Hope, Health, and Happiness

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Stand firm in the faith, knowing your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering, and after we have suffered a little while, the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."  ~I Peter 5:8-10 

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Happy Wednesday, friends!  Thanks for caring enough to check in here.  At this point, I know I would write either way, but it makes me happy to have some faithful readers. =)

Today, I wanted to share a few things that are helping me as I adjust to what's happening in the world.  A couple weeks ago, I started a free online course called The Science of Well-Being (read about it and sign up HERE).  It's been excellent and interesting, going over what we tend to believe will make us happy vs. what will really make us happy.  Several of the points below are my favorite takeaways thus far:

1.  Savoring!  Not just glancing at a picture, but spending 5-10 minutes savoring and replaying a good/happy memory (choosing a different one each time and thinking about that event in a sharp, concrete way as if you're watching a video playing it back).  She recommends doing this a few times a week purely because it increases our joy and gratitude, and it's true! =)

2.  Deleting the Facebook app from my phone!  This one is new, but she went through several studies that prove that even if you are not struggling with insecurity or being dragged down by social comparisons on Facebook (which I don't feel like I am), spending tons of time on social media is not making you happier or better. So I'm giving this a fair shot this time.  Not deleting it entirely just yet, but creating more space for my soul to rest, and finding other places to spend that extra time and energy.

3.  Negative visualization!  Yeah, I don't love the name of that one, but it means something positive. It's a gratitude exercise taking a few minutes to imagine and maybe write about what your life would be like if you'd never met ____ or never experienced ____.  Even if you're thinking about a tough experience or someone you don't really like right now, this helps you appreciate them more.

4.  Reset!  She teaches a lot about hedonic adaptation, the way all people naturally adjust to things we were once super-excited about (landing a job we wanted, marrying the person we love, having a child, conquering a major goal, losing excess weight, or overcoming some big obstacle). It's sad but true that those things eventually become our new reference point for what is normal, so they don't add to our daily happiness in the way we first imagined/hoped they might.  She suggests resetting our reference points on a regular basis by pausing to really think back about what our life was like before ____ and how we felt when we first reached that goal, letting ourselves feel that excitement and fresh appreciation again!

5.  Connection!  This one is a little trickier and more challenging during quarantine, but also more important than ever.  The statistics show a really tragic increase in the use of alcohol, drugs, and porn, as well as growing reports of theft, domestic violence and/or child abuse, and suicide hotline calls.  All of this stems from fear and disconnection.  To quote the "love expert" trolls on Frozen, "People make bad choices when they're mad or scared or stressed!  But throw a little love their way, and you'll bring out their best - true love brings out the best!" =)  It's important to find ways to connect, especially if you're single... practice joy and gratitude, but also take the time to text, call, write, or check in with the people you care about.  And press into your walk with God.  I'm extra thankful for my family and friends right now, but also DEEPLY grateful for my relationship with God and belief in the Holy Spirit and angels that helps me never feel truly alone even when I'm by myself/ distant from other people. ❤

6.  Movement and sunshine!  This whole quarantine mess would've been far more difficult in the winter.  I'm very thankful we've had good weather and beauty and things blooming outside to lift our spirits!  I'm also increasingly aware of the way exercise (outdoor walks, Peloton rides, SALT yoga classes, Zumba, even basic stretching) contributes to my energy and joy and keeping a healthy mindset!  I'm finally getting some healthier food choices going, and I'm guessing that will contribute in a similar way! =)

7.  Finally, I recommend pausing your day to connect with God.  You could try downloading the free One-Minute Pause app from John Eldredge - it gives you daily reminders to stop and recenter and give everyone and everything to Jesus! Or if you have a minute, I recommend listening to this... it's 12-minutes of uplifting, hopeful Scriptures followed by a short prayer. ❤

That's all for now, friends.  Wishing you hope, health, and happiness! ❤❤