Being Joyful

[bobballen_18]

Hello all,

I am directing this primarily to anyone who as gone through an extended time in their life during which they felt as if they were depressed, or if not depressed, just have a serious personality, if you know what I mean.

I am wondering, how do you become more joyful? Is joy a grace from God, or is there anything we humans can do to change our mood? I mean, sometimes I know I’m not very joyful, but I can’t very well make myself be joyful. I can fake it (sometimes) but that doesn’t really work or do anything to actually make me be joyful. I know joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit - are we given fruits of the Holy Spirit, or what? I guess my overall question is, what can an individual do to become more joyful, when it seems one cannot force oneself to be joyful?

Then I guess a secondary question is, if one can’t make oneself joyful, is that bad? Is it sufficient for living a Christian life, to be kind and considerate towards everyone, in their own way? By “not being joyful” I don’t mean being rude or anything like that, I just mean, not necessarily displaying many positive emotions.

Any insight or comments will be appreciated!

 

[Richard_White]

From a nonreligious standpoint, being joyful can come from having a job you enjoy, spending quality time with family, friends, etc. From a religious standpoint, trust in God, who is the ultimate epitome of joy. May God bless you and yours!

 

[Dorothy]

One’s life needs to be balanced. Time for prayer and worship, time for family, time for work, time for recreation and hobbies. If one is retired and widowed a good idea is to volunteer regularly where you would like to be helpful.

Sometimes people get into a stagnant lifestyle and don’t make an effort to reach out to others. If they have some problems and dwell only on them that can lead to depression.

 

[ClearWater]

If we are talking about a chronic depression, which seems unrelated to circumstances, lasting years, as you say. To me, that in itself, concerns me.

Most people experience depression related to circumstances…death of a loved one, divorce, after giving birth to a baby. Then, the depression generally passes. Other kinds of depression, ones that are probably genetically inherited, caused by hormone deficiencies of menopause and such, might not.

Does your family have a history of depression?

There are a lot of reasons for depression, and I’ve seen a lot of people think they can cure depression just by smiling. All I can say is that if it’s truly chronic depression, it might need something else.

There are a whole range of causes of depression, from not enough thyroid hormone right on up.

It’s hard to tell if this depression is something passing or needs a second look.

 

[ClearWater]

I’ve heard it said that sadness is like the equivalent of a cold. Depression would be the equivalent of cancer.

 

[CradleJourney]

Hello all,

I am directing this primarily to anyone who as gone through an extended time in their life during which they felt as if they were depressed, or if not depressed, just have a serious personality, if you know what I mean.

I am wondering, how do you become more joyful? Is joy a grace from God, or is there anything we humans can do to change our mood? I mean, sometimes I know I’m not very joyful, but I can’t very well make myself be joyful.

(BTW - before I forget - thank you for the reminder to seek the chance to be joyful).

I’m a fairly serious person, been through periods of depression, but even inbetween those, I tend to be more …concerned? Not exactly the best word for it, but it’s what comes to my brain right now - not exactly worried, but concerned about what needs done, who needs what, what might happen - and if it does what’s the best way for me to respond, etc. Ex. My son plays soccer - and while I’m happy for him to play and enjoy watching, part of my brain is always preparing for if he gets hurt, if he has trouble with a teammate or coach, etc.

Anyway - JOY (to me) is when I forget all of that and live in the moment in harmony with God. Sometimes it involves happiness - sometimes not. But I like the saying about joy being a true sign of God’s presence.

So - to experience more joy I find it helpful to a) shut off all the things going on in my brain that I can control, b) relax into God’s arms - trusting fully that all will be well, and c) seeking out places/experiences outside our normal routine to help me focus on what’s outside of me rather than what’s going on inside of me.

Getting out into nature seems to work well for this. Had some of my best joy moments rafting down a river, sitting on a rock in the sunlight, and chasing a butterfly (forgetting entirely about whether or not I was too old to do such a thing).

 

[jediknight]

I have wondered at times is it possibly that depression is a weapon or tool that is of use to satan, ?

I have had depression in my life since I was a child, plenty of reasons for it, and plenty of very real answers on how to lessen it, but even when I was doing the things that are advised to make ones life better, I was still not joyful or happy, not really. So I had to start looking at what in life is making me happy and why, an I came back to my faith being the answer, I do have small moment of peace and joy while praying the Rosary, I have solitude from my problems at mass and in adoration, and my prayer life all of that stuff I mentioned combined I see myself as a good person, and my spiritual life worth living because for what ever reason God won’t let me give up on life even though every day I want to. So how do I use this … I am working on that.

 

[Teese]

You are right in that you can’t “make” yourself joyful and I think the effort to do so could add to the feeling of being down.

I’m one of those “sunny” personality types, so from that side of the equation I can say yes there are many very healthy personalities that are of a serious type.

Obviously I don’t know you, and I don’t know if you’re talking clinical depression, a sadness or just a more sedate personality. I just want to say we’re all different types and there’s nothing wrong with being a quiet, kind and serious Christian. We were all made with different gifts. Your calming personality will draw people to you that a more gregarious type will not.

Isn’t that what it’s all about, you living a life that exemplifies the Christian ideals and causes others to want to do the same. God made you the way you are so you could be there for those who are more comfortable with your more intense personality.

Just my two cents worth.