Published August 7, 2025
The title of this week’s blog was part of a homily I recently heard at my church. Anything that relates to the topic of happiness, joy, and well-being always rings like music to my ears.
The Reverend went on to say that we must be grateful. Look all around, and there’s beauty in our daily lives. He explained how he has seen it over the years, that the happiest people are the ones who are grateful and recognize their blessings.
When someone of authority or expertise says something works and how they’ve witnessed it over and over, you bet I’m going to listen and take it to heart.
So let’s work on being grateful as part of our personal growth journey.
For many readers, it might sound impossible at the moment. Life can be grueling and unfair. But we must not dwell on our problems because really, what good will that do? Just because life can get difficult doesn’t mean the beauty around us went away. It’s still there! I promise!
Do you want to be happy? Of course you do! Then stop dwelling in the “what if’s” and living in the past. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Acknowledge what happened was awful, grieve through the emotions, then get up and live your life. I know you don’t want to be sorrowful your whole life. You deserve better than that.
Back to what the Reverend said. Let’s count our blessings and be grateful for what we DO have. So often we focus on what we don’t have and then dwell upon that. Shift the mindset to all the great things in your life. Your house is the dream for someone who can’t afford one. Your health is an asset others would love to have. Your family and friends are the wish for those who are lonely. Your job provides the income stream while many are struggling to make ends meet.
A kind gesture from a stranger, the generosity of a friend, a delicious meal, a good glass of wine, a great movie, a beautiful sunny day, a good workout, a call from someone you haven’t talked to in a long time, a fascinating novel, something that made you laugh….the list can go on and on. It really can be endless!
Have you ever met someone who seems to have everything but they’re never happy? It’s like they are constantly chasing happiness but can’t ever find it. I bet they can’t see the blessings in right in front of their eyes. I bet they have so much to be grateful for, yet they can’t find true joy.
Read my blog from December 2024 How to Get Into the Habit of Feeling Grateful Everyday. I want you to get into the habit of finding 3 things that you were grateful for in your day. As your head hits the pillow, say those
3 things and reinforce to yourself that there was good in your day. You’ll discover that many days you’ll have more than 3 things! Then drift off to sleep in peace and calm. I’ve found this to be a life transforming tip.
Let’s choose to be happy by being grateful and acknowledging all the good happening around us. Happiness really is a choice, so choose wisely. To further enhance and support this choice, follow me on Instagram @sincerelyjulie_joyful_living for daily inspiration. I also welcome messages at inquiry@sincerelyjulie.com or comment below.