Fight for Your Happy
Put ’em up!
Some days, I feel like I am going 12 rounds with a big bully named the Gloomster.
Smack! He unmercifully jabs at my heart and seeks to demolish my passion and purpose.
Thump! My oppressor taunts me with verbal blows. You can’t win this fight. Defeat is certain. I’m going to leave you slumped on the floor and gasping for breath.
Some days, I am weary of the fight. But then I remember that I am not fighting alone. I look up and catch a glimpse of a great cloud of witnesses cheering me on and saying, “Keep your dukes up, girly.” I stop listening to the bully and I hear the gentle voice of my Champion encouraging me to stay in the ring and keep fighting the good fight.
The power within me is so much stronger than the forces against me. I just need to fight smart.
I need to fight for my happy. Just like David knocked down a giant with 5 little stones, I can sling my faith forward by using simple tools to win the war.
5 Ways to Fight for Your Happy
- Look for the beauty in your day: Take a few minutes each day to pause and remember how God has blessed your life. Count your blessings and name them one by one. Some days you need to make your own sunshine.
- Listen to your heartbeat: How’s your heart? God created you with special bents and gifts. Happy looks different for each of us. Take the Happiness Style Assessment to discover what makes you tick. You might enjoy exploring a museum, reading a book, chatting with friends over coffee, baking treats for your neighbors, or weeding the garden. Sometimes, we focus our energy on activities that don’t fill up our tank. This assessment will help you understand how to invest your time in the right things.
- Put fun on your to-do list: Throw a kitchen dance party. Use your hairbrush as a microphone and belt out some karaoke in your living room. Spend at least 15 minutes doing something completely silly today. You will feel better.
- Make room for rest: It’s okay to take it easy sometimes. The Lord Himself has given you permission to take a day off and just breathe. He didn’t include that in the Bible as an after thought. If you choose rest, you will be renewed and find your happy again.
- Feed your soul with words that heal: Read your favorite psalm and slowly meditate on each phrase. Dust off your favorite children’s book and do a read-aloud. Spend a few minutes lingering over an entry in your favorite devotional. Sign up for Jennifer Dukes Lee’s Happiness Dare Challenge and get a little happy in your inbox for 10 days.
Beat your enemy to the punch and stand strong and happy in the power of God’s might.
Something to think about…
Such a good list! With everything I’ve been reading, it’s also made me think about happiness is also about what we focus on, think about – do we choose to define our day by the challenges or by the blessings God weaves through it, blessings as sweet and simple as a flock of geese! Thank you for being such an encourager. Shalom, Lyli!
~Maryleigh
I agree, Maryleigh. And just to shout Amen to this concept, I saw a butterfly outside the office this morning. Spent 10 minutes trying to get a good picture of it on my iphone and chasing it up and down the garden area along the sidewalk….. and then I visited your blog this afternoon and read your lovely poem about what else but a butterfly. Don’t you love our God’s attention to the details?
Thanks, Lyli. Boy, do I need this post today, girl! We’re going through a bit of a rough spot, and I find myself needing more downtime, so you’re reminding me that rest is a good thing. And gratitude? It’s such a daylifter! 🙂 Thanks. I was sorry not to join this launch, but I had too much going on this summer. The message resonates with me because joy is one of my themes.
Hugs and prayers, friend. I missed Jennifer’s last book launch because I was going through a rough chasm of pain, but this time, I decided to jump in despite the crazy, and I am glad I did.
So enjoying Jennifer’s book. You are being a loyal and creative member of the launch!
Aw, thanks, Michelle! I think the timing of this book is perfect. We need a little happy right now with so much political noise and violence in the news.
Even the cover of Jennifer’s book makes me smile! 🙂 I love your list, Lyli. Until this summer I wouldn’t have realized that rest is a part of that happiness equation, but it is. It is a necessary component to our ability to function in that space where He works through us and we walk in our calling fully. Of course, a dance party in the kitchen is totally awesome, too! 😉
Blessings Lyli!
Dawn
Keep dancing, friend. 🙂
Great list! #3 is definitely one that requires intentionality on my part. It’s too easy to run with the serious and leave the happy behind.
Thanks Lyli for he review. Gotta get the book.
Thanks for the link-up.
It’s a great book, Debbie. Helped me understand how Bruce & I are uniquely different. He is a Doer, & I am a Relater. He finds joy in doing yard work (which makes me want to cry). I will now stop fussing at him to rest from work. He likes to stay busy. It’s his happy place.
I just finished The Happiness Dare too. I really appreciated the breakdown of types! My kind of fun may look different than other people’s fun, but that’s okay. We each have to work with how God made us. 🙂 Thanks, Lyli!
Loved your post on the book, Lisa. Read it this morning on Feedly.
This is such a timely and much needed message for me. Thank you for sharing. I have heard so many good things about Jennifer’s new book and it is definitely going on my list to check out.
Lyli,
Thanks for being such an encouraging sister in Christ! I’m glad Jennifer’s book is ministering to you. It sounds like it is chock full of wisdom 🙂 Sorry I’ve been scarce lately as I’m trying to finish my writing ….Praying God continues to lift your heart and gaze toward him 🙂