The J.O.Y. Experiment: Month One

I'm under the weather, friends.  Like not the "Ohmygosh, I'm dying." 

More like I'm trudging through Jell-O.  My throat hurts.  

My tummy is icky.  And, I just am tired.  

So, I'm trying to be a trooper.  When honestly, I feel like a pooper. 

I wanted to assess honestly how I feel The J.O.Y. Experiment is working.  

It's just hard when you feel yucky.  

It seems to overshadow everything.

But, here it is...

IT'S WORKING.

And, to say that...

is

AMAZEBALLS!

There are some things going on right now that I just can't share about.  

And, the situation alone could be enough to snuff out any & all J.O.Y.  

But, the amazing thing is....it's NOT!

 Here are some of the things that truly seemed to help me create JOY:

Diet

(are you rolling your eyes?  because i would have too. but, we are 24 days into the daniel plan & i can not begin to tell you the changes it has made.  24 days, peeps, without a diet coke.  24 days without refined sugar & flour.  and, it shows.)

Exercise

(again with the eye rolling.  consistent exercise has helped decrease the depression.  and, after about the second week...i quit moaning about going to the gym.  and, i know the gunny is feeling JOY over that.)

Routine

(yep, i get up at 5am monday through friday.  30 minutes for a quiet time.  30 minutes for stretching & toning.)

Music

(i have solely listened to christian music the past month.  i've gotten over cringing at the cheesiness (just bein real, my friends) & learned to love & embrace it)

These four things plus the journaling & practicing putting OTHERS before myself have brought a great contentment.  I'm not saying I'm there yet...it's a journey.  There are detours.  Bumps in the road.  But, I am finding JOY in the journey.

Tomorrow, I'll be sharing on the name SAVIOR & posting scripture memory for February.  I'm a little behind due to this crud.  

If you are joining in the J.O.Y. Experiment, tell me about it.  I'd love to hear what you are learning.  You can leave a comment here or email me at justjilly@rocketmail.com.