In my last post on here, I encouraged people to try becoming more positive, more hopeful and more JOYFUL (despite the current circumstances that befall us ALL at this time), in order that we may win this 'spiritual war' with ease. So today, I am going to build upon that thread by elaborating upon some of the simplest ways by which you can find happiness and joy in your lives. Read on for more! :)
To begin with, where does lasting happiness on EARTH come from?..."LASTING" being the key word here? Well, it comes from either of two things: The first one is SERVICE; the second one is SELF-EXPRESSION. And more often than not, SELF-EXPRESSION IS SERVICE. Allow me to explain.
"Service", in its simplest form, is bringing joy to another, whether that another is a human being, an animal, or a plant, matters not. Also, service isn't just "charity" or "rescuing a cat stuck on a tree" alone...you can be of service by simply offerring a warm smile to someone who looks cold, lonely and depressed. You can be of service by sharing your meal with someone. You can be of service by offering an old lady help with loading up her groceries into her car, or what-else-have-you. You can be of service by visiting an old age home near you and giving them all some Christmas / New Year gifts, and even better, simply spending some TIME with them sharing and having some CONVERSATIONS...you guys have no idea how lonely these people's lives are. And then again, if that type of service isn't exactly your cup of tea for some reason, guess what....SELF-EXPRESSION is exactly what the doctor ordered for YOU!
Self-Expression: This can be anything that comes naturally to you and brings you immense JOY. It can be writing. It can be singing. It can be painting, gardening, cooking, gaming, or even plain old prayer and meditation! It can be playing a sport that you enjoy playing or going for a jog or fishing. It can be inventing something or doing something the rest of the world considers "nerdy". It's simple: If YOU'RE the one doing it (as opposed to passive things such as watching Netflix or getting a massage), it then becomes your INEXHAUSTIBLE source of SELF-GENERATED joy (i.e. you don't have to rely on ANOTHER person to get that joy for yourself).
Not only that, self-expression makes you feel FULFILLED and ACCOMPLISHED...for example, you're not going to feel like a waste of space if that last post you wrote about on greatawakening.win brought joy, hope and happiness to another person. Or that last song you sung got your troublesome neighbour to finally consider relocation. Not saying you shouldn't watch Netflix or get a massage or anything (whatever keeps you going, go do it! (save super-negative shit like addictions and such!))...but that when you do or create something AWESOME, it not only brings joy to YOU, but also to SO. MANY. OTHERS!
Which makes SELF-EXPRESSION one of the most amazing forms of SERVICE too!
Along with these, there are many other incredible things that you can do to bring more and more happiness into your lives, bit by bit by bit!
A. Connecting with nature, going for walks in your local garden, connecting with animals etc.
B. Decorating your own home...you stay there all day, might as well make it beautiful and great smelling, great feeling, right? And no, it doesn't always have to be expensive. For instance, putting flowers in a flower pot and changing them twice or thrice each week costs you nearly nothing...but a simple flower or two in your room changes the entire ATMOSPHERE of that entire place and brings you LOADS of JOY! Just try it out and tell me it doesn't work!
C. You can also use your OWN creativity to do the above...you don't need to purchase an expensive painting if you can literally paint one yourself (if you're new to painting, try YouTube or something for some easy lessons!) and decorate your wall with it! Or, if you suck at painting, try writing a poem or something...frame it up and put it up on your wall (bonus points if you can write it in a great handwriting...or, even better, Calligraph it!).
Not only will (doing) the activity ITSELF bring you joy, but also it's RESULTS! After all, YOU are going to enjoy seeing YOUR painting on YOUR wall a whole lot more than seeing some random painting done by some random ass artist...doesn't matter how good they are. That is, of course, unless your paintings are total shit, in which case, consider writing a poem or an inspirational quote or something.
There are virtually ENDLESS things that you can do to bring pure JOY to your life (AND other people's lives as well)...from creating art and craft and music to simply recreating your life from scratch...to going out and having conversations with the lonely and the depressed to going and petting pups at your local animal shelter! If nothing else, you can simply find time to grab a hot cuppa tea / coffee for some time each day and just admire nature. Or go watch a "Tourism in 4K (place name)" video on YouTube on mute with some beautiful, soft and soothing instrumental / tibetan music playing in another tab! (I do this a lot myself, but with Live Cam videos of planes taking off or trains travelling). If nothing else, you can just do some Yoga / Tai Chi...or better, just take some time off of a busy day and simply enjoy the sheer act of BREATHING!
