Choose Joy & Grow Into Your Best Self

When you get to interview the queen of joy you can't help but walk away with more happiness and excitement for life. Cindi Cohn is the author of More Joy: 52 Weeks of Moving Forward Joyfully which was released on September 3, 2022. In our interview, Cindi describes joy as a choice that needs to be made on a daily basis. The idea that some people have dream lives without worry, pain, fear, or unhappiness is far from realistic. Often on social media platforms, we see people seemingly living their best, most successful lives. It seems that some people always have a smile on their faces, and plenty of money and happiness to go along with it. It's important to remember that these are just outward projections and that everyone, no matter how joyful or successful they seem, can have down days and suffer from things like suicidal thoughts, depression, or anxiety. The point Cindi makes is a powerful one because no matter what circumstances you are facing in life you can still choose joy. When you begin to choose joy your life begins to change and in a very short amount of time you can begin to heal.

According to the CDC, suicide is the leading cause of death in the United States and causes one death every 11 minutes. It is incredible to think about how many lives that equates to on an annual basis. It is common for people to feel lost, without hope, are in fear or pain, and carry a great deal of pressure with them at all times. There are silent struggles we are all facing and going through and it is important to remember that no one is above this and that no matter what outward appearances seem, no one's life is perpetually perfect. Comparison tends to be a thief of joy so if you ever start comparing yourself to others just remember you are robbing yourself of joy and that no one's life is perfect. We are all capable of producing joy within us and when we choose joy it creates a ripple effect that has the power and capacity to impact others. Even the simple act of smiling at someone can have an impact on them, even complete strangers. It has been proven that smiling increases endorphins and tricks your brain into thinking it's happier. Smiling also carries with it a positive resonating power that others benefit from. Cindi and I discussed the ripple effect that our energy has in our lives and how we choose what we attract around us. If for example, we wake up in the morning dreading the day ahead and saying things like "today is going to be horrible, I can feel it" or "I know today is going to be one of those days" you are setting yourself up for failure. What if instead you changed the narrative and said "today is going to be amazing and filled with opportunity" or "today is going to be a breakthrough for me." By changing the narrative to one of positivity and joy you are actively setting yourself up for a better day ahead and if you do this enough you are setting yourself up for a better life.

As I reflect on my life and contemplate on lessons learned, one of my major lessons has been not to attach myself to outcomes. I have found that when we attach ourselves to particular outcomes, disappointment is almost always inevitable. It also can lead to us not enjoying the journey of life and instead focusing too much on the destination. One of my most powerful life lessons to date has been this. I have found that the journey is oftentimes more joyful and powerful than the destination ever could imagine itself to be. As Cindi stated in our interview, we all need to be reminded from time to time to let go of our attachments to outcomes and to focus on the journey and lessons at hand. When you have a mind focused on future outcomes or past realities it is nearly impossible to experience joy. This is why living in a present state of mind is so transformational and powerful, it allows your mind to experience joy more fully.

I hope that everyone reading this newsletter begins to understand that they have the power to choose joy and to live a better, more fulfilled life. Joy is a daily choice and it needs to be made into a habit. By choosing joy you are attracting more of it into your life until eventually, joy becomes a daily state of mind and a way of life. I had a friend say to me once that seeing joy after being in darkness for some time can be blinding at first. When someone begins to see their way out of a depressive state and joy begins to come into their life it can seem like walking out of a cave into a bright room. Your eyes take time to adjust to the bright white light and it may sting a bit at first. However, over time your eyes begin to focus and see everything clearly. A similar change occurs when we are in a joyful state of mind. Our vibration increases and we begin to see things more clearly. When we make the active choice every day to choose joy our lives become truly worth living.

Please choose joy. Remember that suicide is not the answer and that your life is worth living. You have a unique purpose on this earth and you are here for a powerful reason. If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or depression, there is hope and a way out. Please know that your life is valuable and that you have people that are rooting for you to succeed and overcome your adversity.

Help is available to you: Dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Thank you for reading my newsletter! Please subscribe for weekly inspiration.

Follow Tara Gooch & Best Branding Solutions:

• Connect with Tara Gooch on LinkedIn-->?Tara LaFon Gooch, MBA
• Follow Best Branding Solutions on LinkedIn-->?Best Branding Solutions, LLC.
• Visit our website: www.bestbranding.solutions

Follow Cindi Cohn & Buy Her Book:

• Connect with Cindi Cohn on LinkedIn--> Cindi Cohn

Like this newletter? Every week I write about topics centered around growth. Please share this newsletter with friends, family, neighbors and connections. Your support makes a world of difference. Thank you!