Help us stay free, Link back to us! General Information - Bookmark this page

7 Keys for Joyful Living!

Here are some thoughts for finding and experiencing joy in your life. If there were one thing I could wish upon my family, friends and the readers of this Ezine, it would be joy in everything they do!

Know your purpose. Nothing will bring you joy more than knowing what it is that you are about on this earth. Not knowing brings sadness, wondering, fear and lack of fulfillment. Above all, find out what your unique purpose is here on this earth - then fulfill it! As you do, you will experience joy!

Live purposefully. This is a follow up to number one. It is one thing to know your purpose, but then you need to live according to that purpose. This is a matter of priorities. Let your actions and schedule reflect your purpose. Don't react to circumstances and let them cause you to live without your purpose fully in site. Living without your purpose will cause frustration. Living purposefully will bring you deep satisfaction and joy!

Stretch yourself. Don't settle into the status quo. That will leave you unfulfilled. Always look to stretch yourself. Whatever you are doing, stretch yourself to do more! Stretching yourself will break the limits you have set for yourself and will cause you to find joy in your expanded horizons!

Give more than you take. It brings happiness to accumulate. It brings joy to give away. Sure, getting the car you worked hard for will bring you a sense of satisfaction and even happiness. But it won't bring you joy. Giving something away to the less fortunate will bring you deep, abiding joy.

Surprise yourself, and others too. The words here are spontaneity and surprise! Every once in a while, do the unexpected. It will cause everybody to sit back and say, "Wow, where did that come from?" It will put a little joy in your life, and theirs.

Indulge yourself sometimes. To much indulgence and you are caught in the happiness trap. Looking for the next purchase, celebration etc to bring you a little "happiness high." But if you will allow yourself an infrequent indulgence as a reward for a job well done and a life well lived, you will appreciate the indulgence and experience the joy of it.

Laugh a little - no, a lot! Most people are just too serious. We need to laugh a little - no, a lot! Learn to laugh daily, even if you have to learn to laugh in bad situations. This life is to be enjoyed! The next time you go to the movie rental store, get a comedy and let loose! Let yourself laugh!

Joy can be yours! Look for it, pursue it and enjoy it!

About The Author:

Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.

To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://Chris-Widener.InspiresYOU.com/ or call 800-929-0434.

In The News:


Sweet Treats From Sweet Muse Make Perfect Gifts That Delight and ...
MarketWatch - 14 hours ago
Packaged with each brownie is an inspirational message or special quote, which makes each treat incredibly special. Messages can be selected from existing ...

Reader's Digest Honors Inspirational Teacher
PR Web (press release), WA - 20 hours ago
Salome Thomas-EL, an award-winning teacher and principal in Philadelphia, PA, was among nineteen "American Icons" honored for their wisdom, ...

Cascade producer releases second inspirational DVD edition
Great Falls Tribune, MT - 16 hours ago
By JO DEE BLACK • Tribune Business Editor • December 2, 2008 CASCADE — Cheryl Andersen's first attempt at commercializing her husband's photography hobby ...

Inspirational journalist bows out
The Australian, Australia - 14 hours ago
Macswan, a former war correspondent, foreign correspondent and associate editor of the national news agency Australian Associated Press, died in Sydney ...

Teen's inspirational story hits home
MayoClinic.com - Dec 1, 2008
I was preceded in the program by a 17-year-old woman who was inspirational as she shared her story with the audience. At age 13, she was an athletic, ...

Have an inspirational story? We're all ears
Orlando Sentinel, FL - Dec 1, 2008
Do you have an interesting story to tell about your journey to a more active lifestyle? It can be a story about your significant weight loss, your training ...

Michael Phelps is SI’s Sportsman of the Year
Just Jared, NY - 3 hours ago
... championing the cause of water safety Phelps could save many lives, and the trajectory of others will be changed merely by his inspirational example. ...

Times Online

Inspirational Ronaldo wins global award
Daily Nation, Kenya - 10 hours ago
By REUTERSPosted Tuesday, December 2 2008 at 18:36 Manchester United and Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Ballon d’Or on Tuesday after ...
Why the Ballon D'or is Stupid and Quite Possibly Evil Buzzle
all 827 news articles

Rice, Powell express pride in Obama win
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA - Nov 6, 2008
A child of the segregated South who became the highest-ranking African American woman ever in the US government, Rice called Obama "inspirational" and said ...
Video: Rice Congratulates Obama on Victory AssociatedPress
There is African blood in his veins The Times
Rice calls Obama "inspirational", promises smooth transition Hindustan Times
African Press Agency - The Australianall 321 news articles

DevilsDigest.com

Nick Reed Tabbed as Ducks' Most Outstanding Player
GoDucks.com, OR - Nov 30, 2008
The Ducks’ Most Outstanding and Most Inspirational honors are voted on by the Oregon players. Oregon improved its record to 9-3, concluding its regular ...
Duck Awards Banquet The Oregonian - OregonLive.com
all 8 news articles
inspirational - Google News

Heavy Weather Guide

Direct Answers - Column for the week of April 26, 2004My girlfriend and I are basically the same age, just a six month difference. When I went to buy the engagement ring in... Read More

