With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, are we feeling ‘Joy to the World’? Have upsetting emotions hijacked our sense of ‘Peace on Earth’?
Joy makes us feel more connected and satisfied with life. It is necessary for emotional stability, resilience, and is at the root of feeling peace. Think of it like this; “Joy is peace dancing and peace is joy resting”.
There are situations that can rob us of our joy, such as experiencing traumas and developing toxic thinking patterns. If this is true, how is it that some of the most joyful people are ones that have endured unbearable traumas in their past?
Marcus Warner and Chris Coursey, authors of The 4 Habits of Joy-Filled People, explain that it has more to do with brain science than genetics. Neuroscience supports the fact that we are “wired to be at our best when we run on the fuel of joy” because it has the ability to release dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin, and serotonin which is associated with our “glad-to-be-together” relational experiences.
The answer to building joy can be found between two areas of the brain:
- The Joy Center: This is the foundation. It is located in the front area of the brain and is responsible for developing habits of calming and appreciation.
- The Joy Pathways: This is the framework for getting back to joy. It starts at the back area of the brain where upsetting emotions live, and is responsible for constructing pathways back to the Joy Center. The habits most needed to strengthen those pathways are storytelling and attacking toxic thoughts.
“It’s never too late to grow your capacity to feel joy, because your brain has the ability to grow joy as long as you live.” Even when experiencing anxiety and depressive feelings, there is hope. The goal is not to avoid pain, but to return to joy. If you are finding it hard to experience joy this season, perhaps it is time to start developing habits that will help you get there! You do not have to work on it alone. A professional counselor can help you get started with the process.
For more information about The 4 Habits of Joy-Filled People, and the 15-minute brain exercises that can be put into practice immediately, please visit www.4habits.org.
