Dear Friends,

Birthday parties, concerts, sporting events, enjoying a well prepared meal, buying new clothes, listening to your favorite song, getting something for someone special, watching a movie or TV show, posting pictures of a get-together; what do these things have in common?

They would all probably make a top 20 list of all the things that bring you joy.

When you read through a list like this, I'm sure you all have different memories and experiences associated with the different activities.

Along with the reflection are most likely images of the people who were there to share the experience with you.

What's interesting to me is that the memory I have of certain activities or events are clearer and more vivid when I can associate a person who was there with me at the time. 

This holds true because joy is best when it's shared.

There's a major difference between joy and happiness, joy and excitement, joy and cheerfulness, etc.

 You see, joy is what's captured in the pictures.  The difference between joy and everything else is that joy is unaffected by circumstances.  It's a state of mind and an orientation of the heart.

Joy is deep.

It's a settled state of contentment, confidence, and hope.  Joy remains the same regardless of all the negativity going on around it.

Joy is a straight line and can't be rocked, shocked, shaken, or moved.

Joy is being able to smile at someone even though you know they've been saying untrue things about you.

Joy is being able to keep pushing and pursuing after failing a hundred times.  Joy is loving someone unconditionally regardless of their flaws.  Joy is seeing the bright side to life even after losing a loved one.

Joy is a gift from God and He wants us to share it with the world and I believe that pure joy can only be achieved when living a life of gratitude regardless of the circumstances around you.

With Love,

Brian Franada, Founder

Reign Management Group