Finding Joy

 

Finding joy despite the hard times. This is a difficult task. Especially now. I hate to be the downer, but the last few weeks have been hard for me. I have had to flip shifts to help cover nights due to staffing needs. I feel like I am one of the zombies from the walking dead!  My eye bags have gotten full!

 Also, we have seen so many of our patients die lately.  It is hard, not only for me, but for all the nurses and pca's that I work with.  It just isn't covid, but covid isn't helping the situation either. The work is hard mentally and physically. But as a nurse, I have taken on this profession through it all. 

I am determined to find joy in the midst of all of this.  It will only bring you down more if I keep my mind on the negative. And I think I would lose my mind if I did this. I do not want to lose my joy in life from everything going on in our world. It seems that there have always been things going on in the world, but until it affects you personally, you really don't see it. Life just goes on.  Now that for the last year and half, covid has hit us all, we are feeling the reactions our bodies have to this stress. 

So I have decided to find joy in each day, even if it is one thing I can only think of.  I am sure I can think of a few.....

A smile.....hug..... holding Robby's hand....daisy's.....grilled cheese....foot rubs....Java chip from starbucks!...hearing I Love You... doing something for someone to help them....my family... my friends...And I could name others as well...

How do you find joy? I find it by starting my day before my feet hit the floor with putting a smile on my face. You can't be mad, or depressed if you start the day with a smile. Then say, "thank you God for giving me another day to be alive." Look for ways to help someone's day better. Whether it is holding someone's hand, praying over them, or just listen to them. Buy their lunch, or if in a drive thru, buy the person behind you order. Mail someone a hand written letter or card. Yes snail mail! Don't you love it when you get mail?? Offer to babysit for someone. This will give you joy by helping the parents for a few hours, and joy by being a kid again and doing kid stuff. This gives you a reason to play like a child! You may need a day off after this, but it will be worth it.

Here is a few promises from God:

Romans 5:3-4; Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

1 Peter 5:10; And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Love to all,