There is a lie that many of us believe that if what we are doing isn’t the easiest or the most enjoyable or exciting thing, then maybe we shouldn’t be doing it. This mindset breeds discontentment and people have a harder time finding joy in the day-to-day things of life.
In a culture surrounded by quotes such as “Do what makes you happy”, “Do what is best for you” or “Never give up on your dreams”, it can be easy to fall into the trap of believing that our lives have to be extraordinary to be fulfilling or have a purpose. Many of us can relate to working jobs or doing tasks that don’t always feel like they have much purpose in the moment. Maybe you work in administration and being on a computer all day feels monotonous. Maybe you are a stay-at-home mom and the routine of picking up toys and making lunches just to do it all over again the next day starts to feel draining. Maybe going to the gym every day doesn’t always excite you, so you start to question if you should continue going. Even while running errands, you are constantly thinking about what you need to be doing next, and wish that you could simply pass this kind of stuff off to someone else.
The reality is, that despite occasional excitement, the majority of our days are mundane. The problem with living for the next big thing is that you will eventually look back and realize that you missed out on so much of life's goodness because you were so focused on the future.
Although looking to the future and having goals is a good thing, we don’t want our goals to make us so nearsighted that we cannot also see what is right in front of us.
Joy is not found in our circumstances, but in a deep-seated understanding that you have all that you need and have been blessed far more abundantly than you deserve. Taking the time to change your perspective surrounding the monotony of life, will help you to enjoy the small things in life.
Instead of dreading waking up and going to work, you now remind yourself how much of a gift your job is because it provides for you and your family. Taking care of your children every day becomes an exciting opportunity to love them and teach them. While going to the gym you recognize the reward of delayed gratification and continue to show up because it improves your quality of life in the long term.
Our mission at LRX is to help you discover balance in the way you live, train, and rest. We strongly believe that living a joyful life is the most rewarding way to live. We hope that you also can alter your perspective to find joy in all of your endeavors.