My pastor recently inspired (no pun intended) me to write a list of things that inspire me and things that rob me of joy (spiritually). Of course this list could go on… but I’ll leave it at this.

INSPIRATIONS:

• Crisp pretty weather days
• Green grass
• Being barefoot
• Feeling clean after a hot shower
• Tasting great food (ice cream, fruit, baked goods)
• Laughing so hard it hurts
• Photography (shooting, editing, etc… & looking at others work)
• Learning about other cultures/spending time with other cultures
• Traveling
• Spending time in nature
• Animals
• Spending quality time with family & close friends/loved ones
• Lifetime movies
• Being held by a loved one
• Reading a good book
• Intricately studying the beauty of fresh flowers
• Singing and dancing
• Sunsets & sunrises
• Whitnessing people using their talents for the glory of God
• Sharing the gospel
• Giving gifts
• Cooking with/for others
• Music
• Lying in the grass watching the sky
• Experiencing the changing of seasons (or what there is of them in TX)
• Learning/ being challenged intellectually & spiritually
• Being under good leadership
• Making people smile
• Reflecting on the many blessings in my life

THINGS THAT ROB ME OF JOY:

• Boredom
• Spending too much time on the computer
• Watching too much T.V.
• Gossip
• Local news
• Bad moods and people in bad moods
• Catching myself trying to measure up to others’ expectations
• Not having spontaneity in my daily life
• Being TOO sarcastic TOO often/mocking others
• People nagging me/Occasional authority
• Getting caught up in the materialistic world
• Being too depending on other people & getting hurt/let down by that
• Focusing on my fears
• Ignoring my heart