Finding Your Flow

April 23, 2019Leave a comment

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Do you ever get so wrapped up in a hobby or activity or even work that you lose all sense of time? For me, I often become immersed in what I am writing, and hours can slip away without me even noticing. For others, it may be training for a race or designing a floral arrangement or accomplishing a new song on the piano or working on a creative project at work. Being completely immersed or absorbed in an activity that is challenging, yet geared toward your skills is described as the joyful state of flow.

Contemporary psychologist say that flow is highly correlated with happiness. Furthermore, studies have found that people who often experience flow are likely to develop additional positive traits such as self-esteem, focus and greater performance. Flow is not something forced, rather it is intrinsically motivated. It’s what Eric Liddell, of Chariots of Fire fame, spoke about when he said, “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.”

How beautiful it is to allow the flow of the Holy Spirit to work through our unique gifts to bring glory to God and blessings to others. God has equipped each of us with different interests, passions and abilities, and we can experience great pleasure as we express them in this world. As believers in Christ, we have the joy of knowing that God’s Spirit works in mighty ways through us, as He not only gives us gifts, but enables us to use them.

Jesus said, “Whoever believe in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Invite the flow of His Spirit to pour through you this week.

Photo by Robert Lukeman on Unsplash

Are You Happy?

March 18, 2019Leave a comment

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March 20th is International Day of Happiness, so I thought we could take a little time this week to consider the subject of happiness and what it looks like in our lives. Ask any two people to describe what happiness means to them, and you will typically get a wide range of answers. Some talk about experiences that lead to happiness, or situations that detract from happiness, while others mention the relationships that bring happiness into their lives.

How would you describe what it means to be happy? Oxford Dictionary’s definition of the word Happy is, “feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.” Positive psychologists typically uses the term, “subjective well-being” when referring to happiness. The word itself has its origins in ancient Greek and is closely related to the concept of fortunate, well-off or blessed.

No matter how we define it, almost everyone wants to experience it. Studies show several habits that are generally found in happy people. They include:

Relationships
Acts of Kindness
Exercise and Physical Well-being
Sense of Purpose or Flow (Using your gifts and talents)
Spiritual Engagement and Meaning
Strengths, Virtues and Moral values
Positive Mindset: Gratitude, Optimism, Hope

The question is, can people learn how to be happier? The answer is YES! Happiness is not a stagnant trait that only a few lucky people seem to own. We can all grow, improve and make positive changes. Take a thoughtful look at the seven factors listed above. Are there any areas you could work on or strengthen in your life?

It is important to recognize that no matter what your circumstances look like, you can find ways to increase your level of happiness despite your challenges. In other words, life doesn’t have to be perfect in order for you to be happy. I have met people (and I’m sure you have too) that are miserable, and yet their life circumstances are comfortable. I have also met people who live in very challenging circumstances, but choose to have a grateful and optimistic outlook, employing many of the principles above.

Let’s face it, life ebbs and flows with sadness, joys, difficulties and sweetness. No one experiences happiness 100% of the time. It is important for each of us to grieve our pain and losses as well as enjoy the delights of life. The good news is that we can make deliberate choices that move us in a happier direction and allow us to positively influence the world around us.

Although happiness is fleeting, there is a joy we can experience deep within us. The apostle Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.” He points us to something beyond the happiness that this world can offer – the joy of the Lord. There is no greater joy than knowing that we are loved and forgiven as we place our faith in Christ and what He did for us on the cross.

This Easter, I encourage you to look to the only One who can bring lasting love, joy and peace into your life. To learn more about a relationship with Christ visit https://chataboutjesus.com

Join me for my new series entitled “Increasing Happiness,” as we look at the seven habits of happy people. Click the follow button on the right, so that you will receive a weekly email.

Turning Negatives into Positives

May 21, 2018May 21, 2018Leave a comment

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Sometimes life hits hard. Circumstances can take a downturn. Frustrations may seem overwhelming. People may be cruel and hurtful. How do we handle the disappointments and devastations? Is it possible to birth something hopeful, when all we can see is our pain?

Being positive doesn’t mean we ignore the pain, but it does mean after we grieve the loss, we ask the question, “How can I grow or learn or make something good come out of this?”

Helen Keller showed us what it looks like to overcome the negatives. Born in 1880, a severe illness left her unable to see or hear. Yet through the patient and persistent instruction of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, Helen learned to read, write and speak. She didn’t stop there! She went on to study French and Greek at Radcliffe College. At the age of 26, she published her life story and became a well-known public figure and humanitarian, speaking in over twenty-five countries throughout the world. Her life and story has inspired countless millions to turn life’s challenges into possibilities.

She wrote, “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” Certainly her incredible accomplishments epitomize human potential in the face of adversity.

It’s not what happens to us that define us, it’s what we do with it that matters. Let’s be willing to change our focus. Let’s be creative and look for ways to make the best out of the worst. May each of us find hope in unlikely places.

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Photo by Sara Kauten on Unsplash

Laugh – 25 Positive Words, Day 21

December 21, 2017December 19, 2017Leave a comment

Day 21

Laughter is good medicine. Whether you burn the turkey, or re-gift the same gift to the person who gave it to you last year, or don’t finish the Christmas cards until Dec 27th – you have a choice in the way you respond. When frustrations happen, you can fall apart and declare, “Everything is going wrong!” Or you can laugh and see the humor in life.

Certainly there are times when we need to cry and grieve, but there are also times when we need to let out a good hearty guffaw.

Keep the laughter flowing throughout the holidays with funny movies, games, playing in snow or simply telling old stories. Remember, never laugh at another person’s expense. Laughter should elevate others’ hearts, not hurt them. Be deliberate about choosing laughter during this season and throughout the year.

True Positive: Day 15 – Happy List

July 21, 2017Leave a comment

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Recently, my friend Sharon Hill gave me two plaques for my birthday. One read, “Do one thing everyday that makes you happy.” The other was simply blank, so I could write the one thing I did that day to make me happy. Isn’t that great?

Have you ever stopped to think about what truly makes you happy? Maybe it’s spending time with family, perhaps it is reading a book or taking a stroll through the park or painting a picture. I encourage you to take some time to thoughtfully make a list of at least 15 things that make you smile. Next, determine to set aside some time on a regular basis to do one of the things on your list.

I’m not condoning self-centeredness or thinking only of your own happiness. In fact, one of the things that increases our joy is to love and serve others (which we will talk about tomorrow). But, there are times when we need to rejuvenate and be deliberate about self-care in order to avoid burnout, fatigue or exhaustion. God has made each of us with unique desires. Psalms 103 reminds us that God satisfies our desires with good things, so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Ask God to satisfy your desires and renew your strength. Look for simple ways to enjoy your “Happy List.”