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I’m trying something new. It’s called the Pure Joy Project. I created it. Will you join me?
I should stop right there. After all, it’s when I keep talking that I get myself in trouble!
I’ll admit it: I’m a cynical person. I could blame it on my (almost) 85 year old Jewish father who taught me to always question everything. I could blame it on growing up as an only child and having to always counter balance myself. Heck, I could just flat out blame it on always wanting to voice my opinion.
Whatever the case, I’ve recently felt my snappy personality could be detrimental. Sure, it leads to some witty comebacks every now and then, but more than that, I feel it:
1. Fosters a negative instead of a grateful heart
2. Sets a poor standard for my children
So I’m making a stand.
Here.
Now.
Will you join help me?
Much like a diet, I realize I’m a gung-ho person: I jump whole-heartedly into a project, but then quickly find ways to rationalize my way out of it.
But realizing that is half the battle, isn’t it?
So I’ve created the Pure Joy Project. Well, ‘create’ may be a bit strong. Let’s just say I’ve put a name to an idea God planted in my heart.
As I’ve been praying about this cynical dilemma I have, I realized that much of my cynicism comes from either feeling like I don’t deserve the trials I face or feeling like I’ve been treated unjustly. (I’m just being real here – I hope that’s ok). At the same time, I also became aware that I was constantly coaching my daughter to “see the positive” in every situation, though she tends to do the opposite.
That’s when it truly dawned on me: Joy is a choice. We don’t deserve it. It doesn’t just happen. We must strive for it…
Just look at James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. <emphasis added by myself>
It’s not natural to be joyful when staring adversity in the face, yet those are the instances we often look back and appreciate for making us who we are today.
So today, will you consider making a change choice with me?
I’d like to think we could make this change permanently, but for now, let’s just give it a week.
Start by catching yourself every time you think something negative and reframing it into something positive. Instead of telling your kids what NOT to do, be more clear in communicating your expectations of them up front. Before you gossip and chit chat about what the person in front of you at Starbucks is wearing, find a way to make them feel a little more special today.
Whatever your trigger is for you, confess it and ask for help! I want us to encourage each other – to become Lil’ Miss Sunshine – but to relax, focus on what’s important and let go of those nit-picky things that turn our backs into a ball of stress.
Think you can handle that?
Good. Here’s where to start:
1. Join me for a LIVE CHAT on Blog Frog tonight on how to “Give Back during the Holidays”.
2. Write a post on your own blog, Facebook page or even Twitter status sharing how you plan on putting the Pure Joy Project to work in your life this week. Share the direct link on the linky tool below; Make sure to use the hashtag #PureJoyProject so we can follow and encourage each other!
3. Leave a comment below with your #PureJoyProject pledge and let us know what one area of your life you’ll choose to turn into Pure Joy this week!
Really, I need this more than anyone, but I figured if I’m struggling with this, some of you may be as well….so we might as well help each other!
I can’t wait to hear from you…
