It’s almost Christmas. Are you joy-full?

It’s the third week of Advent…how did that happen? Well, time marches on even if we aren’t aware! This week is all about joy. That word seems to be everywhere this time of year, but are you filled with joy or filled with busy?

It’s really hard to pause in this season, there are many events happening in our homes, churches, schools, friends, and family. It seems like there is something to do and somewhere to be every day until Christmas. I was getting a bit stressed making presents today…gotta get them done. Do I need to stress out over that? No.

This season is about expectation and yes, even joy. How do you keep your joy when the world is chaotic around you? That is the question that we must really deal with each day. How do I keep my joy when I feel stressed or overwhelmed? My tactic is to take a “time out”. Go for a walk, change activities, meditate, or just get out of the situation for a few minutes to recenter myself.

Don’t let others take your joy either. You get to choose how you feel. If you are feeling joyful today, don’t let someone’s negative comment to you (or about you) make you lose your joy. The comment that was made- it’s not about you. The other person is looking at you through a lens of their own experience. Is there a kernel of truth in it? Probably. Are they 100% correct? Maybe not. You can consider what they say and decide if you need to respond or let it go. Don’t let them take your joy.

It’s fun to give our joy away all the time and in this season, we love to give things away- smiles, gifts, all the things. Don’t give all your joy away. You have to keep some. There is plenty to go around.

So today, consider how full your joy meter is. Are you cultivating your own joy to share or are you influenced by the outside world? Take some time to fill up your joy cup, then share it as it overflows.