May 16, 2022
Dennis Prager, a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and author wrote…
For much of my life, I, like most people, regarded the pursuit of happiness as largely a selfish pursuit. One of the great revelations of middle age has been that happiness, far from being only a selfish pursuit, is a moral demand.
When we think of character traits we rightly think of honesty, integrity, moral courage, and acts of altruism. Few people include happiness in any list of character traits or moral achievements.
But happiness is both.
Happiness - or at least acting happy, or at the very least not inflicting one’s unhappiness on others - is no less important in making the world better than any other human trait.
With some exceptions, happy people make the world better and unhappy people make it worse. If being a happy person is a moral responsibility, how much more so is being a joyful person? Happiness skims the surface; joy is rooted deep within. We are commanded to be joyful not merely for our own benefit but for the benefit of everyone else in our lives. “Joy is a decision, a really brave one, about how you are going to respond to life.” - Wess Stafford
7 Things to Give Up IF You Want To Experience True Joy [by Project Inspired]
Complaining
Blaming others
Negative self-talk
Dwelling on the past
Resistance to change
Needing approval of others
Doubting the plan for your life