How to Spot Negative Patterns and Replace Them with Joy

Over ten years, ago I did not love my life and the "solution" was to literally drown my emotions and problems with alcohol.  I say "solution" because I didn't really solve anything until I got sober in 2015. My overactive drinking was moving me closer to death than it was life.  

While I've been sober for 9 years now that doesn't mean that there aren't difficulties in my life.  At six months sober, I unexpectedly lost my Mom and became my Dad's power of attorney.  That was a huge learning curve but with help from God and some helpful people, I got through it.  A little over a year after losing my Mom, my Dad passed away.  That brought some challenges but I made it through with God plus loving family and friends.

While I will admit that I am looking forward to retirement, I still have a while before that can happen.  I got in a period of some real stinking thinking which you can read about in a previous blog post My Hard Heart and Stinking Thinking.  A Joyce Meyer podcast while I was driving to the Columbus office, made me realize what I was doing which was blaming other people for my misery when it was my perception that was the real issue. 

When I reflect on my life, I realize it's quite good. I have shelter, clothing, and enough food. Many people would be grateful for just one of those necessities, yet I have them all. In fact, I own more clothes than I actually need and have an excess of food.

Does that mean my life without problems?  Absolutely not.  One of our vehicles has met it's end.  Dealing with it has been complicated and not as easy as having someone to come haul it away.  

As I wrote in Change of life or life changes it is Change Regardless, I embarking on my menopause journey. I debated whether to write that blog post but I'm glad that I did because some friends who read it shared their experiences with me.  

When I first kicked off this blog, I had visions of raking in a few extra bucks for retirement. You know, just pocket change to help me sip iced coffee on a beach somewhere. But as luck would have it, my blog just isn't the type that attracts ads. At first, I grumbled about it. Who doesn't want to earn a little cash, right? But then I realized, this might actually be a blessing in disguise. Without the distraction of ads, I can focus on what really matters to me.

Instead of cluttering my pages with blinking banners and pop-up ads, I get to dive deep into scripture and explore everyday topics. Writing about faith and life brings me joy. I find more satisfaction in crafting an article that resonates with people than in the mere pennies I might have earned from an ad click. Each time I uncover a passage or insight, it fuels my passion for writing. I can share meaningful stories and reflections without worrying about keeping up with ad revenue.

Every article I produce feels like a little piece of my heart. I’m not just filling a space; I’m connecting with others on common experiences. It's rewarding to think that someone might read my words and find a spark of inspiration or comfort. That’s worth more to me than any cash I could have made from ads. It's funny how things work out sometimes. What I initially saw as a setback turned into an opportunity to enrich my writing and connect with readers in a more genuine way.

Mastering the art of loving life means finding joy in everyday moments and embracing each experience fully. It’s about appreciating the little things, like a sunny day or a good meal, while also being open to new adventures. When you focus on positivity and gratitude, you start to see the beauty around you, even in tough times. This mindset can change how you connect with others and help you build deeper relationships. Ultimately, loving life is about making choices that bring happiness and fulfillment, creating a life that feels rich and rewarding.

Resources:

Ryan Robinson Blogging Tools

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