More Joy and less stress is something that we all want in our lives. I know I certainly do! But what is the magic key to creating more joy and letting go of the stress in your life?

 

The magic key is acceptance and gratitude (alright 2 magic keys!)

 

Acceptance is around accepting that everything is as it is meant to be, my favourite saying in life is IT IS WHAT IT IS! On my crazy busy days as I am juggling my kids, work and life, I will say this a lot and often drive my kids insane with this saying! To be able to accept that it is what it is, allows us to live in the present moment.

 

I heard a quote lately that read:

 

If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.

– Lao Tzu

 

This sums it up perfectly when you are trying to change the past you will feel hopeless, when you are worrying about the future you will feel anxious. It is in the present moment that we feel peace and joy. Focus on what is right now, not what could have been or what should be. The right now is where you can make changes to how you perceive the past and how you influence the future. Be the person you want to be right now.

More Joy, Less Stress.

 

The second magic key is gratitude. It is huge and can make powerful changes in your life. When we live in gratitude we are appreciative, thankful and happy with exactly what we have. We are not trying to be someone else or to get something else or look a different way. We just are, exactly as we and happy with ourselves.

 

It is so important that we focus on what we have and be grateful for everything that we do have in our lives. We need to let go of the “if onlys” and focus on what we have right now, in the present moment. Acknowledge all the things in your life (the good and bad) and be grateful for either the learning the bad situation is giving you or the pleasure the good situation is giving you. Coming from a place of gratitude will have a positive effect on your life and your current state of mind!

 

With these 2 magic keys you can start to unlock a life filled with more joy and less stress.

 

How are you going to be more accepting and grateful for all things in your life today (the small and big things)?