LIFE offers you AMPLE chances AND time each day to bring JOY to yourself...and every SMALL bit of joy you bring to yourself, ADDS UP to make your OVERALL life all the more happier, sexier, and RICHER! So, it's all up to YOU whether you choose to spend whatever bits of free time you find in your day reading NEGATIVE stuff on social media, news websites, alternative news websites etc. that make you feel BAD...or whether you'd rather utilize the EXACT SAME TIME in doing something that brings you JOY...and in some cases...SERVES THE WORLD AROUND YOU (and brings OTHERS some JOY) as well!
BE the change you wish to SEE.
Have a very Happy New Year, everyone! :) :) :)
EDIT: Also, you will find here (to your great surprise and JOY) that YOU being happy and happi-er inspires OTHERS around you and in your life to be happy and happi-er as well! Because remember, JOY (much like sadness) is INFECTIOUS (unlike the current "virus"!!!) Also, it is INSPIRATIONAL and it GETS AROUND much like K.D. Harris on an average day. So yeah, instead of some fake flu, go make your JOY go VIRAL instead! Much love and many hugs to you!
GIGA EDIT: Also, if you feel so inclined, PLEASE do SHARE this post across all of your social medias or whatever. Or, in case TGA.WIN links are banned, just copy-paste this text or such. Or, if you are a blogger or a YouTuber or such, feel free to address this topic in your next video or blog post...because THIS IS EXACTLY HOW WE can support the White Hats in bringing forth a better world! After all, THEY can only help clean-up the bad guys. That ALONE is of little use or consequence if the NEW WORLD that we are building here is filled with people who are not HEAVEN-BENT on making our world a better place, ONE SMALL STEP at a time! Cheers! And have an incredible day!
I agree 100% when it comes to service to others. It took me a while to learn this lesson, but I really do enjoy serving others in many different ways. Here are some things that I’ve done in the past that might be suggestions for others. Please don’t take this as me patting myself on the back, because it’s not me at all. It’s Jesus Christ in me. It’s with his love that I’m able to love others.
My best friend broke her back when I was out of town, when I came home I decided to take care of things for her so she didn’t have to.
Grocery shopping, putting groceries away A thorough cleaning of the house including floors and vacuuming couches Putting up Christmas lights Driving her to places Yardwork
I also helped some of my neighbors with their Christmas lights, because the lady across the street really doesn’t know how to do it. She knocked on the door and asked for help so I helped her.
A neighbor next to my mom who lives in a 55 and older neighborhood was in the hospital, they were somebody driving around trying to fine people for not having their yards done. Myself and another neighbor did her yard, and I sprayed her yard thoroughly for weeds so they won’t come back. My neighbor across the street asked if I could do her house to, she offered to pay me but I said no. So I sprayed her yard as well. It feels good to be able to help neighbors people in need.
I spent quite a bit of time baking cookies this holiday. I was able to give out about 12 dozen cookies. Yes I like making cookies! I also made almond toffee bark. Just to see a smile on somebody’s face when you give them sweets is a reward enough.
From time to time if I see a homeless person at a stoplight, and God puts it on my heart, I will give them some money. Not all of them, just the ones that God puts on my heart.
When I go to fast food restaurants, and I get exceptional service I will tip the person in the drive-through. One or two dollars. To see their faces light up with joy is worth every penny.
I offered to start doing my moms yard, because it’s costing her $150 a month to have it serviced. I told her I would just do one small portion at a time whenever I’m at her house. She was so pleased, and it’s really not that much work. I told her to start putting $50 a month aside, so she could have it done in the summer, because it’s gets to be 115 here in Arizona. So in the summer months I won’t be killing myself out there LOL.
This coming week I’ll be taking Leitz down at my moms house, and my best friends house. I got sick this week so things have been delayed but I’ll be back up on my feet in no time.
I suffer from the severe depression, and when I am helping others it takes the focus off of me. It really does lift you up when you help others. Thank you for this fantastic post. We need more positivity here, we need more positivity everywhere.
First of all, you are an ANGEL! THANK YOU for doing God's work, you have no idea how much you're doing for this world of ours!
Second, I hope more and more people follow your example and share their stories in here just like you just did, WITHOUT considering it as "patting themselves on the back" or whatever. If anything, such posts serve as an INSPIRATION to so many others who have always felt shy / hesitant on whether to help others out or not!
