(from Max Lucado) Try these seven strategies the next time you find yourself trapped in a day that holds more than you think you can bear. You'll be surprised at how freeing they are.
1. Fret Not
Anxiety will ruin your day. And it can be a real confidence-killer. Just assume that everybody likes you. It won't be such a menacing place any more.
2. Forgive Freely
Forgive easily. Don't let anybody else rob you of your joy. Forgiveness is not about saying that what a person did is okay or that they're right. It's about making a decision, a choice to let the hurt and anger go. Forgive someone and discover that the person has virtually no power to hurt you anymore. It frees you to move on and focus on what you really care about: the joy of life.
3. Fear Not
You cannot run from your fears. Fear is a joy-killer. It can make you stressed out, short-tempered, and unhappy. The opposite of fear is trust. I do better when I trust in God who is in control of my life. Place your fear in God's hands, and you will find that you have greater peace each day.
4. Live Passionately
Discover your passion by looking back over your life for those sweet-spot moments where you've had "YES!" experiences. String those together, and you will begin to see new possibilities for your life. Nothing gives the day greater joy than a good wallop of passion that comes from doing something from your soul.
5. Get Over It!
Quit looking for things to bellyache about. Face each day determined to dwell on the positives. Write a list about what you have to look forward to. Try lending an ear to someone in need. Be especially kind to people with whom you have only one encounter--a waiter, a store clerk, etc. You may have only one chance to be kind. When you start living for others, it's pretty hard not to get over whatever's bothering you.
6. Collect Your Blessings
Recognize all that you have, and finding blessings to collect will become easy. The key to a joyous day? Make gratitude your default emotion. Expect good things to happen. Seek people out who can encourage you. Over time you'll find that God's list of blessings is longer than your list of burdens.
7. Color Your World
When something goes wrong, as it inevitably will, practice the previous steps, passionately. (Forgive, don't fret or fear, count your blessings, and most of all, GET OVER IT!) It is never too late for the day to be a joyous one. The world is full of vibrant color. Don't let it lose an ounce of its luster. Assume this day is going to be good, and it will. God made it so.
Work hard, and finish the race strong!
(From Guideposts December '07)
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