Category Archives: Choosing Joy

Posts about finding, recognizing and creating Joy every day.

A New Year, a new way

Posted on 02/01/2012 | 10 Comments

So, as many of us prepare our New Year’s Resolutions (and I was right on board as I am every year, glutton for punishment that I am), I serendipitously found myself reading a blog post from 2008.

 

 

 

 

A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to win a copy of Gretchen Rubin’s best selling book, The Happiness Project, in which she documents her year-long adventures in trying out different ways to find happiness.

And so fast forward to yesterday when I stumbled on a blog post she wrote that is a twist on our normal resolutions. And since I wanted to forge a new new NEW path this year, I decided I would start with her idea for Twelve Commandments – read her post, and see if you are as inspired as I was…

My Twelve Commandments

  1. Be Anjanette
  2. Relax & breathe
  3. Find the fun
  4. Be grateful
  5. Live & love with my whole heart
  6. Recognise opportunity
  7. Live in the now
  8. Accept love
  9. Let go of guilt & obligation
  10. Be kind, first to myself
  11. Under-think, not over-think
  12. Go with my gut

Rather than set myself up for failure with, let’s face it, impossibly huge tasks  like “Eat clean” and “Exercise every day”, I wanted to put something down that would speak more to me as a person. I wanted something that I could take to remind myself each day to truly live authentically. This hit the spot…

I’ll be working through the book, on this and other projects that take my fancy throughout the year…care to join me?

 

 

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In the complete tornado of emotion and change that is the breakdown of a marriage you can be struck by the overwhelming bits of reality as well. Only a few months ago, life seemed incredibly sedate. And it was. Then … Continue reading →

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Posted on 14/06/2011

Another year gone by and still Choosing Joy

Posted on 21/04/2011 | 17 Comments

I woke up this morning thrilled; It’s my birthday!

But then all of the stresses of my current situation (another blog post coming soon) swept over me as well.  I realised that THIS was decision time – I could start the day dragged down by all of the things that don’t seem to be going right OR, perhaps, I could Choose Joy.

For me, Choosing Joy isn’t about ignoring the less-than-pleasing (or even downright horrible) things that an crop up for us all, it’s about making a conscious choice to find the best possible bits about every situation.  Even throughout the day, I remind myself that I have the control when it comes to how I deal with the things that come my way.

So on this day of celebration I am doing this: going out to brekky with my boys near the beach, taking them to see a fun animated film, making sure I stop to indulge in any treats that take my fancy and choose my favourite dinner tonight for a small party with my family, especially excited about opening the cards my littlies made for me with their own hands.

Tomorrow morning, as I wake up another day older, I’ll have the same choice: take what I’ve been dealt and let myself be filled with regret and anger OR

Realise that the gift I can give myself everyday is one of seeing the all the good that surrounds me, and all the good I can do for others.   Feel the pain, experience the sorrow, anger or melancholy, but know that you don’t have to stay there…you can still Choose Joy!!

It IS a happy birthday!!

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