Being stressed filters life through a distorted lens. Being uptight and worried makes it really hard to see what’s right with the world. Whatever tends to be the biggest issue in life tends to be the biggest focus. If stress is looming large, stressful things may be all you can see. 

One of the biggest weapons against stress is gratitude. Seeing life with a grateful heart can help increase joy and happiness... even when there’s a lot of stress. 

You can be intentional about seeking joy through gratitude. There are lots of ways to be grateful and intentionally focus on finding joy. Here are a few: 

Start a gratitude journal: Journals are a great way to refocus your frame of mind and find joy in the smallest of things. Intentionally writing down things you are joyful for can help you overcome stress and wash away the negativity. There is always something to be grateful for, and journaling helps emphasize what’s right even when things feel wrong. 

Find a gratitude partner: Wherever two or more people come together with the same intention, there is power. Find a partner to commit to sharing gratitude. Meet regularly to discuss positive topics and lift one another up. Use your time to validate one another and share high-quality time. 

Manage what you are exposed to: We are the sum of the things we do the most. The people we see, the foods we eat, and the things we allow into our world. Manage what you watch on television, what you read, and what you consume. Making sure things are as wholesome and positive as possible will help you filter out the negative influences and regulate the amount of joy and gratitude you experience. 

Mind your manners: Saying “please” and “thank you” are forms of gratitude. Being mindful of your manners and how you engage others will directly impact your experience with them. Being kindhearted and having a grateful heart will encourage others to do the same. Encourage your family to be kind to one another and reward your children when you catch them using their manners. 

Finding joy takes intentional action. Having a grateful heart helps joy stay front and center in your life. Whether you journal, find a buddy to keep you centered, or take time to smell more flowers, there is value in seeking joy on purpose through a grateful heart.

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