Ecclesiastes 11.8
If a person lives many years, let him take joy in them all, yet remembering that there will be many days of darkness, that all to come is futile.
HOW do we "take joy" in [all our years]"?
Take is an action. We can actively seek or look for joy by consciously looking for the gifts and blessings that we so often take for granted.
An observant Jew seeks to bless God 100 times a day - this should not and does not have to be a rote prayer of blessing. Yes, there are many lists of standard blessings that are normally prescribed for eating, drinking wine, smelling spices, etc., but what would it look like for us to actively acknowledge things that bring us joy each day, and thank - or bless - God for them?
One standard prayer is said upon waking or arising each morning:
I thank you, living and eternal king, for you have returned my soul to me in your great compassion. Great is your faithfulness.
Do we wake up every morning by thanking God for the day?
Thanking him for the husband or wife that he has given us?
Thanking him for the sun to warm our bones, or the rain to refresh the earth?
This morning as I was driving to work, I stopped myself in the middle of complaining about someone not using their turn signal, and instead I blessed God for paved roads, for traffic signals, for people who obeyed the rules. That's all it takes, and before long you will find that you have blessed God 100 times or more throughout the day.
I think if we were to start looking around us and blessing God for all the he has given us, not only would we find it easy to bless him 100 times, we would also "take joy" in all our years.
If you weren't feeling grateful before, I suggest watching this video...
