A little while ago I did one of those personality tests. I don’t remember the all of the results. But I do remember that one of my primary personality types is Melancholy. My hommies Merriam and Webster define Melancholy as depressed in spirits. I know what your thinking Chasing Joy, Melancholy, no way. But, I have to say I was not surprised. I actually find it to be quite accurate. If I am not careful my thoughts do tend veer off track and away from the happy place, toward worry, self doubt, and even envy This is why my focus must remain on Chasing Joy.
Here are 3 things I can stop doing right now to stay focused on Chasing Joy
- Stop comparing myself to others. Each of us has our own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. I’m not willing to take on other people weaknesses so I have no right to their strengths. My time is better spent leveraging my own strengths and improving my own weaknesses.
- Stop gossiping. I am not proud of the fact that I engage in this vice. I often find myself falling back on the gossip crutch when I run out of things to talk about. Note to self silence is OK. It is better to be silent than to say things I might regret.
- Stop worrying This is the hardest thing for me to stop doing. I am naturally a risk averse person. Risks, trouble, worry jump right out at me. Every time I catch myself worrying I am going to focus on saying my daily prayer:
Lord, please help me to control my thoughts. Please help me not to think about things that have not yet happened, have already happened, or things that I have already prayed over. Amen
What can yo stop doing right now to get you back on or keep you on track Chasing Joy???
#3 is the hardest for me. But as Joyce Meyer likes to say, if we know how to worry, then we know how to pray! That's one way to slay the worry giant!
I'm guilty of all 3, especially #1.
I put even more pressure on myself when I hear about someone else's accomplishment or promotion.
The third one is my biggest one — I really need to work on not worrying so much!!
Stop worrying so much about what other people think and stop being a hypochondriac – those would be a good start for me 🙂
Great list! I would add stop complaining and stop living in the past.
Yes Nae! Those would be good additions to the list.
I totally agree with all 3 suggestions! Gossip can bring in so much negative energy. Over the past few years I have really worked on not comparing myself to others and it has helped so much! Thanks for sharing and I look forward to reading your posts in the future 🙂
Enjoy your day!
♥ Talia
http://rubytiaradiaries.blogspot.com
Talia you are so right! Gossip does bring negative energy and I always feel disappointed in my self when I do it.
A way to happiness is so hard sometimes. Espesially it concerns gossips:)
Julia, It is hard but it is so worth it!
I agree with Melissa, great post. I'm going to bookmark this so I can re-visit when I need the reminder. All three things you listed really hit home for me, so thanks.
Thanks Elzimmy! So glad it hit home.
This is a great post and just what I needed. After a not-so-good day at CrossFit today, not hitting my lifts as I would have liked, I was pretty down on myself. When I saw some of the other girls surpass me in weight, I started comparing myself to them and why I'm not good enough. Ugh…it is hard to not compare yourself to others and I tend to do it more often that not! So, needless to say, I just need to do best, improve on my weaknesses and not worry about anyone else. Comparing myself to others is only going to make me feel worse and inhibit me from reaching my goals.
Thanks Melissa. Your best is absolutely good enough.