7 Severn

“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.”
St Luke ch2, v.1
Sourced: Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
Revised Edition.

A warm welcome to one and all, as we enter a 9 week state of joyous emotion and discussion. Where we will be covering: –

*Content: Thankful – Pleased.
*Happy: Amused – Delighted.
*Cheerful: Jovial – Playful.
*Proud: Triumphant – Illustrious.
*Optimistic: Eager – Hopeful.
*Enthusiastic: Excited – Zealous.
*Elated: Euphoric – Jubilant.
*Enthralled: Enchanted – Rapturous.

Take a couple of minutes to look at those words in turn. As you do so, ask yourself:

What meaning do they have to me?
Are they familiar to me, in meaning and experience? 

We move through all emotional states at various times in life, as you will know.
Do those words stir something in you, in this moment?

The Britannica Dictionary states: –

Joy:
A feeling of great happiness.
A source or cause of great happiness. 
Something or someone that gives joy to someone.
Success in doing, finding, or getting something.

We have moved on in these discussions, from when we initially looked at what could be called negative states and turned them towards betterment.

Now we are in what could be called positive states and we should embrace them for all they are worth.
So what are they worth?
This depends on the value you have for them. The same word for instance, can and does have a different meaning to two different people. This depends on one another’s understanding. Words are, after all – just words – until you understand them.

Take a casual look back at how your day went yesterday and give it a broad overview comment, such as:
* I’m glad that’s over with.
* It was ok.
* I absolutely loved it!

Now expand on those comments.
How were you feeling during the day to make you glad it was over with?
More importantly, note you actually flip the situation by now being glad.
What was OK about it?
What was so great, that you absolutely loved it?

You see, the power in which you deliver your description, defines your feeling. The power of that feeling is what ails or aides you.
It is all about the feeling you have at any given time. All we ever really want is to feel good.

Knowing this. We begin to see where we may take ownership of our lives and look forward to each day in the best way we can.

Begin your day by visualising how it will play out: –
Are you optimistic about the day and enthusiastic of what is to come?
Do you venture out in a happy and cheerful mood?
Are there moments where you’re elated, enthralled and proud to be a part of it?
At the days end, where you reflect upon it. Are you content?

“When you come to the end of a perfect day,
And you sit alone with your thought,
While the chimes ring out with a carol gay for the joy that the day has brought,
Do you think what the end of a perfect day can mean to a tired heart,
When the sun goes down with a flaming ray,
And the dear friends have to part?
‘A Perfect Day’ 1910 song by American Songwriter Carrie Jacob Bond.
Sourced: Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
Revised Edition.

Thank you for reading.

Next Week. We’re discussing: Content: Thankful – Pleased.