On Stand-by

Direct Answers - Column for the week of April 28, 2003My wife of 35 years has fallen in love again with her old college boyfriend. I am 61, and she is 58. We... Read More

The Fighting Father

This man is an Anglican priest but with a difference. You would not want to offend him put it that way. His online ministry helps to serve the community of street youth homeless/drug-addicted/criminal... Read More

Anamcara - The Blessing of Peace

"Come out of the circle of time and into the circle of love."Jelaluddin Rumi. Mystic PoetIn Corrogue there is synchronicity ? "meaningful co-incidence."I am reminded of this fact in an email I... Read More

Withstand the Test of Time

As I drove home from work late one wintry afternoon, chilled from the freezing temperatures, I noticed the beautiful trees aligned on both sides of the road. Amongst the evergreens and the pine... Read More

Ever Wondered Why Everyone Else is Moving On, Except You?

"I attend courses, read books, listen to CD's, yet I am still not living the life I want to and am unhappy with the life I have. How can I have the life... Read More

The Author Within You!

I always had an active imagination when I was young. I hated school, and would pass the time away day- dreaming about things I should not even have known about at such a... Read More

Taking Life Head On

"We are built to conquer environment, solve problems, achieve goals and we find no real satisfaction or happiness in life without obstacles to conquer and goals to achieve." - Maxwell Maltz in Psycho-Cybernetics... Read More

Good-Bye Yesterday, Hello Today

Many of us are unable to move forward with our lives because we refuse to let go of what no longer exist: YESTERDAY. The portal to yesterday is permanently closed; gone out of... Read More

Life Lessons I Learned from My Cat

Even if you are not a cat person, bear with me, as this story goes far beyond cat mania. Our little tabby cat was frightened and highly-sensitive from the day we rescued her... Read More

I Dare You To Be Successful

Just imagine how it would feel to be successful...., to have sufficient money finding its way into your bank account on a monthly basis, to have absolutely no sleepless nights about income and... Read More

Case Closed

Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 27, 2003I met my boyfriend on an online dating service four months ago. About a month ago I went to the dating service website... Read More

Life is a Mystery...or is it?

Being the last of three daughters, I was a suprise to my parents who were being very cautious about not having any more children. At the age of 30 my mother found out... Read More

What Life is All About?

When we look at lives in any places in this world, we may come to the similar red line. Those lives consist of phases that take living creature from a step to a... Read More

And How Do We Feel This Morning?

Without question, going to the hospital is teamwork from the time you arrive until you are wheeled out the front door. Everyone is working together for the common good of the patient, or... Read More

How You Can Change Your Destiny

The outer conditions of a person's life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state. ~James Allen, As A Man ThinkethThe world you live in arises from the world... Read More

Just Think of Kyle!

This morning at 5:22am to 6am, I was overwhelmed. Overwhelmed is an understatement considering I am still crying and it's like 7:15am. I am at work typing away.Kyle Maynard is what overwhelmed me.Kyle... Read More

Make Life Work: Repair the Relationship with Yourself

What areas of your life are working well? Career? Finances?Relationships? Health?When life works you enjoy fulfillment, happiness, and a sense of well being. "I know how to do this thing called life, and... Read More

Teachers Pet

Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 20, 2003I am 32 and a mom with two children. I've pretty much been single for two years. My problem is I found myself... Read More

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Whoever coined this phrase is a genius. Life finds ways to dish out exactly this- the good the bad and the ugly. At times all in one day.Optimists tend to see the good,... Read More

Favorite Quotations... What Do They Say About Us?

Have you stopped to think what your favorite quotes are saying about you and your life experiences?How you relate to them? How they relate to you?Today... I decided to take one of my... Read More

The Theft of Fire

"Igne Natura Renovatur Integra" (By fire is nature renewed whole.) ?Alchemical maxim"The whole idea [of the hero's journey] is that you've got to bring out again that which you went to recover, the... Read More

Afraid of The Light?

Plato once said, "It is easy to forgive a small child afraid of the dark, but not a full-grown man afraid of the light." Since long before Plato light has symbolized truth--facing the... Read More

Look To Trees To Help You Keep Balanced And Focused While Achieving Your Dreams

Do you remember looking up through the branches of a beautiful, leafy tree, on a warm sunny day? How the sunlight filtering through the lush greeness, seemed to take on an almost magical... Read More

Seven Things You Must Give to Others if You Want to Achieve Success!

A major part of the process of achieving success and living the kind of life that you dream of is to give. Many people think that to get what you want you have... Read More

No Problem!

Thanks to Walt Disney's "The Lion King", children the world over know the Swahili expression "Hakuna Matata". It means "No Problem" and we grown-ups should use it more often.I used to come home... Read More

What Is Your Real Worth?

Consider this. If it is possible to quote you as a person on the Stock Exchange, what would be your real worth?Have you ever, in your wildest imagination thought that one day, it... Read More

Charge Your Imagination (3)

As we progress into the year, it is necessary for professionals to really put their Imagination to work as they plot strategies for business excellence this year. To help them do a good... Read More

Delay Can Reveal Doubts

Confident Expectation! The feeling of 'confidence' is the assurance that your desire IS on its way. And getting to that place where we have no doubt is one reason why there is often... Read More

GOOGLE AD