Roselle Umlas
Joy – a simple word made up of only three letters yet contains a world of happiness in it.
With so many problems in the world today, a joyful spirit is one of the trickiest to achieve.
It’s one thing to be happy when something good happens to us, but to stay positive and joyful all the time? Most of us would find this incredibly hard to do.
If that doesn’t sound difficult at all to you, congratulations! You’ve found the secret to lasting happiness and contentment!
If you’re wondering if you’re a joyful person who lifts others up, wonder no more.
In this article, I’ll share the signs you’re a ray of sunshine who spreads light everywhere you go!
Let’s dive in!
1) You smile often
Let’s begin with the first thing people notice about you when they see you – that warm, welcoming smile!
It’s no secret that smiling is a universal gesture that conveys friendliness, happiness, and warmth.
In fact, even when you meet someone who speaks a different language, a smile is all it takes to make a connection!
That’s the great thing about you: your smile makes people feel at ease, even if they don’t know you.
And you know how else you can make people smile?
2) You have a great sense of humor
Think about it – when you hear a joke, don’t you feel immediately at ease? Doesn’t it defuse tension and stress? Laughter truly does wonders in lifting people up!
That’s why a lot of speakers and hosts open their spiels with a joke. They know that humor is a powerful tool for making people feel relaxed and happy.
Well, you’re exactly the same way. Your sense of humor gives you the ability to make people laugh.
Plus, it helps you manage your own emotions. When you’re in a stressful situation, your sense of humor can help you see things from a different perspective and bring your own anxiety down.
You don’t take yourself too seriously, and that has the side effect of developing humility.
That way, you can go on approaching life with a lighthearted and joyful spirit!
3) You make people feel comfortable when they’re with you
Your sense of humor is just one of the tools in your joyful-living toolbox.
You’ve got more tucked away in there, such as empathy, openness, respect, and so many more!
You know just the right words to say for different situations, and you treat people in a way that makes them feel understood.
All of these point to one thing – you’re easy to be around, and people feel comfortable in your presence.
In other words, every encounter with you leaves others feeling light and breezy!
4) You live in the moment
Speaking of light and breezy, here’s another skill you’ve got that keeps you upbeat – the ability to stay present.
Mindfulness isn’t just some New Age buzzword; it’s an essential element to keep your mind free of clutter that blocks joy and happiness.
What clutter am I talking about here?
I’m referring to excess baggage from the past – guilt, regrets, and feelings that stop us from moving on from painful experiences.
I’m referring to the future, too. It can’t be denied that many of us are guilty of harboring worries about what the future holds.
Here’s the thing: no one knows what the future has in store for us.
And the past? There’s no undoing that.
So, why not focus on the present? Imagine how much freer life would feel when you’re grounded in every moment of your day!
But you know this already, and that’s why…
5) You embrace spontaneity
Road trip out of the blue? Yes!
Go on an impromptu hike? Yes!
Try out a dance class even if you’ve got two left feet? Yes, please!
Notice something?
That’s right, you’re a person who says “Yes” to life! You embrace spontaneity and don’t hesitate to go on adventures without planning.
That doesn’t mean you’re irresponsible; it just means you can make spontaneous decisions that align with your values and goals.
You understand that joyful living is a balance between a clear overall vision and unplanned experiences that enrich your life in so many ways.
6) You express gratitude
Here’s a natural side effect of living in the moment: you develop and express gratitude for everything that happens in your life.
And I mean everything – from the small things to the big ones.
This attitude of gratitude might be difficult to maintain, especially when things aren’t going well. But believe me, the effort to stay thankful will pay off.
You don’t have to take my word for it. The science actually bears this out. Studies show that gratitude results in greater happiness.
The strange thing about happiness is that the more you run after it, the more elusive it becomes. That’s probably because when you chase happiness, your focus is on what you don’t have.
Gratitude flips that on its head. When you cultivate gratitude, your focus is on what you already have.
The best part is, your attitude helps others see the good around them, too!
Plus, when you’re thankful for what you have, another curious thing happens…
7) You’re generous with your time, attention, and resources
Yes, that’s right – the more you feel you have, the more generous you become!
Gratitude has indeed been shown to be related to increased generosity. A study found that people who regularly practiced gratitude were more likely to be altruistic.
In fact, gratitude and giving share a deep neural connection and pathway in the brain.
You can see this play out in your own life, for sure.
Because you’re a joyful person who loves making others feel good, you think nothing of sharing what you have with others, whether it’s just a listening ear, thoughtful gifts, or a comforting presence.
People know that they can count on you for support and encouragement.
8) You are adaptable
Joyful people are like bamboo plants.
No, I don’t mean that they’re stick-thin; I’m talking about the bamboo’s unique ability to bend with the wind instead of breaking.
That’s exactly what joyful people – that means you – do. When challenges arrive at your doorstep, you don’t sit down and wring your hands. You find ways to overcome these challenges!
What does this mean for the people around you?
That means you make their lives easier because you know how to compromise. Your sense of empathy comes into play here, helping you see things from different perspectives and striving to arrive at a solution that makes everyone happy.
What makes you adaptable and resilient? How come you deal with challenges differently?
This leads me to my next point…
9) You have a positive attitude and outlook in life
Being filled with joy doesn’t mean you’re blind to hardships and struggles. On the contrary, you understand that life is filled with ups and downs.
But rather than focus on the negatives and be all doom-and-gloomy, you nurture hope in your big heart.
For you, the saying, “This too shall pass,” rings true.
You know that as bad as a situation might be, it will all work out in the end. And even if it doesn’t – maybe you didn’t reach a career goal or your relationship ended – you see it as an opportunity to learn valuable lessons.
This optimistic spirit keeps you energetic and enthusiastic about life, and that definitely is contagious!
It’s also the reason why…
10) You inspire others to be their best selves
You might ask, “Who, me?”
Yes, my humble and happy friend. YOU inspire people!
With your happy disposition and positive outlook, you can’t help but be a role model for others.
People look to you and strive to be as generous and excited about life as you are.
Think about it – I’m sure you, too, have someone you appreciate for the light and radiance they bring into your life.
I feel this way about my friend Emma, who’s just so filled with joy that I can’t help but be uplifted every time I talk to her.
Emma isn’t just a great friend; she’s also my constant reminder to live life with zest and be a better person.
So go ahead and keep living your best life. You never know who’s watching!
Final thoughts
This list is absolutely not exhaustive, but it should give you an idea if you’ve got that happy vibe going on and spark joy in others as well.
All of these traits point to one thing. You’ve figured out how to hack one of the most elusive things in life – happiness!
And if you’re not there yet, don’t worry. The great thing about joy is that it isn’t innate; it’s a mindset. And that’s something you can definitely cultivate with small but sure steps.
With consistent mindfulness practice and a conscious effort to stay positive, you’ll be a walking ray of sunshine, too!
