The spirit of negativity. Sometimes it is hard to CHOOSE JOY

Choose joy. 

Search for that image on Google and you will find thousands of examples. From artwork to coffee mugs to tattoos.

Choose joy. 

Choose.

It is a choice, right? Sometimes choosing isn't easy. Sometimes making a choice against what we are truly feeling can be an inward struggle. A battle.

But.

It's the right thing to do. 

Not because it makes the world a better place. 

Not because everyone around you will be happier. 

Not because it's easy.

But.

When we choose joy, we make the decision to look beyond our circumstances, beyond the anger, beyond the disappointment and be grateful. 

To find the thanksgiving. To find the blessings.

Choose.

Problem is? I don't want to. Not really. Not when you ask me what I truly feel like.

That spirit of negativity is welling deep within my soul. Anger. Disappointment. Hurt.

Truthfully. That negativity affects me...first. Then it will permeate all those around me.


From my devotional this morning…God is quite timely sometimes :) …

I shower blessings on you daily, but sometimes you don’t perceive them. When your mind is stuck on a negative focus, you see neither Me nor My gifts. In faith, thank Me for whatever is preoccupying your mind. This will clear the blockage so that you can find Me. - Jesus Calling -

People are people. They will disappoint. Even the ones you have looked up to. Even the ones that should know better. But I have to realize I'm not responsible for them…I'm responsible for ME. For MY response. For MY reaction. For MY choice.

If I don't choose to love…to forgive…to be thankful…to find joy...I miss the everyday blessings. Instead the knots of negativity and anger fill my soul until there is no room for anything else. I suffer.

Besides. How many times have I been the cause of some hurt...disappointment....anger? More than I care to admit. How often have I hurt the ones I love? Too many occurrences. And I should know better. I do know better. I'm sorry.

My encouragement? Whatever it is. Whomever it is. Wad all that negativity up into a tight neatly packed little ball, then hurl it with all your might. As it propels through space, offer words of thanksgiving for whatever it is. Then watch. Watch as that nasty ball develops wings and flies away. Watch as you have freed your spirit to find peace, and happiness, and JOY.

by stephaniecorfee on Etsy

Then go smoosh a puppy. I find that is excellent therapy as well!

Here is to YOU today. YOU are beautiful. YOU shine. 

Your joy is radiating and contagious. And nothing or no one can take that from you.

If you happen to see nasty wadded up balls of negativity flying through space today, those will be mine. I'll be watching them take flight. Shoot…I'll be creating a flock hurling through space. But it will be beautiful. And my soul will be free…full of joy.

xoooxoxoxo

lisa