Recently I signed up for some business coaching so that I can really kick things up a notch here on Chasing Joy. During one of the calls with my coach she asked me what does Chasing Joy mean. I answered her on the phone and I am answering on the blog as well. I have been writing Chasing Joy for over 5 years. Some of you have been reading from the beginning but many of you are new. So rather than have you guess and speculate at what my intentions are and what Chasing Joy means I will spell it out.
So what does Chasing Joy mean to me? Let me start by explaining what Chasing Joy isn’t. Chasing Joy is not about being cheerful all the time. Chasing Joy is not an unrealistic look at life through rose colored glasses. Chasing Joy is not the daily musings and ramblings of an eternal optimist.
Chasing Joy means hope. Chasing Joy means getting up when you get knocked down. Chasing Joy means accepting that life can be hard, unfair, and down right shitty at times but deciding to have hope that things will eventually get better. Chasing Joy means deciding that having an unhappy life is not an option and making every reasonable effort to be as positive as possible during the bad times and fully embracing and appreciating the good times. Chasing Joy means creating the life that you want when things don’t turn out how you planned. Chasing Joy means simply making the decision to have a joyful life no matter what and committing to doing the work to find your way back to being happy when you find yourself less than joyful. To do this we use the tools of gratitude, trying new things, practicing faith, making healthy lifestyle choices, building positive relationships, helping others, practicing self-care/ self-love and setting and accomplishing goals.
This blog, is about me challenging you to make your happiness a priority now. You don’t have to wait until you are unhappy to start Chasing Joy.
What does Chasing Joy mean to you?
Read my about me page to learn a little more about me and why I am Chasing Joy.
I like that! Great meaning behind the name.
I love this! I had been curious about the name as well and this explains it beautifully!
Thanks for sharing! I did wonder what it meant.
Every post I have read is about challenging yourself to something new or uplifting others. It's great to read posts like this.
Chasing joy for me means making the extra effort to be happy. This is not a walk, jog or even a run – it's a chase! Chasing is serious business because you are determined to catch whatever you are chasing. I think of a police officer chasing a suspect; they may fall, trip or even get exhausted but they keep going. So we have to be that way when it comes to finding our passion and being happy.
Love this. For me chasing joy is simply living life to the fullest,not getting in my own way and and giving it room to be all that it can be.
Chasing Joy to me is living out my dreams. Being a powerful example to my children.
I love it, chasing joy to me means living life to it's fullest potential despite obstacles and fears along the way. Finding joy in the smallest things and being thankful for life.
I love this! Chasing Joy means no limits. Despite how terrible something may go or not exactly what you'd like, joy still comes in the morning!
I saw a picture the other day that had two people. One person asked the other, "Where did you find that? I have been looking for it everywhere". The other said "I created it." as they held a jar labeled happiness.
That picture resonated with me because we all are in pursuit of happiness or joy. We often forget we can take hold of the reigns and create it for ourselves. It doesn't mean everything is perfect – but learn to appreciate and to find peace and contentment. Happiness and joy will follow.
Great post 🙂
Great Motivational Post!! I think we are all Chasing Joy or at least we should be!! Thanks for sharing!!
I love this! I love the realism that it doesn't mean to be happy all of the time but it is about trying to have the amazing life you want. Kudos!
I love that you're honest behind the meaning behind your name. Chasing joy doesn't have to mean 100% happy all of the time
I love your definition of Chasing Joy. Your blog is definitely a representation of that definition.
I love what Chasing Joy means! I feel like that is 100% accurate for what it would mean for me! Definitely encouraging 🙂
I love this so much. Right now, I am chasing joy. I am hoping for the best and nothing but the best, even when it gets hard.
I am a life coach too and my blog is an empowerment community first and foremost, so this totally resonated with me: "Let me start by explaining what Chasing Joy isn't. Chasing Joy is not about being cheerful all the time. Chasing Joy is not an unrealistic look at life through rose colored glasses. Chasing Joy is not the daily musings and ramblings of an eternal optimist." <-This is exactly what I have to constantly explain to friends, family and clients. I can't totally relate to this post! I am an 'Ascending Butterfly' who is 'Chasing Joy' each and every single day – it DOES NOT mean I see the world through rose colored glasses or that I don't have bad days, I am HUMAN, I just choose to acknowledge the positive and find things to be grateful for and dust off the negative after thanking it all for their lessons.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
Deciding to hope things will get better is my mantra. But I do wish they'd hurry. 🙂
The older I get, the more joy I try to find in my life. I am working hard to pass that on to my kids.
Chasing joy means making the best of what I have to deal with. Making the best of life, work and family time!
This is wonderful and I think you best it best. Chasing joy isn't about kidding yourself. It's about finding the good and acknowledging it.
~Lea
Congratulations on investing in yourself and your business to make your blog all that you dream it can be! You always inspire and motivate.
I think hope is the perfect reason. Always look to the best no matter what you are hit with.
I like your definition of Chasing Joy. I think just being in the moment and living each day to the fullest is chasing joy.
I love your description of Chasing Joy. For me the concept of chasing joy means a never ending quest toward inner peace, being happy with my own life and accepting myself for who I am while at the same time being mature enough to realize the things I need to work on and change.
It's a great thing for us all to be doing. I appreciate your reminder that we don't have to be unhappy to chase our own joy.
What a great read! We could all have a little more joy!
This is such a great post. As long as we still have hope we will be okay. Catherine S
Hope, it's what we all need. I think it is what gets us from day to day sometimes…
LOL… Well, that was a super way to explain what Chasing Joy means. I am usually an optimistic person…. I have a hard time being around the Debbie Downers of the world.
I love your explanation for what Chasing Joy means! It's impossible to be optimistic and positive all the time, but we should always try to stay hopeful, even in hard times.
This is so helpful, and great to share with those we know who are struggling. To me, Chasing Joy means to not ever stop looking for the good in all things that happen.
Every post I read from you is a joy (see what I did there?) Seriously, your posts are so uplifting. Thanks for sharing these!
I love this. I think we all want to be happy, so why not go be happy!