Cheerful

Cheerful is to have a happy disposition. It is to be "expecting the best in this best of all possible worlds." How cheerful you are is a great measure of your spiritual connection to God. Why is this you may ask, for me it is simple. When we are connected to God, we are confident that we are taken care of. We know that all things are working for good. We see the beautiful gifts that we have been given each and everyday and do not focus on anything negative. We expect the best in best of all possibilities for we know that the Creator would never leave us or forsake us. This should give us a happy disposition.

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

How do you apply this practically? If you have children and you take them to school every morning or get them ready to catch the bus live in a different way. Instead of being angry that they are not getting ready on time, yelling at them to hurry up, or being frustrated that you are late do something different. Be thankful for the beautiful gift of children, that they are able to go to school, that you have the means to buy them clothes and feed them breakfast, that they have the freedom to go to school, and that God has so blessed you. Riding in traffic to work you can be angry that you are late, that the person in front of you does not know how to drive, and that you had to get up early. You can also be thankful that you have a car (only 8% of the world does), that you have a job to go to, that you have the means to work, that you have the freedom to choose your career, and that you have more than most.

Now imagine continuing in your anger if you think about these things. You actually have to make that choice, you have to make a choice to be angry, to be disconnected from God and all that has been given. Really you cannot help but be cheerful when you think about all the gifts each and every moment of the day. So today you have a choice - focus on what you think is wrong or focus on all the things that are gifts to you. Cheerfulness comes when we are connected to our God, our Creator.

Namaste'