THE POWER OF A JOYFUL START

Early in the morning when the sun had barely risen as I opened my eyes a feeling of peace and warmth washed over me instead of hitting snooze and feeling groggy I took a deep breath and smiled right there I made a promise to myself that no matter how the day unfolded I would start with a joyful countenance and it wasn't just about today it was going to be my new way of living it became my early morning routine

As I stood up and stretched I felt the subtle but refreshing sensation of waking up with purpose My morning routine was no longer just a series of tasks every moment became a mindful one brewing my coffee became a moment of mindfulness and as I took my first sip I savoured the warmth Each morning I began with a practice of gratitude thinking of at least five things I was thankful for and that five normal graduate's to ten to twenty to more This simple act shifted my mindset from any worries or lingering stress from the day day to a deep appreciation for what I had
Looking at the mirror I didn't just see my reflection I saw potential I made a conscious effort to smile at myself even of it forced at first I was starting to realize that my facial expressions influences my inner mood so I was determined to make that inner mood a joyful one and my joyful countenance became the foundation for the rest of the day

By the time I stepped out for work I had already set the tone for a positive day the air outside was cool and crisp and I began taking notes of the little things that made our day beautiful like the birds hopping from branches to branches singing with sweet melody the sun that is beginning to break through the clouds the gentle rustling of the leaves I embraced those moments fully feeding a deep connection to the world around me instead of rushing through the day I took time to savor every moment knowing that each small piece could bring me joy if I allowed it and off course we're now in the gane together

(image of me)
With that joyful mindset I carried to work the usual pressure and deadline didn't overwhelm me as they had in the past and instead of becoming stressed or frustrated I faced each task with optimism and calm even when unexpected challenges arose I was able to approach them with curiosity rather than fear I learnt to see setbacks as Opportunities to grow rather than obstacles it also reflected in my interactions with colleagues I smiled when I greeted people and my positive energy seems to be contagious because everyone became more vibrant than the usual even when a co worker seemed down I made it a point to ask if everything was ok and genuinely listened my joyful attitude created an environment of openness and support and the productivity and collaboration that followed were seamless

I began to realize how my choice to approach life with joy had begun to change my perspective entirely things that once felt burdensome now seemed more manageable I found myself handling even the most stressful moments with grace the relationship I nurtured deepened as I truly took the time to connect and uplift others around me it became my everyday lifestyle taking time to reflect smile and set a positive intention for the day ahead this small act of choosing joy in the morning spilled over into the rest of my day shaping my reactions my productivity and my interactions the more I practiced it the more natural it became I learned that joy didn't have to come from external circumstances or big achievement but it could be found in the little things like the sun on my face a shared laugh with a friend the satisfaction of completing a small task each of this moments when embraced with gratitude became the foundation of a fulfilling day

(image of me)
As weeks passed my lifestyle became more intentional I recognized that joy was not just something I felt it was something I could cultivate every single day I started to make time for the things that truly brought me joy especially reading writing walking spending time with my family and most importantly taking care of my mental health Each of them contributed to the joy I carried with me throughout the day
I realized that starting my day with a joyful countenance wasn't just about improving one day it was about shaping my life this shift in mindset had transformed my routine making everyday feel more meaningful and blessed
And I went to bed each night with a sense of fulfillment knowing that the next day I would again choose joy setting the stage for yet another fruitful day