Joy vs. Happiness

Last month we explored Happiness. That by changing my definition of happiness this produced huge benefits for my ability to achieve states of happiness more often and ultimately for my enjoyment of life itself.
Happiness is often dependent on outward circumstances. “I’ll be happy when I get an A on my math test”. Or “I’ll be happy when I get a new car”. Happiness is often tied to an outcome. So therefore it can feel fleeting especially if we have not been able to come up with a solid definition for achieving more of these opportunities of happiness in our lives.

States of Joy on the other hand are said to be more long-lasting. This is because a difference and a major key in attaining and developing states of joy is recognizing that there is no Joy without some level of struggle. In fact it is in finding success over something that is not easy to do and therefore is a struggle, which creates a sense of success, and accomplishment when we are able to overcome that struggle.

This means that one cannot truly experience joy in its purest essence until one embraces the struggles and obstacles in life and comes to understand them as an opportunity to succeed and grow greater and more capable. This in turn is proof to the self that you are capable and is a huge aspect of living in a state of Joy.

Those that avoid the necessary struggle to grow greater will never know the true depths of joy. Even in failure we gain, as in the attempt to do a deed we prove hope exists within our lives! There is no joy in a life of ease. It may appear more calm and very well may be, but inevitably it lacks fulfillment and steals all sense of JOY.

I have for some time had a quote in my office. It really speaks to me because we all from time to time face challenges and times of struggle. It’s an unavoidable part of the human experience. We can let these sink us or we can embrace these as opportunities for growth, and learning and for cultivating more joy in our lives.

I hope this quote inspires you like it does me and most of all I hope that it brings you JOY!

This month let’s explore this further and look at how to cultivate Joy in our lives. Is Joy the same as Happiness? Or are there fundamental differences?

I recently took a Hermetics wisdom class that explored these two states of being. While I learnt that they are closely related it became apparent there are indeed distinct differences.

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