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Think of a woman who looks younger than she really is. What does she look like? Is she cheerful and optimistic or sullen and serious? Most likely the woman you pictured is smiling broadly, exuding joy wherever she goes. When she walks into a room, people can’t help but notice her 1000-watt smile and natural charisma.
When you boil it down, looking young is about looking healthy and happy. But wait a minute. Isn’t happiness an emotion you feel only when things go your way? Isn’t a happy life something out of your control, reserved only for the lucky ones who get the best breaks?
In his book, Happiness Is a Serious Problem, author and radio talk-show host Dennis Prager writes:
The notion that happiness must be constantly worked at comes as news, disconcerting news, to many people. They assume that happiness is a feeling and that this feeling comes as a result of good things that happen to them. We therefore have little control over how happy we are, the thinking goes, because we can control neither how we feel nor what happens to us. This book is predicated on the opposite premise: Happiness is largely, though certainly not entirely, determined by us, through hard work (most particularly by controlling our nature) and through attaining wisdom (developing attitudes that enable us not to despair).2
The Bible says it this way in Habakkuk 3:18, “I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Living with joy and happiness is a choice, an act of one’s will rather than a haphazard emotion.
Consider my two-year-old daughter, Noelle. Like all toddlers, she overreacts—if she is served milk in the green cup instead of the pink cup, she might go ballistic. But my husband, James, has taught her that whenever she throws a fit, she doesn’t get what she wants. Instead, she’s instructed to stop crying, ask nicely for what she wants with no whining, and even smile. James says, “Let me see your happy face,” and she shrivels up her face in the fakest smile you can imagine. But at least she’s trying. If a two-year-old can learn to act happy, even when she doesn’t feel like it, certainly you can too.
Happiness is not only an active choice of the will; it’s a commandment for the Christian. We’re instructed to “be joyful always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). The Amplified Version says it this way, “Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always),” and the Message says, “Be cheerful no matter what…this is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live” (vv. 16,18).
I have an edge when it comes to living cheerfully because I was raised by the happiest person I know, my mother. Mom doesn’t walk, she bounces. You hear her laughing and talking happily long before you see her. Growing up, my friends would always ask me, “Is your mom always this happy?” to which I would reply without hesitation, “Yes.”
She turned 60 this year, and once in a while people will still ask if we’re sisters. The source of my mother’s youth isn’t in her skin (she has age spots) or figure (she’s not a size six). It’s the joy factor. Her vitality radiates from her face—those bright eyes and that unstoppable smile.
I think my mom was born sunny-side up, but she’s also made choices in life that every woman can make to live happily ever after.
• Rejoice in the Lord and keep your focus on Him, not your circumstances.
• Believe the best about everyone.
• Don’t hold onto grudges.
• Champion the underdog.
• Look for ways to minister to others.
• Laugh often.
This year, my family had the opportunity to watch part of an Ironman 70.3 triathlon. Ironman 70.3 races include a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run. We saw numerous 40- and 50-somethings cross the finish line, and even a 69-year-old, but we were most inspired by the man using a racing wheelchair. He had no legs and was powering through those hot, rigorous miles using his upper body alone. As we cheered wildly for him, he looked up and stuck out his tongue as if to say, “Phew, this is tough.” But the twinkle in his eye revealed his joy. From joy comes great strength.
How’s your strength level today? You may or may not be ready to train for a triathlon, but do you live with a twinkle in your eye like that inspiring athlete in the wheelchair? The journey to looking younger begins within. Remember the beautiful words of hope found in Nehemiah 8:10, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Thought for Rejuvenation
Read this Scripture aloud:
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
I will build you up again
and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel.
Again you will take up your tambourines
and go out to dance with the joyful.”
(Jeremiah 31:3-4)
Write down one way God has loved you and shown you loving-kindness this week.
Act of eXpression
What’s one thing you can do today to exude more joy in your life?
MY SEVEN FAVORITE FOODS TO BOOST YOUR MOOD
Oatmeal is packed with soluble fiber to lower blood sugar levels and reduce irritability.
Whole-Grain Bread contains a wide variety of the amino acids needed to keep your mood upbeat.
Salmon has omega-3 fatty acids that are used by the brain to produce neurotransmitters to stave off depression and repair brain cells needed to boost your mood.
Chicken has a high level of tyrosine, an amino acid that helps elevate levels of norepinephrine and dopamine. These chemicals are involved in the reaction time of your body, the motivation you feel, and possibly depression.
Leafy Greens are an excellent source of folic acid, a lack of which has been linked to depressed mood.
Milk is a great feel-good drink because calcium can help reduce your levels of stress and anxiety, and it contains tryptophan that helps your body produce serotonin, which elevates mood.
Bananas also contain tryptophan, plus they’re packed with potassium and vitamin B6 to regulate blood sugar and stabilize mood.