Joy Filled Life

7 Secrets For a Joy Filled Life

April 28, 2013 by Joe Martino

The truth is life doesn’t really have any rules, but I can promise you that if you implement these 7 pieces of wisdom into your life then you will likely find more peace and joy as a result.

1. Do not regret your past, make peace with it. If you dwell on and regret your past, you are adding suffering to your present.

Using the past as a reference point to make adjustments is a great way to learn and grow as a person. But regretting, judging and lingering in the past will only create more suffering in each moment you spend there.

2. What others think of you is none of your business. 

It’s easy to be concerned with what others think of us. I think we all experience this at one time or another. Realize that we can’t control the perceptions of others or what they will think of us. Do what you find joy in and be true to yourself, if others don’t like that, then that’s OK. Giving up your joy and truth to please others will only create suffering once again.

3. Time heals everything, so give it time.

Time can be a great healer, but I also feel it’s important to observe ourselves when we feel we need healing. Burying things over time leaves us susceptible to the same suffering if we don’t first address the cause. A breakup, a lost job, family or friend challenges, whatever the case may be, first observe what you are feeling and determine if a belief system about the situation is making you feel down. When you’ve done your own internal work, let time do the rest. Go on with life and find joy in other things, it’s a great way to move forward!

4. Avoid comparing your life to others lives. Your journey is unique and so is theirs. 

This is another easy one to get caught in at times, especially when something isn’t going as we might have expected. Just as we shouldn’t rely on our expectations, we also shouldn’t get caught up in comparing our lives and situations to others. We all go through challenges and each are right for each person. We learn, grow and enlighten ourselves by overcoming our challenges, which is precisely why we are here. Many times we compare out of a lack of self love. Is there ever a reason not to truly love yourself? No.

5. Get out of your mind! You don’t need to think and analyze everything so much. Answers will come when they need to.

We have a tough time with this as we often feel that we are our thoughts. We can drive ourselves crazy in tough times if we keep analyzing and re-analyzing situations and feelings. We will likely create an even bigger challenge than what we initially had. Quiet the mind, find peace in surrendering to what is going on. When you are resisting the least, the answers come.

6. You have to find your joy in life, no one is responsible for providing it or finding it for you.

We can easily get caught in the idea of chasing happiness or trying to have others supply it for us. Happiness can be based on conditions. If a certain outcome plays out, I am happy, if the opposite plays out, I am sad. If I get this job, toy, car, house, etc, I will finally be happy. Instead find peace and joy in whatever plays out, this comes from not judging everything and going for what you want to in life. Understand that each outcome is a growing opportunity for us. Deep down, discover the peace and joy that you already are, it’s not outside of you.

7. Know that you don’t own all the problems in the world.

Sometimes it can feel like things are constantly happening to us. The truth is, we all go through challenges and we are all here to support each other through them. Try not to get caught up in the idea of being a victim to your circumstance, this again is another belief system that creates suffering.