February 5 WHEN JOY IS A HABIT, LOVE IS A REFLEX.

Affirmation: I am not less for making mistakes, I am more because I am learning.

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown 

Cultivate Rest and Play. Let go of

GET INSPIRED

The definition of courage in this course is sharing your story with your whole heart. Feel free to share your Joy and Meaning list, your PLAYlist and/or your properties of play by posting them on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #OLCBreneCourse! You can also share with a supportive friend or family member anything else that inspired you this week: a valuable phrase from the lesson, creative work from your journal, or an inspiration from your everyday life.

GET GOING

I want you to play for 15 minutes this week. I really want you to try something from your PLAYlist, and I want you to stay mindful of the internal and external pushback. Journal prompt: What did you do? How did it feel? What were the gremlins saying? What are you up against? Remember that we can't get going until we know what's stopping us.m

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Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews 

The Persistent Decision 

7. I WILL PERSIST WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

I possess the greatest power ever bestowed upon mankind. I hold fast to my dreams. I stay the course. I do not quit.

I acknowledge that most people quit when exhaustion sets in, but I am not “most people.”

I am stronger than most people. Average people compare themselves with other people, and that is why they remain average.

I compare myself to my potential. I am not average. I see exhaustion as a precursor to victory. By persisting without exception, my outcome—my success—is assured.

It is my wish that you have gained something positive and productive from reading about these seven decisions.

I strongly believe that there is nothing you can’t do if you have the proper mindset and conviction.-Andy Andrews

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

Feb. 5

WHEN JOY IS A HABIT, LOVE IS A REFLEX.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, 

so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

JOHN 13 34-35 

We've all slept in on a holiday or Saturday and woken up in a frenzy. We were supposed to be there fifteen minutes ago. We grab the clothes on our floor that smell the cleanest, splash water on our faces, snag a banana, and rehearse our excuses as we speed off to an office we were supposed to be at already.

 

That's the power of habit. Our bodies get into routines that launch us into motion without our brains taking the time to process what's happening. It's why we can dial a number on our phones without looking at the numbers. It's why we know how to spell words without thinking about it. Sure, sometimes we get it wrong, like when we put milk in the pantry or Froot Loops in the fridge, but our habits usually get it right.

 

If our bodies can be trained to act without our conscious awareness, surely our spirits work the same way: when joy is a habit, love is a reflex. You see it when a guy falls head over heels for a girl. She can show up two hours late for a date, and his immediate response isn't anger or irritation-it's pure bliss that he gets to see her another time.

 

How do we make joy a habit in our everyday lives so our reflex is always love for the people around us? I can't think of a better way than gratitude. When we're intentional about giving thanks for everything we come across, we can't help but feel joy over the pure gift of another day. And when our joy has become a habit, our love becomes a way of living.

 

What new habit of love do you want to start building in your life?