We were truly meant to have this joy in our lives! I believe joy is an emotion that we are allowed to feel when we are doing what the Lord would have us do. It’s like a signal from heaven, not only as a sign that we have His approval but also as a message of what’s to come when we arrive home. Think about it — when we are free from all the challenges of this life that bog us down and distract us, the only thing we will feel when we reach heaven will be pure joy!!! And what a blessing to have moments of that heavenly emotion to reassure us while we are here on earth!
I had the opportunity to interview a dear friend and example, Tina Day. She truly radiates light and joy. There is SO much I can learn from her! Tina was born in Idaho, raised in northern California, and now calls Utah home. She attended BYU, graduated, went back to California for work, got engaged to the man of her dreams, came back to Utah for his schooling and stayed. They were privileged to learn from 4 children and are now expecting their 6th grandchild. Tina finds great joy in people, volunteering, quilting, grand-mothering, and continual learning!
How have you developed joy in your life?
Basically, I am a happy person. I love life!!! As I ponder how this joy developed I would have to say it is two fold. Yes, I believe that a measure of the joy I feel is deep inside my being, but I also think the joy I feel has been a choice. My parents were wonderful Christian people but they were very serious and often overwhelmed with the cares of life. Although I saw righteous behavior modeled in my home, the pursuit of joy was not a priority.
When I married I truly was blessed with a righteous husband and another perspective on life. We had only been married two weeks when, because of him, my lense on life shifted. We had been to church and I was disappointed that no one had reached out to get to know me. I said to my husband, “No one talked to me at church today.” His response was, “Well, how many people did you say hello to?” That simple comment truly changed me! Instead of waiting for others to befriend me, or provide a moment of joy in my life, or think I am an okay person, I decided from that day forward that it is totally up to me how I respond to life. I can either wait for others to make me happy OR I can put myself out there and bring joy to my life and the lives of others! And that mentality has truly brought me a lifetime of joy — from making a ton of friends in our newly married circle, to hosting weekly luncheons for our children and their friends (sometimes up to 50 kids!) during their high school years, to now reorienting my focus as an empty nester!
What rituals, habits, or routines do you participate in on a regular basis that help create joy in your life?
I wish I could say that I am a creature of habit but unfortunately I am not! I am an “in the moment” gal who attends to whatever need is in front of me “at the moment.” This can be viewed as either positive or negative. I realized not long ago that the reason I receive calls to help others is because I ALWAYS accept the invitation by putting aside whatever I had planned for the day. So my regular routine for creating joy is to serve daily! And until you’ve tried it, you won’t believe what a powerful effect serving others can have on your own life!!! It is amazing how much joy it brings to me!
I also have practices that move up and down on the priority scale depending on what’s going on in my life. I am currently involved in an 85 day scripture reading program which has brought me so much joy as I have searched for the Savior’s love, influence, and grace in my daily readings. Prayer is also a part of my daily mantra. Often on my knees, but constantly in my heart, is a prayer for strength and enlightenment.
Are there any experiences that you’ve had where you have had to focus more on receiving joy and peace in your life?
On December 13, 2016, the morning after the joy of the arrival of our 5th grandchild, we alerted emergency responders after not being able to reach my parents by phone. The responders found them at their home. My mother had awakened in the night and had fallen in such a way that her airway was compromised. My father had gone to help her and in his attempt to lift her he had a massive heart attack. In an instant and without warning, my precious parents were gone. I can’t even begin to put into words the grief that I felt. I had spent the week prior to their passing helping them, taking them to doctor’s appointments, sewing neighbor gifts that they could give to people who were so very attentive and kind, and enjoyed being with them. What I’ve learned is that when you love and serve someone, your loss is so much greater in their absence. It has literally taken me over a year to want to get back to the process of living, but in January 2018 I decided that I needed and wanted to feel the happiness inside that was so much a part of who I used to be.
There are several things that have helped me through this. The month my parents passed away I was participating in the #LighttheWorld campaign where I had planned out 25 ways in 25 days to Light the World. I was so excited about this opportunity! I had printed a large poster sized chart with the prompts for each day. I had given this poster to several of my neighbors. I was involving my adult children in my plans and had actually planned to do the 12 Days of Christmas for each of my 4 children and their families. The only thing that kept me going for the month was my belief in my Savior, knowing that His Atonement could heal my wounded heart and a deep understanding that I needed to serve as He did. I went on autopilot and carried out the acts of service that I had planned. I prayed like I have never prayed before, and, to this day, some of the sweetest answers to my prayers came during this month. In my heartfelt agony and through my many tears, I have come to know that Christ can heal us. He can bring us back to life. And He can even help us to feel joy again.
So, in honor of my parents, every December I earnestly strive to #LighttheWorld. Last year, among other things, we handed out “Blessing Bags” to people on the street in New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah with my parents’ picture included. For me, the key to peace is to minister to others.
What does true joy mean to you? Why is it important?
It’s kind of hard to describe, isn’t it? But we know it when we feel it! It’s the feeling I get when all of my children and grandchildren are home for a visit. It’s the feeling I have when I’ve done something good for someone else. It’s the feeling we have when we are listening to a child sharing their childlike appreciation for life. It’s the feeling I get when I am appreciating the beauty of nature alone (I was raised in the foothills of the Sierra mountains so this feels like home to me). It’s the feeling I get when I live a purposeful life/day/week. It’s the feeling I get when I am in tune with and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost to bless the lives of our Heavenly Father’s children. And it’s the feeling we get when we see a glimpse of our true potential; we see what God sees not only in us but in all of His children!
And that’s why it’s important. We were truly meant to have this joy in our lives! I believe joy is an emotion that we are allowed to feel when we are doing what the Lord would have us do. It’s like a signal from heaven, not only as a sign that we have His approval but also as a message of what’s to come when we arrive home. Think about it — when we are free from all the challenges of this life that bog us down and distract us, the only thing we will feel when we reach heaven will be pure joy!!! And what a blessing to have moments of that heavenly emotion to reassure us while we are here on earth!
Is there any other advice you would give to a person wanting to feel more peace and joy in their life?
It might sound impossible, and sometimes it is, but I would say – Slow Down and Be Intentional!!! My life is always full, too full. When I experienced the loss of my parents, suddenly I was forced to slow down. Because of my grief I wasn’t able to do the things I had previously done. I wasn’t productive. I was paralyzed in a way. And had I not continued to process and seek for guidance and even desire to overcome, I would probably still be in that dark place. But, like when I was newly married and feeling sorry for myself that no one spoke to me, I CHOSE to heal. We all have the power within us to feel peace and joy! We just have to CHOOSE to figure out how we can personally make that happen for ourselves. And the Lord wants to help us!
Who is someone in your life that radiates joy? What can you learn from them?
Edited by Kali Hansen
Photo from unsplash by Nicole Honeywill
No Comments