Find the Joy in Life

I think we often get so caught up in our everyday lives that we don’t take a second to enjoy life. Maybe you had a stressful week or maybe life just isn’t going your way at the moment. Regardless, it’s important to take a step back and see all the good in your life. Here are few suggestions on how to do that.

1. Go Outside

Today just happens to be an unseasonably warm February day here in Chicago. As I look outside while writing this, I realize that spending time outdoors might just help us regroup. There’s something about the sun being out that always seems to brighten my day. Go for a walk. Breathe in the warm air. Realize that regardless of where you are right now in life, regardless of how you feel, sunshine can be the ticket to happiness.

2. Enjoy Simplicity

Like the warm weather, there are so many simple things that occur in our everyday lives that we sometimes miss them or don’t pay attention to them. Stop for a second and just mentally observe all the simple life pleasures life has given you. Maybe it’s the fact that you have a car and get to and from places easily. Maybe it’s your family that will be coming over this weekend. Maybe it is a project that you can finally make time to complete.

3. Don’t Focus on the Negative

I don’t understand why, but we, as a society, tend to find the negative in our lives so much quicker than the positive. Finding the joy in life means looking for the positive. Now I realize that sometimes our life circumstances make it difficult to see the positive. In those cases, I always tell my patients that it won’t happen naturally. We have to force ourselves look for the positive. Put a sticky note on your computer or set an alarm on your phone. That way, you are notified when you need to find the positive.

My Take Away…..

It is so important to find the positive in life and I think we need to do it more often. Go outside and enjoy the day. Breathe in the warm air and be thankful for the sun. Look for the simple things in life. What is life offering you that you are missing? And finally, find positivity. Force yourself if you have to, but do it anyway.

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