Pleasure is not just an experience—it is a way of being. In a world that glorifies busyness and hustle, joy often gets treated as a reward, something to be earned only after hard work and struggle.
But what if joy isn’t something we chase? What if it’s something we choose?
The Pleasure Path invites us to make that shift—to move from seeking joy externally to aligning with it from within. This journey isn’t about grasping for fleeting happiness. It’s about recognizing that choosing joy is a decision, a state of being that naturally unfolds when we align with our true essence.
Navigating Life with a Joy-Filled GPS
Every quarter, my wife, Lyneesha, and I take a weekend getaway—a time to refocus, realign, rest, and refresh. On one particular trip, we were heading to Lewes, Delaware. As usual, we plugged our destination into Waze and followed the guidance of our GPS. We trusted the process, adjusting as needed, knowing the system would lead us safely to our destination.
Then it hit me: What would it look like to choose joy as my internal GPS system?
I call it my God Perspective System.
What if I trusted the Divine’s guidance the same way I trust my GPS? What if, every day, with every decision, I made a conscious choice to align with joy? What if I focused on enjoying the journey instead of just the destination?
I got the chance to put this into practice on the way to our destination when my wife decided to drive.
Now, I’d love to tell you that I was present for the entire two-hour trip, but I wasn’t. I dozed off for part of the ride, spent some time scrolling on my phone, and distracted myself with tasks to make time pass.
But something caught my attention and pulled me out of my routine—crossing a breathtakingly beautiful bridge. The water shimmered, and the scenery was picture-worthy. My usual instinct would have been to snap a photo, but instead, I chose to be fully present.
For a moment, I was in awe of the beauty. Then I realized something deeper: A bridge serves as a connection between where we are and where we are going. In that moment, I allowed myself to embrace the present, not knowing what was next, feeling gratitude for where I was, and aligning my thoughts and emotions to truly enjoy the journey.
When we align our thoughts, emotions, and actions with joy, we naturally move in the right direction.
Meet Alex: A Representation of Our Soul and Inner Journey
In my book, The Pleasure Is All Mine, you are introduced to Alex—a character who represents something deeper than just an individual identity. Alex embodies the inner space within every emerging leader, where the “thinker,” “feeler,” and “want-to” reside. This space—often called the mind, soul, or consciousness—is where our thoughts, desires, and emotions come together to shape our reality.
For Alex, life seemed steady and predictable, yet there was an undercurrent of something unfulfilled—a quiet ache, a persistent nudge. On the surface, everything seemed fine: a good job, a decent home, and friends who would answer a late-night call. But beneath it all, Alex felt a disconnect, as if something crucial was missing—a deeper, richer layer of life just out of reach.
Expanding on Alex’s Journey
Alex goes on a transformational journey, encountering three key destinations and meeting three guiding figures who help shift perspectives, bring clarity, and invite Alex to co-operate with the Divine. These encounters serve as mirrors, reflecting deep truths that reveal the power of intention, inner harmony, and co-creation with the Divine.
Through this journey, Alex learns that joy, love, and pleasure do not start outside of oneself. Instead, they arise naturally from within when we embrace our inner guidance and align with the Divine. The journey is an invitation to pause, reflect, and shift to a higher vibration—one that fosters fulfillment, presence, and authentic joy.
I am learning that life isn’t about reaching a final destination, always being right, or even measuring success by conventional standards. Instead, it is about embracing the unfolding process and being fully present along the way.
5 Ways to Choose Joy while Journeying with Your GPS
1. Choose Divinely Aligned Thoughts
Your mindset sets the tone for your experience. Begin each day with affirmations like:
I am aligned with the peace, power, and pleasure within me.
Shift from a problem-focused mindset to a possibility-focused mindset.
2. Choose to Release the “Earned Joy” Mentality
Joy is not a reward—it is a birthright. Start noticing where you’re delaying pleasure and shift your perspective. Reframe productivity: Rest and pleasure are not indulgences; they are necessities for well-being.
3. Choose to Reframe Challenges as Detours, Not Dead Ends
Just like a GPS recalculates when we miss a turn, joy recalculates too. Trust that even when things don’t go as planned, you are still being led. Ask yourself: What is this teaching me?
4. Create Joy Practices
Small daily practices can help anchor you in joy:
- Morning gratitude journaling
- Five-minute pleasure breaks (music, movement, mindfulness)
- Deep breathing exercises
- Engaging in creative activities that spark inspiration
5. Trust the Journey, Even Without All the Answers
Sometimes, we want to see the full map before we trust the road ahead. Choosing joy means trusting the Divine, even in uncertainty. Surrender the need for control and embrace flow.
Final Thoughts: Joy Is a Choice, Not a Chase
Pleasure isn’t something we stumble upon—it is a conscious choice, a practice, and a perspective shift. Choosing joy as your internal GPS system means embracing life with ease and flow, rather than clinging to rigid expectations or struggling to control the outcome.
Joy is not a distant destination—it is available here and now. Every breath, every moment, every decision presents an opportunity to align with the Divine and operate from a state of peace and pleasure.
Imagine a world where you live fully attuned to your inner GPS—where you trust that even the unexpected turns and detours have meaning. Where you release the need for everything to go as planned and instead embrace the unfolding of life as a sacred journey.
I invite you to pause, take a deep breath, and ask yourself: Am I choosing joy in this moment? If not, what small shift can I make right now to align with joy?
May good, great, and awesomeness continue to flow to and through you today.
Stick around for Part 2 of The Pleasure Path Series!
Blessings,
Christian F. Johnson
