The honor of joy

Joy might not be something you readily associate with speaking up for yourself but it’s that very emotion that can propel your words in a positive manner. At best, joy is contagious. How powerful is that! You might even get off easy with a little joy because it can change those around you just by your ambiance.

Helen Keller writes in Resolve to Keep Happy. “Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow. Work without joy shall be as nothing. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.”

When joy bubbles up inside and courses throughout our body, endorphins are released. They cultivate the feel good element that spurs you to shine. I once read that simple pleasures can lead to the release of endorphins. How exciting that a walk in the woods with a friend or loved one, spotting a cardinal, or even from holding a child or a grand baby can fill you with joy. Make today special for not only finding the joy in your circumference but for spreading your happiness.

Tips for Investing in Happiness

If you want to be happier, forget about winning the lottery. We’ve all heard the stories about the big winners and how their lives and or relationships fell apart after becoming a millionaire. The grass always looks greener, but is it?

Sure, a newer car, bigger house, or a second home might bring a smile to your face. And, let’s not kid ourselves. More money might be grand and make life easier. But, then what? It won’t be long before you will be looking for the next high.

Harvard psychologist, Daniel Gilbert, writes in the bestseller, Stumbling on Happiness, published by Knopf, that “People who commit to relationships are much happier than those who don’t”. He goes on to say, “When we are connected well to others we feel most happy.”

Speaking up for ourselves and keeping the lines of communication open rather than blocking intimacy is not only healthy; it increases our sense of wellbeing. Surely, when our wellbeing is closer to a ten instead of a crumbling two or three, we will speak up with greater ease. We’ll do less second guessing about what comes out of our mouth. We’ll be making allies of our family and friends rather than enemies.

Nonverbal language

You might think that speaking up for yourself always means vocalizing. Not necessarily. Please don’t misunderstand. Saying the words one needs to speak in terms of honoring yourself and benefiting others wellbeing continues to be my stand. But, speaking up for yourself is as much about how your carry yourself as it is the words you communicate.

Are you a person who constantly follows the crowd with no thought of what’s right for you?

Growing up we all heard our mother say, “just because Susie jumped over the cliff doesn’t mean you have to do it too? Now that we’re grown, we’ve all learned how to think for ourselves. Well, most of us have anyway. Some people are still lax when it comes to managing their own lives or, if they are like me, are still in process.

I can still hear the echo of my mother’s words in her emphasized voice, “Use that head of yours for something besides a hat rack”. Finally, now in my womanhood of many years and the on the job training I’ve thus far survived called “life”, I hope that I’m making mom proud.

Putting those shoulders back, keeping your head up, and keeping your eyes alert is making the most of your natural assets that are always available at your beck and call. Try it. The benefit to your self-esteem and the impact on your social circle can be life enhancing. Let me know what happens.

Until next time… Top Blonde Speaking Up!