A “Choose Joy” Manifesto

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Lately, my inside world has seemed just as chaotic as the world outside my window. If I’m not intentional about choosing joy, I can get bogged down pretty quickly. I’m naturally melancholy, so when I feel something, I go all in. Sad day? Cue the sad music or movie. Happy news? Dance around like a mad woman until the tiny humans say, “Mom! Don’t dance!” I think that when God talks about choosing life in Deuteronomy 30:19, He’s covering a wide variety of daily choices. Many things in our life, we DO choose, especially our emotions. So, today I wanted to take a break from my traditional recipe and homemaking posts to give you a manifesto for choosing joy:

  Today, I choose joy.

I choose the peace of Christ over the worry of the world. I choose to look up and align my thoughts with eternity, rather than the temporary destruction I see outside my window.

I choose to spend time outdoors, savoring the sunshine and simply being. I choose to not rush my littles but to wander around the world at their speed, if only for a moment or two.

I choose stories and songs over lament and made-up scenarios. I choose healthy foods that will bring life to my body. I choose a soft tone over a snap, a kind word over a criticism. I choose to drink the coffee and wake up, ready to greet the day. I choose to happen to my day.

I choose to take even a few minutes for me. To read, to write, to paint, to dance, to cook. Anything that makes my heart sing, I will spend at least a few minutes doing today.

I choose to count my blessings instead of my woes. I choose to see how blessed I am and use my resources to bless at least one person. I will care, regardless of whether I could get burnt doing so.

I will love to the hilt today. I will choose love in my actions, in my words and in my thoughts. I may not be able to change the world, but I can change my world and in turn, start a revolution.

I’ll spend time with God today. I’ll fill my mind with His truth and let that truth impact the way I see myself. When my perspective changes, my life will change.

I choose to be an overcomer. I choose victory.

Today, I choose joy.