Third, I hope THIS post goes "viral"...because, as you rightly said, we need more positivity HERE as well as everywhere!!!
Let's build a better world... together!
WWG 1 WG A
God bless you I hope you have a fantastic day. I could ask one small favor. I actually had to go visit somebody in the hospital because his wife couldn’t go. He was supposed to have surgery but he had Covid. Go figure? So I spent New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day visiting to make sure that the doctors were going to try and kill him. Turns out I got sick afterwards LOL! If you could pray for me that would be great.
Praying for your health and happiness in this new year.
Thanks FREN!
Consider it done. Much love, and many, MANY blessings to you, this fren of yours and all of your loved ones too! May you be blessed. Cheers!
I hope that's not what you meant to write.
That’s exactly what I meant. People are only dying of Covid in hospitals.
Working alongside volunteers puts you in the best company.
So much THIS. One. Hundred. Fucking. Percent.
If I could sticky a comment, yours would most likely be the one (as of this moment of writing, of course). Great job! :)
Additional clarification on "Happiness"...
Happiness is always derived from something external to the human being. This or that makes you happy. It is always externally derived.
Joy, on the other hand, is manifested by human beings letting their love come out of them. It is internallly derived.
Joy is an expression of who you are. Happiness is a reaction to circumstance.
Consider this: Which one of these do you actually control? When you arrive at an answer to this question, then "be" that!
This is true. However, for most people, this is difficult to actually realize, on an experiential level. So I'll use an example here to illustrate. An example which most people can relate to, barring the ones who have had an extremely challenging childhood or such. So, here it goes anyways: Remember the time when you were a child. If not, just go find one and look at them. They are happy WITHOUT cause. They don't always need to be playing or dancing or doing the next big thing. Often, you will see them smiling for no reason. They are simply happy being ALIVE. They are simply happy BE-ING.
Now, some of you might (correctly) argue that this is because they don't have to worry about paying bills and facing the boss on a Monday morning, and while that is correct, that does not mean that it is impossible to emulate them. Because this is a STATE OF BEING that we have lost NOT because it does not exist any longer within our REACH...BUT BECAUSE we have been PROGRAMMED out of it by a Dark Hat / Cabal devised system that feeds on our fears and LIVES by draining out ALL HOPE from within us and sucking out ALL of our happiness-es. We have LOST this natural system of accessing JOY from WITHIN ourselves thanks to advertising, brainwashing, programming and propaganda hypnosis that constantly reminds us that unless we are "this skinny", "that tall", "this perfect", or have "this new gadget" or "that new pair of sneakers", that without these things and more, we are worthless, and doomed to a life of utter sadness and self-demise.
In other words, we can't access our TRUE INNER JOY NOT BECAUSE we have bills to pay (or have otherwise lost access to it), BUT BECAUSE we have FORGOTTEN that such an easy access to it firstly even EXISTS within us, and because we simply do not PRACTICE it anymore within our daily lives.
So much like if you stopped walking for a few months or years, you will be unable to walk or run all of a sudden when required...in much the same way, what you do not REGULARLY PRACTICE on a daily basis, you eventually FORGET (sometimes COMPLETELY). Doesn't mean that the ABILITY isn't there within you anymore, but that you need to try your best to REMEMBER as to how you even used to do it earlier (studying how children do it helps GREATLY), and then, practice, practice, and PRACTICE it as often as you can, until it all becomes your very way of life itself.
Practice makes perfect for a reason, after all. And this is no different to accessing one's inner JOY than say, learning how to play a Guitar using practice, or learning to swim or ride a bike, and so on and so forth.
Hope this helps!
For fun, please consider reading "Take a Look at the Five and Ten" by Connie Willis. I think it was written for you.
Thanks. Is it a novel? I rarely read any fictional novals.
It may be worth your time. It is fiction, a bit longer than a short story but not novel-sized. Maybe a novelette.
This is the antidote to fear sickness. The wise will take heed.
Great post friend. Keep being the light. God bless u. Love u
Thank you, and wish you the same! :)
mentioned in post, about shelter animals...spending time and giving attention to those poor animals, i think is one of the more noble things a person can do...many people say it makes them sad to visit the shelters, to see all of the "dead end" dogs and cats...i am associated with a lifetime animal sanctuary, and it's really sad to see how many families dump "beloved pets" in a shelter, as soon as the parent, or whoever, dies...one thing that anyone can do is to adopt an older animal from a shelter, because they just want to be loved, grateful for a few kind words, some good food and a peaceful, dignified life before they pass.
