Depression is a real concern today. What comes to mind when one is depressed? Sadness, self-pity, blues, joyless? Perhaps one way to counter depression is to seek its opposite. Choose joy. We choose joy when we choose to turn away from things that take away our joy. It’s also been said: it’s not joy that makes us grateful but #gratitude that makes us joyful. Therefore choose to be grateful.
When I was in high school, we used to say ‘Huwag kang KJ!’ Don’t be a kill-joy. Who is a kill-joy? Anything or anyone who kills the joy of others or that of himself, is a KJ!
Are you happy when you see others happy? If yes, good for you. If no, why not? Honestly, I am not happy when I feel (s)he does not deserve it. I am not happy when I am envious.
Mr. Green-eyed monster is a KJ. He kills joy because he feels he deserves better. He is not happy when others who deserve less get more. He is envious because he is not grateful for what he has. The grass is often greener on the other side of the fence! Mr. Envious kills his own joy because he craves for what others have that he does not have. He is greedy.
There are two other JKs: Mr. Angry and Mr. Anxious. They are both joy-killers. Have you ever feel happy while being angry or worried?
The formula to kill anger is to let go and forgive. The antidote to worry is trust – let go of your worries and trust God. Do not worry for things that might never happen. Worry is for tomorrow. Live one day at a time.
How about Mr. Green-eyed Monster? How to let him go? Stop comparing yourself with others. Instead of looking at what others have, why not start counting your blessings and be grateful for all you have?
Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, be happy for others? The Bible teaches us to rejoice with those who rejoice. Don’t envy, be happy. 😊
One of the sanest, surest and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortunes of others. ~ Archibald Rutledge
