The Joy Diet - Chapter 6 - Treats

Well, today my copy of The Joy Diet by Martha Beck was due back at the public library and that coincided perfectly with my feeling of being finished with it, even though there are few more chapters left.
As I was reading about rewarding ourselves with treats for risks we take and just because we are who we are, I thought that I am way ahead of that. I thought that about the last chapter when I couldn't reconcile her view of taking risks with what I know works for me, and reading this chapter, I realized that I had figured this all out for myself years ago - I just look at it slightly differently.
Here are a few of the things I've learned (for myself) in the last fifteen years or so (and these are not in any particular order):

1. True happiness has to be cultivated from the inside out - it cannot be made dependent on outside circumstances.
2. How I feel is always my own decision - nobody can ever make me feel a certain way.
3. In every situation, I have a choice - not what others should or shouldn't be doing, but: how will I respond to this situation. Will respond from love or fear?
4. As soon as I make others' behavior responsible for my happiness, I'm in trouble.
   
5. Life will continue to bring what it does, but I know that if I have a bad day, it will pass. And I've experienced enough real tragedy in my life that I know I can weather any storm.
   
6. When I'm experiencing a difficult situation, I try to find just one good thought (about the situation or totally unrelated). And then another. And another. And before I know it, I'm feeling much better and often the difficult situation resolves itself.
7. Sometimes letting go and relaxing into life is as important if not more so than working hard and trying to make something happen.
   
8. Kindness is a must - toward others and myself!
9. At the end of my life nothing will matter to me except how fully I've lived, how happy I have been, and how much happiness and joy I have spread to others.
   
10. There's probably more, but that looks pretty good for now...
    

How do I know that this works for me? I've been practicing these things every day for years, really cultivating an attitude of finding the good in everything and everyone, and find that I am now living a joyful life, where my dreams continue to come true. What used to take much discipline has become a way of life and it's changed my life.

I am very aware though that not two of us are alike, and I am sure that this list of wisdom gained from life is different for each of us. As it should be! I like to be inspired in my life and I found that The Joy Diet was more motivational than inspirational, and for me that doesn't work very well. For others this might be the book that changes their lives. Isn't the variety life offers wonderful?!

So, farewell Joy Diet - I've gained some wonderful insights and am happy I participated in this discussion hosted by the lovely Jamie Ridler. Wishing you all continued joy with this book! I am off on my own joyful journey once again...

P.S. I'll have more art to show soon!!