HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · AUGUST 2018
“
The truth is, when you go
through your days filled
with anger, bitterness, and
annoyance, you're really
just stealing the joy out of
your own life.
have fun! No matter what you do,
the same can be true for you. Look
for ways that you might be able to
work better, improve things around
your workplace, or make life a little
easier for a coworker. Do a great job
not because you want a reward but
because it feels good to do so. And
I'm going to guess that you might just
start to experience a little something
called joy.
05
Simplicity
Ahhh, simplicity—my favorite
thing to talk about. Don't worry,
I won't run on for fifteen more
paragraphs on the subject. But, as
the name "F.a.s.t. Life" implies, I do
believe that our lives become more
fabulous and more abundant the
more we simplify them. That doesn't
mean that everyone has to move into
a 160-square foot tiny house like I did,
but you can still simplify your life and
get rid of all the excess so you can find
the joy that's hiding underneath.
03
Forgiveness and
Grace
One of the quickest
ways to live a joyless life is to walk around
with a chip on your shoulder. Having a quick
temper, holding grudges, and constantly
being judgmental of others are sure-fire
obstacles to living joyfully. But even if you've
been guilty of these types of behaviors in the
past (We all are!), you can choose to make a
change and start living differently now.
Remember that we are all flawed human
beings and we are all going to do things now
and then that upset other people. But just
as you'd hope to be forgiven in the case of
your own poor actions, extend that same
grace to others and forgive them—even
when you don't feel like it. I ask God to help
me have patience and grace with others that
I normally wouldn't have on my own. And He
always does.
The truth is, when you go through your days
filled with anger, bitterness, and annoyance,
you're really just stealing the joy out of your
own life. Be forgiving, be graceful and, if
you're really feeling ambitious, be generous
to those who have hurt or wronged you, and
you will see your joy multiplied!
04
Excellence
You may have noticed this is one of
my favorite words lately. It's because of what
a noticeable difference it has made in my life.
Ever since I felt like God shifted me from a
place of working to follow certain formulas
and achieve certain numbers, back to a place
of just sharing what I'm passionate about and
genuinely wanting to help others as much as
possible, it's like the joy floodgates opened
up! Not only are things flowing easier now,
but I actually enjoy every task more!
You may think what you do isn't important
or that it's just the means to an end, but no
matter what our occupations, we can enjoy
them more when we commit to working
with excellence. I do pet-sitting on the side
and I can choose to either just go through
the motions to get it done or I can really be
present in the moment, enjoy the dogs, and
23 HEALTHY MAGAZINE
Stop obsessing over meaningless
things like taking the perfect selfie or
having the latest iPhone. Get rid of
all the clutter that's taking over your
house, cut out of your schedule the
extra duties that you took on out of a
misplaced sense of obligation, let go
of those ridiculous expectations you
put on yourself, and get back to what
really matters.
Allow joy to come back into your life
as you let go of all those things the
world tells you to be and get back to
who you were created to be.
Until next time...keep your worries tiny
and your dreams BIG!
By Jenn Baxter