The Transformation Series (Episode 1)

This Bible verse is the perfect fit for the beginning of a series of write-ups I’m going to be putting out for the next couple of days. As a lifestyle blogger, it’s expected of me to write articles based on personal experiences or activities. I’ve been on a path to the transformation series for the past month, and in this series, I’ll share six different faith-based articles that will bring you closer to the change you’ve been dreaming about.

In the Bible verse above, it says ‘be transformed by the renewing of your mind’. That means you have to have a renewal or a cleansing of your mind. This includes your thoughts, ideas, plans, even your dreams.

For me, renewing your mind means flushing away all the negatives: a bad past, fear, doubt, shame, your pessimistic tendencies, and self-degradation. It means opening your mind to new changes and new beginnings.

If you’ve been feeling sad or depressed or not good enough lately, you need to remove these negative thoughts, then you can begin to experience transformation.

This is why the first step in your transformation journey is simple: Finding out what makes you happy.

Finding Out What Makes You Happy

Once you’ve opened your mind to experience change, you start with finding out what makes you happy. This is the first step because nobody can feel depressed over a long period of time if they’re actually ‘happy’. So, the lack of happiness is the root of the problem. And despite what you may think, you have the power to feel happy; you can control your happiness. How?

You can do these to finding out what makes you happy:

1) Praying

God is the only One who can turn things around in an instant. He knows how hard life can be, and He will be with you every step of the way. If you’d drifted away from God during your period of pain and depression, you can run back to Him. He will take you in with open arms, and with no questions. That’s how great our Lord is.

In John 16:33 NIV it says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus already knew the world would be full of trouble, pain, suffering, even doubt. But here’s the great part: He’s made it better for us! So what we need to do is take what’s rightfully been given to us by Christ and claim the promise that’s been prepared for us for ages past.

As you should do with everything in life, you need to start this journey with prayer. Ask God for strength as you enter a new, brighter phase of your life. Ask Him how you can know what makes you happy.

2) Look back on old memories

Remember those times when you were happy? There are some memories you may remember that make you wish you could go back to those times.

You wish you could still have this person in your life, you wish you had continued doing something important to you or you wish you hadn’t isolated yourself so much.

So what’s stopping you from making those memories come alive? It may be fear. It may be that those things can never happen to you again.

But, here’s the thing: you can recreate those memories. Though it may not be the same, you can tweak it enough to feel the way you felt before.

Think about that person, or that place, or that hobby of yours that used to give you so much peace and joy, and then you’re a step closer to finding out what makes you happy.

3) Journaling

Whether you like writing or not, journaling is a wonderful way for you to monitor what makes you happy. If you write journal entries about how your day went for at least a week, there’s absolutely no way you can’t spot something that made you smile, laugh or feel at peace so much.

4) Frequently repeat hobbies you love, or even search for new ones

Everybody has a hobby. Mine is reading and writing, and I find that no matter how down I feel, pouring out my thoughts in a notebook helps me feel calm. Reading is also an activity that calms me.

If your hobby is singing, then sing; you can even try your hand at songwriting if you want. This way you can write a song detailing your experiences in life.

If your hobby is cooking, then cook; you can even search for new recipes online.

If your hobby is designing, then explore all aspects of it, whether it be graphics designing or fashion designing.

I personally don’t think you can call doing something a hobby of yours if you didn’t actually like doing it.

My point is, you should do what you feel comfortable with. It will definitely take you a step closer to being happy.

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5) Take personality tests.

These can help you know who you are, and while this is not an integral part of finding out what makes you happy, it’s a great alternative to figuring out what exactly can brighten up your day and your life.

Here’s a test you can try: https://www.psychologies.co.uk/test-what-makes-you-happy

Once you’ve tried these five steps, you can definitely figure out at least one thing that makes you happy. And once you do, continue to do that thing, or stay around that person, or go to that place. And remember, these activities must be activities that uplift you and make you better; not worse.

And with this, you’re ready for the next step in your journey! Stay tuned for the next article on the transformation series.