Joy in July

Joy does not simply happen to us.  We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. -Henri J.M. Nouwen

How often do you experience the emotion of joy?  The dictionary resource Merriam-Webster.com defines joy as "a state of happiness or felicity."   For many people, that may seem impossibly difficult.  Indeed, in our culture, we are conditioned to focus on what's going wrong or what's problematic.  

But it doesn't have to be this way and one way to experience more joy is to focus on what's going right and well.  Begin counting your blessings and welcome more joy into your life!

Henri J.M. Nouwen was a Catholic priest who wrote over 40 books on spirituality.  He taught at universities including Harvard and Yale Divinity Schools. He died in 1996 after living the final years of his life with people with mental disabilities at the L'Arche-Daybreak Community in Toronto, Canada. 

This month of July, I encourage you "to choose joy and keep choosing it every day."  Count your blessings!

Very best,

Stephanie