All too often, I find I place my joy in one specific area of my life. Whether it be a guy, a new job, or opportunities with my writing, I recognize that my joy is purely based off of how well that specific aspect of my life is going. Sure, if things seem to be going great, you have every right to be joyful. If things seem to be going wrong, it's only natural to feel bummed. However, it's important to realize when a line should be drawn. A boundary made for your happiness to stand alone and to be independent of your circumstances.

The familiar feeling of disappointment may sneak up on you and drain you of energy or hope. But finding the small things already within that rejuvenate you, will provide a foundation for the joy and strength that are independent of the events in your life. Life's ebbs and flows will always be unpredictable, but we should be able to predict how we handle the dips and how we handle the highs.

Each high should be appreciated but not clung to so tightly that you're devastated when you feel life's shift into the descent. It's only natural, no one stays in one permanent spot in life, so soak in the easy and the natural joy caused by good events while it's there.

The lows are difficult for everybody because they seem to drag on much longer than the highs did. It can seem like the end of the world sometimes, but it's important not to allow your happiness to be dependent on this. The highs and lows don't have to seem like crazy life shifts. When you find that balance of placing your value and joy in who you are and what you love, the depths can't snatch your joy away from you and the highs won't send you skyrocketing too far. Life is about finding that balance and it can be a tough lesson to learn but an extremely valuable one.

Place your joy in the things that are stable. Don't allow your happiness to be dependent on a guy/girl, a job, friends, or opportunities. Allow your joy to flow freely at all times, regardless of what's happening. I know this is much easier said than done, but when you reach the ideal balance of letting circumstances affect you while also understanding they don't define you, your life will change.