A fit body generates energy, just as a sound mind generates happiness. It’s no coincidence – to attain optimal health and boundless energy, it’s crucial to consume specific foods and drinks while avoiding others. The same applies if your goal is weight loss or muscle gain. Embrace foods that align with your objectives and steer clear of those that detract from them. To put it simply, choose this, not that. Though this may seem like common knowledge, it’s not always easy to put into practice for those looking to transform their bodies or boost their energy levels.
Same way achieving joy starts with a strong determination to minimize thoughts that decrease joy and maximize thoughts that increase joy. In other words, you need to change your mental diet. Choose to think this, not that. After all, joy is the essence of emotional well-being.
You can hear and learn ideas of joys with proven examples from Sadguru, an Indian scholar:
Loss of joy may be a sign of a mental health problem — or it may be a normal response. Maybe it is a normal response, loss of joy from everyday life can be a clear sign of mental disorder leading to a sustained mental health problem. (Dr. Stephanie Collier, the director of education in the division of geriatric psychiatry at McLean Hospital)
Life is a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but sometimes it can feel like everything is going wrong at once. When you’re facing multiple difficult challenges, it’s normal to feel a loss of joy. From health issues and personal losses, to relationship breakups and housing difficulties, to natural disasters and other traumatic events, there are many reasons why someone might be feeling down. Unfortunately, most adults will experience multiple severe traumas and losses throughout their lives. In these situations, it’s important to remember that feeling a lack of joy is a natural part of the human experience.
Joy is the result of something strikingly simple, though not necessarily easy: consistently thinking joy-producing thoughts. As suggested by New York Time Best Selling Author Mr. Tommy Newberry, at any given moment we can consciously choose to:
Think excellent thoughts, not mediocre thoughts
The quality of your thoughts directly shapes the quality of your life. When you allow mediocre thoughts to fester – thoughts of self-doubt, negativity, or “good enough” – you unknowingly place limits on your potential for joy. But when you strive to think excellent thoughts – thoughts of possibility, abundance, and self-belief – you unlock an inner wellspring of motivation and optimism. As Norman Vincent Peale explores in “The Power of Positive Thinking,” each excellent thought sets a higher standard, building a stepping stone towards a more fulfilling, vibrant, and joyful experience of life.
Think focused thoughts, not scattered thoughts
A scattered mind is a restless mind, and a restless mind is rarely a joyful one. When your thoughts jump like startled birds – flitting from worry to distraction to the next shiny object – you lose the ability to be fully present. Focus is the key to unlocking the joy in the current moment. As Cal Newport discusses in his book, “Deep Work,” training your mind to think focused thoughts allows you to tap into a state of flow and deep satisfaction. Each moment of concentration builds your mental muscle, allowing you to bring more intention and joy to each task and interaction.
- think excellent thoughts, not mediocre thoughts;
- think focused thoughts, not scattered thoughts;
- think fresh, exciting thoughts, not stale, boring thoughts;
- think compassionate thoughts, not harsh thoughts;
- think innovative thoughts, not common thoughts;
- think loving thoughts, not indifferent thoughts;
- think energetic thoughts, not exhausted thoughts;
- think constructive thoughts, not destructive thoughts;
- think helpful thoughts, not hurtful thoughts;
- think successful thoughts, not failure thoughts;
- think faith thoughts, not fear thoughts;
- think fit thoughts, not fat thoughts;
- think bold thoughts, not comfort thoughts;
- think opportunity thoughts, not security thoughts;
- think giving thoughts, not getting thoughts;
- think serving thoughts, not self-centered thoughts;
- think grateful thoughts, not entitled thoughts;
- think abundant thoughts, not lacking thoughts;
- think responsible thoughts, not irresponsible thoughts;
- think reconciliation thoughts, not retaliation thoughts;
- think principled thoughts, not popular thoughts;
- think positive thoughts, not negative thoughts;
- think thoughts of victory, not thoughts of defeat; or
- think about the promises of God, not the problems of this world.