Joy is deeper than happiness. Happiness can be fleeting. Joy lasts, even during tough times. As believers, joy is an ever-present feeling that is available to us by putting our trust in God. While you and I don’t know the road and everything on it ahead, God does. Trusting His timing and ways brings joy. This includes how He meets our daily needs and future desires.
Joy is a choice, though. Joy is a mindset of taking things one step at a time and choosing not to worry about the future. While anxiety and pressure aim to steal our joy, we can be at ease knowing God has all our concerns in His hands.
Joy goes beyond momentary pleasures. It’s a deep sense of contentment that what you and I have right now is more than enough. We are not lacking; instead, we are filled to the full with every good thing. Everything in life is how you see it.
Joy is not circumstantial–it’s not based on current circumstances. If you and I wait for our outer circumstances to be perfect to enjoy life, we’ll be waiting forever. You and I can find joy in everything. The simple things in life can cultivate joy everyday.
How To Cultivate Joy
Recently, I went on a cruise vacation. The ship began to sail away from the Miami cruise port as I sat on the balcony of my room. I felt the fresh air on my skin. The afternoon sun shone bright. As we slowly sailed, I was surprised to see crowds of people on the beach–for the middle of the week (it was only Wednesday!)
I watched people biking, sailing their boats and yachts, and many cars on the highway. Others were eating and drinking at restaurants. At that moment, I realized how tense I was from “doing it all.” In the past couple of months, I launched a book and built the foundation for my business. I deserved a break, but worries crept in. I wondered what would happen when I got home and what was ahead for me.
As I sat there for a few moments observing the scenery and being aware of my thoughts, I heard the Lord speak to my heart. He said, “Savor the moment.” I looked up the word savor, and it means to enjoy to the full, appreciate, and take pleasure in. In that moment, the Lord was teaching me something. I could enjoy the moment and allow myself to indulge in it, enjoying it to the fullest, or worry about the future.
Those words gave me peace in my heart, and I leaned into the moment with ease. I felt like I had permission to enjoy the moment. I realized something in this experience: there is no perfect time to enjoy life. Life is happening right now, and you don’t have to wait to get to a specific destination in life to enjoy the present.
To find joy, pay attention to the little things. It could be a day off, a tasty meal, or enjoying time with a loved one. This way, you can appreciate where you are now as you move toward your goals.
Having the Right Perspective Is Key to Cultivating Joy
A few days later, while I was still on vacation, the Lord spoke to my heart again. He said, “Everything in life is what you make it.” In saying this, I knew he was talking about having the right perspective. We can often see things one-sided, or how we choose to see them. But nothing in life is black and white. Having the right perspective is key to cultivating joy. You and I can’t control everything in life. But we can control how we see every situation and react to it. Letting go of what we can’t control is key. It helps us trust God in every situation. This trust brings greater peace and joy.
Let go of what you can’t change and focus on what you can change.
This could mean letting go of past regrets or future worries and focusing on the present. If everything in life is what we make it, I want to make everything in life worth experiencing. And we can only do that if we have the right perspective. Choosing to see what we experience in a positive, productive way. By changing our perspective, we cultivate joy.
There is a season for everything.
As believers, we find peace knowing our times are in God’s hands. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Our times are locked in specific seasons and appointed times in our lives. We learn and grow at every stage of life. This prepares us for different purposes and seasons ahead. Enjoying the moment, even during tough times, is a skill we can learn. This helps us appreciate every season of life.
When we see that God’s plan is better than ours, we can relax and enjoy life more. Trusting He has already worked it out for us unloads the burden we carry of us trying to figure it all out on our own.
12 Ways to Find Joy in Life
1. Live in the present moment.
Stay present and live in the present moment. I use Dwell, an app where you can listen to God’s Word and meditate. Apart from being a great app to listen to the Word, it offers great faith-centered meditations. I use it whenever I want to meditate or when I need to re-center myself throughout the day. It offers amazing Christian meditations and breath prayers. Use it when you need to relax and find calm.
Being able to enjoy the present moment is all about being self-aware. Watch out for habits that pull you away from the present. This includes using your phone too much or letting negative thoughts drift in.
2. Clean up and get organized. 🧹
Clearing clutter from your space quickly boosts your mood. Cleaning your space boosts mental clarity and helps you get organized. Studies have shown that living in a messy and cluttered space can raise your anxiety. It can also affect your sleep and focus. Cleaning and organizing your space can boost your mood, actions, and relationships. Cleaning up and getting organized can elevate your mood.
