I’m sure you have a favorite drink to savor in the winter, you know what I mean right? A warm soothing cup of morning bliss.
I’m craving ginger and lime tea, not the kind that comes in a store-bought package. I need slices of ginger and lime, sweetened with honey. I find a bit of ginger, a quarter of a lime, and roughly chop them as the teakettle simmers to boil.
A spicy hit of ginger blended with a zing from the lime awakens my senses, soothes my craving, and puts a smile in my heart. Perhaps a cup of coffee is your thing? Some days that does the trick but not today. Today I know what I want.
Knowing what you want is crucial to attaining joy. I mention joy instead of happiness because happiness is situational, but joy is sustainable.
Do you have clarity about what you want?
Oliver Wendell Holmes says, “If you don’t know what you want, you’ll probably never get it.”
Sometimes it’s easier to figure out what you don’t want. For example, you don’t want to work for someone else for the rest of your life. If we turn that around then maybe what you do want is to own a business.
What do you complain about the most? Flip that on its head, examine it, and decide what you do want.
Five Gifts of Clarity:
- clarity brings focus. If I set my mind on what I want distractions are easier to spot and I don’t get caught up doing things that don’t matter.
- clarity aids decision-making. If I’m clear on the steps that I want to take it’s easier to say yes or no or to choose this or that.
- clarity inspires action. If I know why I need to get something accomplished it’s easier to get started.
- clarity motivates intention. Being clear on what I want helps me to be intentional about achieving it.
- clarity promotes bliss. Bliss is a state of joy and joy makes life feel full and complete.
Once we determine what we do want out of life then we can focus, decide, act on our decisions, move through life with intention, and find the bliss that leads us to a fulfilling and complete life.
Bonus Gift! Clarity helps us find our purpose.
In John 15:11, Jesus says,” I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ” Jesus found joy in doing the will of the Father. He found joy in fulfilling the Word and doing His Father’s business. He was clear on what He wanted, how to achieve it, and set about doing it each day of His life.
Let’s Reflect: Do you know what you want out of life? Get out your journal and write out the things that you complain about the most. How can you turn them around? Look at each sphere of your life, spiritual, emotional, relational, financial, intellectual, are you unhappy or unfulfilled in one of those areas? Ask God for clarity and thank Him for the answers that are on the way!
Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending Your son Jesus so that we may have life and have it to the full. Lord, You are the one who created us with desires and needs. And You Lord, are the only one who can fulfill those empty spaces in our hearts, minds, and souls. We look to You and we thank You for the answers to our prayers that are already on the way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is great. I am clear about what I want. Now I need to be consistent with using the 5 gifts of clarity.
Stephanie, What a blessing to be clear about what you want. I pray you find a rhythm of consistency that works for you!
This post was beautifully written. I especially loved the by-products of clarity.
Iris, thank you so much for visiting the blog and for your encouraging comments. Blessings to you!