I know. These animals don't even ask for much...just give them a few pets and they light up like it's the very best day of their lives. Giving them some of our time is the least that we could do for these incredible, loving, and wonderful souls. Thank you for your comment.
great post and reminds me of President Trump & the Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. Trump went to his sermons for years and NVP performed DJTs first marriage ceremony.
Norman Vincent Peale; https://youtu.be/IjfPSiUn3eE
I agree Suseq2018! Always have loved Norman Vincent Peal! Also Bishop Fulton Sheen & Rev. Robert Schuller...God loves positive thinkers!
Thank you u/DonSpectacularis for the uplifting post! Helping others helps us more than anything else. Giving to others truly give backs to us tenfold.
We choose each day how we face the world and I choose a happy heart. In this world of darkness we can be the light!
I've heard of Shuller before, but never Bishop Fulton Sheen, so thanks for giving me something new to look for!🌻🕵️
He was popular in the 50's- 60's. A very positive Catholic bishop...kind of a Catholic Norman Vincent Peal. He has a show on TV (probably on Sundays where he taught the bible in his lesson. I've never seen him while he was alive just old tapes and on YouTube. Rev Robert Schuller was mentored by Norman Vincent Peal.
You are welcome fren Suze!
Thankfulness will settle a lot of woes. There are physiological effects being thankful causes..all good.
I always believed that the secret to happiness is:
Right now I get the most joy being around my two young children, providing for them, playing with them, singing and dancing with them. It’s a dark world but you would never know it looking into my kitchen around 6:15 pm every night.
My very favourite part of this entire comment, other than the quick and memorable three-pointer of course!
It’s literally all about choices. Make good choices have usually good outcomes. Make bad choices and live with shit.
Excellent post. I have been listening to a lot of mindset books and it is wild the amount of positive benefits it can give you from happiness to healing to learning and everything in between
Yes, I feel that the more we take up responsibility of healing and helping ourselves (and others), the faster we can BE joyful and then, be able to SPREAD that joy around wherever we go. Being sad and depressed and crying and bitching about the current world situation, while understandable and everything, ultimately offers us NOTHING and helps the world around us NOT. Whereas, even adding in a little more POSITIVITY to our world has the potential to take our world forward in ways that have as of yet remained unimagined!
Under service, I have one. I go to WalMart or the grocery store and walk around checking to see if any elderly or handicapped people need help. For instance, I can grab things for them off of higher shelves or push a buggy if there are a lot of items and they can't manage. They are so appreciative and honestly, it gives me a high.
Read something light. Reading can take you away to other places.
Declutter your spaces. A cluttered space = a cluttered mind. It really makes a big difference.
Walk and really notice your neighbor's landscape, wreaths, flowers, and/or trees. Say hello if you see someone else walking.
Really listen to your children or grandchildren. I swear they're smarter today and have so much to offer.
Visit your parents and grandparents. You really will miss them one day. My dad is 83 and has recently been enjoying sharing things from his past. I love hearing his old stories.
Very well written and kept it brief too! Good job! :)
Thank-you!
I feel instantaneous peace and happiness the moment I step outside and cast my eyes toward nature. Once I've removed anything man-made from my line of sight, I enter THE reality and can let go of all the grief and gloom that exists in man's world. I put on my snowshoes and disappear into the woods where I can add my tracks to those of the rabbits, grouse, wolves and lynx that routinely traverse the land around my home. I feel the humility of knowing that their lives are untouched by the silly fears that are being constantly foisted upon us. Life is about living. There's little point in hiding from life for fear of something that COULD happen.
I've been listening to celtic / medieval instrumentals lately, theres a lot of 8 hour mixes on youtube, its very upbeat and helps me stay positive :)
good idea, I'll have to try that.
and not Celtic, just some regular guys having fun. plus the lyrics mention John K and Joe;)
Q's version;
https://youtu.be/LvkXyAmG1B4
extended version to match lyrics.
https://youtu.be/aaiYaKBicvA
At 3:50 ^
Ren the Hoak Another bloke Soaked and soaked By the joke Hey, hey, John K Watcha say, watcha say? Hey, hey, Joe, Joe Watcha know, watcha know?
My favourite, in all honesty, is the super-awesome "GTA Radio" playlists on YouTube (and so many fun genres at that). GTA did such a brilliant job at curating their musical playlists, that shit hard to top.