3. Practice self-care. 🧘♀️
Pay attention to what you need and give your body what it’s asking for. Self-care can be taking care of your outer appearance, but it goes beyond that. Take the time to take care of yourself: your mind, body, and soul. This can involve mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical activities. Make time for yourself. Only you know what you need.
Understanding how your body feels when stressed can help you manage it better. For example, when I’m stressed, my body gets tense and my muscles feel tight. I like stretching and doing yoga to relieve stress. I also enjoy biblical meditation and breathwork with this app.
There is no one size fits all for self care—our bodies are all different and we all have unique preferences. Listen to your body and take care of what you need.
4. Get outside in nature. 🌿
Spend time in nature. Nature has a way of realigning and grounding us. It brings us close to God and widens our perspective. Nature can make you feel calmer, relaxed, and refreshed. Try taking a walk outside or taking a weekend trip to explore a new place.
5. Set small goals. 📝
Setting goals can boost clarity and confidence and help get you organized. Set small, achievable goals at first so they’re manageable and don’t add stress. Make your goals achievable and specific. Try setting 3-5 goals at a time. Be specific about when you will achieve this goal—don’t forget to add a due date for your goals.
6. Take a break.
Take a break throughout the day to rest and regroup—and do it often. Resting is not a suggestion; it’s mandatory. I find myself resting as often as possible every day because our bodies need it! I’ve realized that I can only do what I can, and I have to leave the rest to God.
7. Give yourself an entire day of rest every week. 🛌
Dedicate yourself to an entire day of rest once per week. Choose one day you can spend the whole day resting and recovering. And don’t engage in any work at all on that day. If you think you can’t spend one day to rest every week, think again.
As believers, we are mandated to rest one day every week. God told us to work six days, but on the seventh is a day of rest. This is not a suggestion—it’s mandatory. Modern day tells us that if we’re busy 24/7, we’re being productive. But God says if we take the time to rest and recover, we’ll get there faster. God invites us to rest. When we rest, we can act from a place of fullness, not depletion, for the rest of the week.
8. Invest in yourself. 💸
Engage in activities that help you grow and develop your skills. You can learn a new skill by watching online classes. You might also start a hobby, hire a coach, or join a supportive group. These options can help you grow and challenge yourself. Books are always great resources to learn new things.
Doing something new, different, or challenging is great for your brain. By engaging in new activities, you create new neural pathways in your brain. This helps the brain form new connections. Doing this helps you learn new things and gain new experiences.
9. Stay active. 🚶♀️
Engage in physical activity on a regular basis. This can include walking, running, dancing, or stretching. Embrace movement. Stretching is a great way to move your body and improve flexibility.
10. Eat a nutritious diet. 🥗
Get plenty of whole grains, fruits, and veggies in your diet. Include fermented foods like kimchi and kombucha to improve gut health. Your brain and stomach work together. Eat a balanced diet to help both your body and brain perform at their best.
Finding joy inn life right now: FAQs
How can I find joy right now?
Focus on the positive. Having a positive attitude and the right perspective can have a positive effect on your mood. Shift your mindset by breaking negative thoughts, such as anxiety and worry. While life can have its ups and downs, focus on what you can control and let go of what you can’t control.
How can I find joy while I’m alone?
You can enjoy nature, meditate, read, or write by yourself. These activities are great for relaxation. In fact, spending time alone is essential to healing, restoration, and fulfillment. Spending time alone helps you understand yourself. It reveals your purpose in life and shows you where you want to go. Skip scrolling on social media. Take the time to focus on yourself. Learning to value your own company cultivates healthy self esteem.
How can I enjoy life everyday?
Savor the good things in life. Be intentional about paying attention to what you usually take for granted. Be grateful for what’s in your life right now. Look for the good things. Having the right perspective is key to enjoying life every day. There is always something to be grateful for. You have to be intentional about paying attention to the good.
How can I enjoy life at home?
Start doing something you love at home. If you love cooking, try making a new dish. If you enjoy cocktails, try a recipe for a new cocktail. Make your home a sanctuary. Research shows that we spend roughly sixty percent of our time in our homes. Since we spend so much time there, make it a place you love to be! Get rid of clutter, clean up, and refresh your space.
Conclusion
To conclude, making simple adjustments in our lives can help benefit us. You can enjoy life today by choosing to focus on the good in your life. So often we take things for granted. No matter where you are in life, you can begin to develop joy. You can develop the skill of joy as you use it. The saying is true: “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” Having the right perspective can make a great impact on our mental health and happiness. You can enjoy time alone by spending time outdoors, reading, or journaling. Make your home a sanctuary because we spend sixty percent of our time there.
Related Article: How To Apply Biblical Wisdom To Everyday Life
