I don’t know; I feel I can always do something to lift someone up not to talk of myself, I feel I have a heart of service to humanity only I have not been able to identify my niche, maybe I could use some help here myself. Even when in a likely situation, I always feel better enough to lift another – that is how I see myself and I have been able to deliver on that. Watching other people while I go about my daily activities, the obvious is to see people with different pattern of life, heading toward different direction, doing things in the bid of making life meaningful – some legit and some questionable, some go around with frowns while some others with happy faces; observing the “ying and yang” of life, just to know all cannot feel the same way given the same situation.

 

When it rains, for instance, it favors probably those that do not have access to regular water supply, those at relaxed mode may also enjoy the cool breeze from the rain, farmers would thank God and so on; and they pray for more, while those that may get drenched by the rain on their way to work or returning may not be happy about it and would probably not wish for its regularities, but then all can’t be happy given the same situation. To point on the present situation on the global economic crisis – it is probably Christmas for some while others are crying, it is life and a natural order, if man can complain about what God caused (like rainfall) imagine how much more it would be if caused by man. But then in all how do we secure our own happiness and more so how do we affect others with ours happiness, this is a check directed at living a Joyful life come what may.

 

This is the position that makes me feel I can add to another person not neglecting my issues but not locked up in it. Life must go on and you must move, your world may seem static because of issues bordering you and so you neglect the happenings around you thereby neglecting your solutions. Sharing provides solution. Someone with an issue talks to you even if you are found wanting in the same issue it is okay to give ideas and from there you both arrive at a solution. Like smokers for instance, they like to advice non-smokers to remain that way probably because they are fighting with stopping the habit, nonetheless they deliver good advice. 

 

Now you don’t have to neglect your own issues, in fact it’s not advisable; the thoughts of our own issues gets over us and sometimes gets overwhelming, but there are sometimes we most likely forget that there are people around us probably facing a worst situation. I remember a time we were asked to give (aid) back in school and the speaker said something like give no matter the amount that there are people who have never seen the twenty naira you consider small, that they don’t know how it feels to wear shoes, clothes and so on, I almost doubted it but later concurred to the fact. This is the point, always have it in mind that there are people’s situation worst than your own, with that your heart will be filled with gratitude for what you have instead of laying more complains, it is not aimed at hindering your aspiration for a high mark or THINK BIG concept, but to appreciate the seeming little thing you have so more can come.

 

In another way, a funny one though; when about to write an examination and I get a bit nervous, it occurs to me that there are people that have not prepared as much as I have and from that I get my confidence not to be afraid of what is coming but to face it and shine…. that way I retain my Joy while writing the examiination instead of panicking like I have not prepared at all

 

This is the acronym for JOY I grew to confirm:

 

Jesus First

Other Second

Yourself Last

 

As stated above they are self explanatory, but for emphasis sake: Putting Jesus First may also be suitable as God First and we really have to be straight about this. Placing God as God and reverencing Him the same way, not attempting to take the glory due to him, worship, adore him and give him charge over your affairs. Not complaining about natural causes, if it rains let it be, if the sun is much, ok! Your complaints will obviously not change anything so why not save the strength for something else or better just smile about it… lol. For with God, it’s his term, he knows the best time; you just apply yourself to it and be happy.

 

Other second; this we find hard sometimes, we rather struggle to get things first even if it is abundant to go round twice, the primary goal is to get it first personally before others. Putting others first is not loosing your position; it is actually securing your position. Save for some exceptional cases you should always consider your neighbor; your solution could be in solving their problems. A quick instance I remember was when I was much younger working as a PA to a manager, I do jump around to assist other managers on computer related issues, one of them noticed his mode was down (probably because of the work pressure at the moment) and needed a smile to lift him, he saw me getting through my own issues too; got my attention somehow and handed me a 200 naira note for nothing, immediately I smiled saying thank you, right away his mode came alive and he said he needed to be happy and getting others to smile makes for that. This is just a case; there are cases where you can put others before ourselves by so doing we get what we want, it could be as simple as been NICE as we go around our daily activities. If you open the door, you can allow someone else to go first before you, if someone need something you can deliver on don’t wait until you are asked, get involved and make a difference in the lives of others – to be frank this is one strength I draw from and it adds for my Joy.

 

Positioning yourself last in securing you Joy could be considered as the way the moon lightens the earth at night time without stress. Your issues will be so light and even before you ask you receive; because you have sowed in the lives of others you must reap the same. By putting God first and helping others you are investing in you future and securing you Joy for tomorrow

 

So get at something, if it makes for your pleasure, it doesn’t take from you as much as you derive from it. There are times we get burnt by stretching a helping hand; like a story of a friend that almost got his car robbed for trying to help another man that seemingly had his car broke down on a bridge, but then God is always there to guide you as He did not abandon this friend of mine. he got a comforting word he shared in an article; that says “the hands that help are holier than the lips that pray”. That means he will even do more in securing is Joy (pleasure)…

 

To live a happy life is a choice, help others and you will be making your JOY FULL by so doing. I close this write-up with this quote I recieved when this topic got to me:

 

“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of you arm… As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself and the other for helping others” – Audrey Hepburn

 

Have a JoyFUL life. Ciao

 

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