How do you cultivate joy?
You’ve seen it maybe a dozen times: George Baily, in It’s a Wonderful Life, thinks life would be better off if he were dead. But in the end he experiences – really experiences – what Christmas is all about: how his life matters for other people, and how they matter for him. The angel’s gift is the experience of true Christmas joy.
Even as a committed Christian, it’s easy to be numb, or go through the motions around Advent and Christmas. It’s also one of the most difficult times of year for those subject to depression, or who’ve experienced a recent loss. So first, be gentle with yourself, and remind yourself of God’s deep love for you, even if you can’t feel it.
But one way to make Advent and Christmas meaningful is to be conscious about cultivating joy; opening yourself to the possibility of new birth and new life. Sometimes, it just takes a decision to try something that might open you to joyfulness. Here are just a few ideas. And – once again: we’d love YOUR ideas, by commenting below.
Give yourself a gift. As Christians, we can lose sight of the fact that “we love, because God first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) Our ability to give stems from our ability to receive: to receive the incredible love of God, which sets us free to love others. You might consider the question, what would be life-giving, abundant, and generative for me? If you yearn to enhance your friendships but never seem to find the time, give yourself tickets to a few sports performances, or plays, to which you can invite friends. Ballroom dancing lessons? Why not. A massage, and then a backrub for your spouse? Sure! Go for it! Be creative – as God is creative.
Take time from the screen. Screens – the computer screen, the TV screen, the smart phone: our lives are filled with them. And we all know how much they can add to our frenzy and anxiety, and prevent us from slowing down and experiencing the joy of just being with ourselves, or with our family. Consider a “screen fast” day, or evening, each week, and instead enjoy a game, an activity, a night out.
Do something for someone else. How would it feel to take time out from the busy-ness of the season, which is often focused on ourselves and our own families, in order to help others? Volunteer at Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. Go visit a neighbor. Even just getting up from your desk at work and asking someone how they are doing can be a conscious way to cultivate joy through compassionate engagement with others.
What about you? We’d love to hear your ideas, and your experiences in cultivating joy during the season.