Thank you for writing this.
More like this please!
Nice post. I do feel you should have mentioned Jesus Christ. I don’t know how someone can have Joy without Christ. I know, I’ve tried. All the things you’ve mentioned sound great, but without our Lord and Savior, without our praise for our Father in Heaven...none of this will bring you peace and joy. None of it.
Place Jesus Christ first, then proceed with these options. Sing songs about Him. Think about what question you would ask. Pray often. Give thanks. The path many of us seek is through Jesus Christ. Use your energy more wisely. And seek Him out. Then embrace the love. The Holy Spirit will come about you, and you’ll feel it. It’s amazing.
God Bless brothers and sisters.
Dude, I think Jesus himself would be bummed by this post.
Yes a post that praises Him, that places Jesus first, truly a devastating read for our Lord and Savior.
Get better.
I do apologize.
You know what brings me lasting happiness? NCSWIC and WWG1WGA
Holiness through Jesus Christ is true happiness & is everlasting. All temporal happiness is fleeting.
Yes.
Also I'm puzzled as to how this gets a sticky.
Wasn't Jesus Christ's (and literally every other spiritual teacher's) core message something along the lines of: "Be kind, loving, and helpful towards our neighbours and the rest of the world"? Or am I reading all of these books all wrong?
Anyways, given that this post has 95 likes and 0 dislikes at the moment of my writing this, I'd say that the mods' decision to sticky this was/is well on point. Besides, there are other places on the internet to spread negativity and such, so I'd request you all that you please not do it on here. Thanks!
(All constructive criticism is most welcome here though --- but it should at the very least be based on solid logical arguments and such is what I feel here. Cheers! And have a great day!) :)
Nothing against you, fren. I just see this as off-topic, and frankly a little tone-deaf.
We are at the cusp of monumental change, for better or worse. Many are struggling to keep the faith. This post comes off as dismissive.
Not saying I have a problem with the post itself - only that it was sticked.
Fair enough. Thank you for sharing. Regarding the "tone-deafness" of it however, perhaps this comment of mine (you'll need to scroll down a bit to see it) might help shed some light on things. Cheers! And have an incredible day.
Cheers fren. May we all come through this darkness soon, into a world of agape love.
Someone once told me that when your deep "in the zone" creating you're the closest to God's face.
I'm sure they said more beautifully, but that's how I remember it
I agree a 100%. A lot of people who follow q get frustrated and salty. I try to take matters in my own life, and as you said be the change you want to be in the world
Excellent post. I needed this reminder as I sit here wasting time feeling sorry for myself. There are much better things to be doing!
Wow, great post. This is more of the cozy pill but also the real essence of Q and WWG1WGA.
I'll add one edit though, there's nothing wrong with media consumption, what's wrong is the way modern Americans consume it. Between binge watching and the general nihilistic and depressive qualities of top rated television, plus the social indoctrination, the simple act of consuming fiction or sport (which is purely human, and intrinsic to our DNA, research the history of athletics and of theatre and see why we often naturally crave entertainment) becomes something toxic
Savor fiction. Take your time with a good anime watching one episode a week or day, watch a movie and take mental notes, discuss it over the course of the next day, play video games that truly challenge your mind or have a message and story to tell instead of games that only test twitch reflexes or how good your ping is, listen to music but don't just shuffle spotify, listen to a full album or curate playlists for specific moods or needs, watch sports but don't just drink and root, learn the sport, analyze the sport (wrestling fans and racing fans share in common that often the business or strategy behind the scenes is equally enthralling as the actual contest) find the deeper human and psychological meaning in the sport and understand what our innate subconscious gains and learns from pure sport.
Netflix and chill, the watercooler culture, and the hive mind are the problem. Not fiction, not media. That's art and there is nothing wrong with relaxing and enjoying art.
I agree with nearly everything you said here. Though I will say that using gaming to increase reflexes is something of a net positive. And also sport can be fun, with or without analysis / over-analysis, simply by the means enjoying it (in the moment) for what it is, rather than using it to create and experience an "us vs them" type division ("MY" team vs "THEIR" team etc.) which only leads to more separation, violence and such.
Amen!
Thanks Fren! I needed this and I think alot more did too.
I'm just glad to know this helped :)
The peace of God transcends all understanding, Phillippians 4:7. There is no real joy or peace without a relationship with God through his Christ, Jesus.