When it comes to worry and anxiety, the New Testament talks in Matthew 6:34 about a good reason for prayer being that "each day has enough trouble of its own" (all too true).
If you've watched the movie, "The Bucket List," with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, you've heard the conclusion that the two big questions that everyone needs to ask themselves before they die are these: "Have you found joy?" and "Has your life brought joy to others?" Provocative and essential; a "both/and" not an "either/or."
Then if you combine those two sentiments above, trouble and joy, you have the following quote from psychiatrist Milton Erickson, M.D., which goes to the heart of the matter:
“Life will bring you pain all by itself. Your responsibility is to create joy.” -- Milton Erickson
We don't have to look very far to see the applications in the life of a veteran with combat-based PTSD or his or her loved ones. The pain is real; but the joy is completely necessary; and no one can create it but us. This holiday season, start "Joy to the world" much closer to home. Find and do the things that bring you -- even if only you -- some much-needed JOY. The pain doesn't need any more attention than it already draws to itself. Go find, and make, some joy to carry you through.
