Happiness VS Joy
My little recharge reflections for this post, are about happiness. I have had some interesting conversations of late which spurred me to write this!
Someone asked me if I had ever experienced joy – real joy and it got me thinking about what happiness was, and how it differed to joy.
If we first take happiness; many people can say they either are happy, or have experienced being happy, the key word being experience or perhaps feeling. We experience happiness from external stimulus, triggered by activities we do, people and our reactions, events that take place or material things. For example “I was so happy when I passed my exam, won, a deal, got to visit Greece, bought a new car”.
Most people find it easy to give examples of happiness and when they show it, everyone knows about it, as the display of happiness is also external. Happiness is transient and comes and goes.
Joy on the other hand, seems to come from within and has a more spiritual connection. To me it is contentment – being at peace with who I am and where I am at in my life (in all aspects). As a state, joy is stronger than happiness and longer lasting. Imagine the joy of seeing your child for the first time or being in love. Sometimes it is more about selflessness, expressing gratitude or doing something for someone else.
I love closing my eyes walking on the beach, breathing in the sea breeze, and listening to the waves (or being in a New Zealand native bush, feeling the cool air, inhaling earthy scents and hearing birds singing) – pure joy at just being right in the moment……yes contentment…and inward jubilation :).
It surprised me, to discuss, in this same conversation, that sadly many people don’t experience joy. They are forever in pursuit of happiness and satisfaction from external events and pleasures, but never realise the real stuff ALL comes from within.
Finding happiness, a little like thinking positive, is futile. That is however, another blog – if you are interested in those thoughts, take a look at Mark Manson. He writes some great books of self-help for people who hate self-help books. (The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck and Everything is F*cked) .
Today, be content with today. Create the time – for JOY! Thank you for reading. (and if you like this sort of thing, and wanted more good energy, inspiration, there are some great things being shared on our Recharge Time Community Group in FB – here.
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