"I Choose Joy" Is a Song Created Just For Me

I have always believed in affirmations. On July 20, 2026, before my 81st birthday on July 23, I made an affirmation to embrace every single day. My daily affirmation is:

"I choose joy!"

Effective Ways to Make Affirmations

There are several ways to make effective affirmations:

1. Write affirmations in the present tense, such as "I choose joy," and not in the past tense, such as "I chose joy," and not in the future tense, such as "I will choose joy."

2. Keep the affirmation short, such as "I choose joy." This way you can remember it easily.

3. An affirmation should be one simple sentence and not a compound sentence or a question.

4. Keep the affirmation positive. Refrain from using negative words, such as "I will never be late again." Or I do not want this job." In other words, focus on what you want to grow, not on what you want to avoid.

5. Make your affirmation believable. If a statement feels fake, your brain will reject it.

6. Always use "I," "me," or "my" to own the statement. You should make your own affirmation so your brain will receive it.

7. It is good to speak your affirmation, but it is more effective to write it down. One year, I wrote the same affirmation on a calendar for 365 days.

How My 3-Word Affirmation Became My Song

Paul was in chains as he penned the Book of Philippians, known as the "joy book" because he used the word "joy" and "rejoice" about 16 times in the four short chapters. It proves that joy doesn't depend on our circumstances. It is a deliberate daily decision. Therefore, I choose joy.

I turned my daily affirmation into a powerful, professional recording grounded straight from the theology of the Book of Philippians.

Click this link to hear the song: "I Choose Joy."

Listen to the song as you read the words below. Let those words remind you that no matter what chains you are carrying today, the choice is still yours.

Lyrics of the Song

Verse 1
Morning breaks and I open my eyes
Grace is new beneath these skies
There's a choice I make anew
When the clouds are grey, I still choose You
In the quiet, in the noise
I lift my hands, I make my choice

Chorus
I choose joy, I choose joy
Rejoice in the Lord always
I choose joy, I choose joy
Through the storm I'll sing His praise
Faith to carry, Hope to hold
Love that never lets me go
Peace that guards my weary heart
I choose joy

Verse 2
When the worries try to steal my song
I remember where my strength belongs
There's a book that lights my way
Telling me rejoice today
Every trial, every fear
Turns to worship, drying every tear

Chorus
I choose joy, I choose joy
Rejoice in the Lord always
I choose joy, I choose joy
Through the storm I'll sing His praise
Faith to carry, hope to hold
Love that never lets me go
Peace that guards my weary heart
I choose joy

Bridge
Margaret, rise and lift your voice
This is your season, this is your choice
No chain can hold what love set free
Margaret, joy is who you're born to be

Verse 3
So I'll dance where I once would weep
I'll hold His promise strong and deep
The world may shake, but I will stand
My hope is anchored in His hand
Margaret, keep your eyes above
Filled with peace and endless love

Chorus
I choose joy, I choose joy
Rejoice in the Lord always
I choose joy, I choose joy
Through the storm I'll sing His praise
Faith to carry, hope to hold
Love that never lets me go
Peace that guards my weary heart
I choose joy

Outro
Rejoice again, and I will say
I choose joy, I choose joy today