Joy is a shared experience. It is the delightful feeling that comes from knowing that someone is glad to see me. It means, "I'm glad to be alive because somebody is glad that I am alive. Somebody knows me and loves me right now, and it is a delight to be together." The joy goes back and forth between receiver and giver. Joy begins when someone is glad to see me, which stirs up a bit of joy in me. Then my joy is returned to the giver, and the giver's joy is increased as well. The experience goes back and forth, and grows stronger between both people.
Joy also comes from being in the presence of God, who knows everything about me, and is "as glad as glad can get" that I am alive! His delight in me gives me joy. Joy is also a shared experience with God, as His joy comes alive in me and I return it to Him.
Building joy includes getting closer to people and getting closer to God. While it is a very authentic process that cannot be fabricated, here are some "joy-building" ideas to first practice with our families and then extend to the community.
1. Smile whenever you greet those you love, and use sincere voice tones.
2. Ask questions that invite others to tell truthfully how they are doing, and what they are thinking. Listen intently without interrupting.
3. Take a sincere interest in really knowing the other person. Work hard to understand the other's fears, joys, passions, talents and pain.
4. treat each other with dignity and respect. When ending a discussion, try to make both people feel affirmed.
5.Use touch whenever appropriate; Hold hands, link arms, give hugs, and use physical connection as effectively as you can.
6. Discover what brings the person joy: a time to talk, encouraging notes, a helping hand, or evening walks. Custom fit your attempts to bring joy.
7. Give them little surprises that will cause their eyes to light up, and let your eyes light up too! The joy builds as the glances go back and forth.
8. Cherish babies and children by establishing through words and actions that you are authentically "glad to be with them."
9. Use a warm tone of voice, particularly when you are saying "Hello" or "Goodbye."
10.Before you fall asleep at night, make every attempt to get to joy.
Taken from "The Life Model-Living from the Heart that Jesus Gave You"
Joy also comes from being in the presence of God, who knows everything about me, and is "as glad as glad can get" that I am alive! His delight in me gives me joy. Joy is also a shared experience with God, as His joy comes alive in me and I return it to Him.
Building joy includes getting closer to people and getting closer to God. While it is a very authentic process that cannot be fabricated, here are some "joy-building" ideas to first practice with our families and then extend to the community.
1. Smile whenever you greet those you love, and use sincere voice tones.
2. Ask questions that invite others to tell truthfully how they are doing, and what they are thinking. Listen intently without interrupting.
3. Take a sincere interest in really knowing the other person. Work hard to understand the other's fears, joys, passions, talents and pain.
4. treat each other with dignity and respect. When ending a discussion, try to make both people feel affirmed.
5.Use touch whenever appropriate; Hold hands, link arms, give hugs, and use physical connection as effectively as you can.
6. Discover what brings the person joy: a time to talk, encouraging notes, a helping hand, or evening walks. Custom fit your attempts to bring joy.
7. Give them little surprises that will cause their eyes to light up, and let your eyes light up too! The joy builds as the glances go back and forth.
8. Cherish babies and children by establishing through words and actions that you are authentically "glad to be with them."
9. Use a warm tone of voice, particularly when you are saying "Hello" or "Goodbye."
10.Before you fall asleep at night, make every attempt to get to joy.
Taken from "The Life Model-Living from the Heart that Jesus Gave You"
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