My aunt Carol says that it must be hard for some people who always live in a pissed off world. How true. As someone who spent some time in a pretty pissed off world for a while, I can attest that it is indeed difficult and miserable. And it’s not just miserable for the person living in that pissed off world — it permeates into those around you to the point that others simply don’t enjoy being around you because you just radiate that hostility.

Instead, choose joy. Yes, CHOOSE.

Choosing joy in your life is going to benefit you greatly — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Joy is not exhausting or taxing. Joy doesn’t give you headaches or upset stomachs. Joy doesn’t leave you feeling like you just want to curl up in a ball or lash out at others or just complain, whine, and cry. Joy buoys you up and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. Joy gives you energy. Joy allows you to see obstacles as challenges. Joy relieves pain.

How can you choose joy? Here are some ideas.

• Keep a gratitude journal. Every day, think of 3 things you’re grateful for and write them down. Even if it’s something simple, like my coffee stayed hot all morning or I only hit 2 red lights on the way to work, by focusing on the things that were good for you that day, you start seeing the good more often than the bad.
• Reframe your thoughts. When you feel yourself start to get negative, tell yourself NO! I am going to change the way I am thinking! For example, if you get on the scale and discover you’ve gained a few pounds that you don’t want, instead of saying how fat and ugly and awful you are, say that you’ll use this as an opportunity to try a new recipe you found.
• Change your words. Sometimes, we get caught up in “I have to” but if we can change to “I get to” it makes a difference! Instead of, “I have to skip lunch with my friends because I have to do all this laundry,” try saying, “I get to get caught up on laundry so I can have my night free to sit in the patio and have a glass of wine.” See chores as opportunities and state them that way!
• Make a conscious decision to see the world through rose-colored glasses. Even if for a short amount of time. Tell yourself, “For the next hour, I am going to look for the good and the positive in all the people I interact with and all the situations I am in.” So when you’re stuck in a really boring work meeting that could have been an email, you can start to think things like, “Well, this meeting is really unnecessary, but at least someone brought treats! Janice is usually so crabby all the time, but today, she’s actually got a smile on her face. Tom’s idea isn’t a great one, but at least he contributed to the meeting this time.” Looking for the good can really help when you’re in a lousy situation.
• Find a stress reliever. If you get negative because of stress, create a list of things you can do to relieve the stress. Read a book, take a nap, go for a walk, brush your dog, listen to music, paint your nails, put on comfy clothes, say a prayer, watch a video that always makes you laugh, look through pictures on your phone.

Hopefully, this post gave you some inspiration to find and embrace joy in your life.