We have to practice the joy and peace we long to feel

“We have to practice the joy and peace we long to feel. Left on neutral the brain leans negative so we need to help it out by embracing the joy of our every day lives.”

@nicolezasowski from her book “What If It’s Wonderful?”

Ok, I pulled this quote from Nicole’s interview with @nicoleunice but I know she uses the phrase “left on neutral” in the book (maybe multiple times!?) and it’s now a phrase I’ve been using. 😅

I’m hung up on the phrase because it is exactly me. The default for me can definitely be cynicism and it’s so easy to slump into that comfortable but ultimately unfulfilling default even in times of joy. In reading through the book (I haven’t finished it 😬) I really appreciate the idea of celebration that’s put forth in here. I like that it’s not that gross “manifest the joy you want to be” or “fake it ‘till you make it” kind of sentiment but rather a guide in the deliberate practice of celebration that doesn’t discount the realities of life. I really appreciate also reading a book about joy and celebration that acknowledges the ultimate celebration in heaven with Jesus and not just a “let’s manifest heaven on Earth” sentiment.

This book came at a good time for me. I’ve recently have been spending more time on Twitter and before where I didn’t understand what doom scrolling was I DEFINITELY KNOW NOW. 😳 My goodness do I know. It’s interesting to me that without deliberate action the default is turn to these more destructive habits and I’m really excited to replace the destructive habits with the life-giving ones. I haven’t gotten to them yet; like I said, I haven’t finished reading the book. 😅

There’s a lot in here - don’t take this single quote as a summation because it’s not one of those books that is a single idea with 200 pages of padding. I highly recommend checking it out.

Also, I must be following a lot of therapists on here because I just keep seeing all these amazing books coming out. What an interesting field.