As we dig further into the idea of paying attention to our relational circuits, we introduce the book’s checklist:

Relational circuits checklist

Are our relational circuits on or off?

• I just want to make a problem, person or feeling go away.
• I don't want to listen to what others feel or say.
• My mind is “locked on” to something upsetting
• I don't want to be connected to ________. (someone I usually like)
• I just want to get away, fight, or freeze (versus Calm + Connect)
• I more aggressively interrogate, judge and fix others.

If we answered YES to any of these questions, then our relational circuits are OFF. Everything related to relational conflicts will turn out better when our relational. Circuits are back ON.
~ page 29, Joyful Journey, Wilder, Kang, Loppnow, Loppnow

Well, that kind of situation makes it hard to be joyful, so lets get the circuits back on and move into…

Session A: We continue revisiting joyful memories recorded on your Golden Moments list. Look for God’s presence in the joys. Invite Him to share thoughts about joys you’re recalling. Again, notice body sensations, attitudes, heart rate, etc.

There is a social system in every brain that controls Whether we feel like ourselves or not. This system is
run by our RCs – relational circuits. When our RCs are
firing on all cylinders, our relational self becomes
present and we tend to feel and act like ourselves.
But when these RCs start to misfire and shut down altogether, our non-relational self comes out. When this happens, we live out of fear rather than joy.
~ page 81, The 4 Habits, Warner, Coursey

Session C: Reflecting with Interactive Gratitude:
Spend five minutes reflecting on the day or week. Journal a sentence about what you are grateful for and then write down how Jesus might respond.

There are many other “joys” to be had, but there is an inherent danger to them. See how the quote below resonates with your experience.

Low levels of joy make us vulnerable to artificial substitutes for the real thing. Addictions form as attachments to non-relational stimulants that usually create a sense of pleasure or momentary happiness. Thus my addiction makes me feel happy temporarily. It gives me a short-term pleasure boost that numbs my pain and replaces it with pleasure. The problem of course is that it doesn’t last and it creates other problems that generally make my life worse than if I didn’t have the addiction. 11, 4 Habits, Warner, Coursey

The beauty of Immanuel journaling is that it helps us become aware of God's presence during painful as well as joyful moments.... A tremendous amount of healing is available for anyone willing to engage regularly in Immanuel journaling.
~ page 54, Joyful Journey, Wilder, Kang, Loppnow, Loppnow