I love this quote and believe in it with all of my heart. I am conscientiously choosing to be joyful each day...even if it's really damn hard sometimes. Even if I have to work really hard at choosing happiness, I believe it's really important!
I've certainly gotten sucked into the vortex of complaining and negativity. But you know what? It's malignant. And exhausting. And I much prefer joy.
How about you? What do you choose?
xoxo
S
Well I'm choosing happy and its right up there with joy. Its been my one little word for about the past 3 years and really works for me:)
Posted by: Vicki Parker | 02/18/2014 at 03:33 PM
Oh yes, joy for me too please Stephanie. I have a little boy, the littlest of three, and he exudes utter joy all day every day in everything he does. He is absolutely thrilled with life. Always. When I need to remember joy, I watch him skipping down the street or laughing out loud. About half of the pictures I have of him, he is literally flying through the air, jumping. For joy.
Posted by: CJ | 02/18/2014 at 03:49 PM
Take joy in the fact that you do not have an old basset hound with righteous anal glands. Stinky, outrageous, boot scootin' boogie, anal glands. Sleeping and DROOLING on my new pottery barn sequined pillow. I am taking joy that his stinky, drooling self is still alive and although he is very grouchy, he still brings us TREMENDOUS joy.
Posted by: amanda | 02/18/2014 at 04:01 PM
Joy was my One Little Word in 2012 and it has been my favorite word ever. In fact, I haven't really moved past it. I also believe that you can choose to be joyful - maybe not all the time but a lot of the time. It can be hard to make that choice sometimes but it is so worth it. So, here's to joy and wishing you lots more of it.
Posted by: Cathie | 02/18/2014 at 04:07 PM
I've had "rejoice" as a personal "goal" for the past few years. A great reminder to me each year (and it really should be every day) is Philippians 4:4-- "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (and then the verses that follow, too!)
A sermon I once heard on this topic spoke to the fact that as believers, we always have a cause for rejoicing: we should always be rejoicing in our salvation. No matter what our circumstances, whether it's little things or big things that are going wrong, NOTHING can take away our salvation, and that is the most important thing in all eternity. It's quite a convicting message, don't you think? Wow.
Thank you for the reminder to rejoice. It's been a hard day, but I need to rejoice in the Lord.
Posted by: Natalie (QSOgirl) | 02/18/2014 at 05:02 PM
I believe life is all about choices. Choose joy. Choose happy.
Posted by: keely | 02/18/2014 at 05:15 PM
Yes, yes, yes!
Posted by: Ashley | 02/18/2014 at 05:46 PM
Definitely joy! :)
Posted by: Mary Jo | 02/18/2014 at 07:43 PM
Definitely choose joy!
Posted by: Pam | 02/18/2014 at 08:05 PM
This is so true!!!! I'm at a real crossroads right now, but just this week I have been able to embrace what I can change, but let go of what I cannot. Here's hoping that I can keep it up, thx so much for sharing!
Posted by: Michelle Bazeley | 02/18/2014 at 09:45 PM
What do I choose? I choose to read your blog everyday and laugh and cry and rejoice in the good that you share and hold you in my thoughts during the trials you face. And it's not damn hard (sorry but that line made me bust up). ;)
Posted by: Alison | 02/19/2014 at 12:08 AM
I choose JOY and relish the love, peace and contentment that are its constant companion.
Posted by: Trish | 02/19/2014 at 07:40 AM
Joy !!!! Hey did you pick a winner yet for your giveaway?
Posted by: Lisa Martin | 02/19/2014 at 07:58 AM
Negativity definitely breeds itself. That's when I stop and make a list (on paper!) of things I'm grateful for. Yay for choosing joy!
Posted by: angela ezzell | 02/19/2014 at 08:34 AM
No. Not yet. Thanks for your patience!
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 02/19/2014 at 08:46 AM
Will Bowen wrote a book called "happy THIS year" and it was life changing to me in how I look at happiness as a choice and not an emotion.
You can get it via audio book or kindle download if your library doesn't have it.
It is SO GOOD.
Posted by: Linda R | 02/24/2014 at 12:10 AM
I was just looking at your scrap pages for inspiration and stumbled upon this one. It made me think of this post. : )
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/gallery/member/253081-stephanie-howell/1387619-i-choose-joy-studio-calico-september/
Posted by: angela ezzell | 02/27/2014 at 04:33 PM
It has been a while since I came visiting from little New Zealand and so I am catching up on your family. I love the word Joy but for me it goes in hand with Kindness...can't have enough of either in this world of ours. Blessings from this Kiwi Chick
Posted by: Pauline Parker | 03/15/2014 at 08:28 PM