Joy

What is Joy?

Joy can be defined as the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying.

Synonyms for joy are satisfaction, comfort, delight, elation, wonder, jubilance, and gladness.

Thoughts

In the previous blog, we looked at happiness and some of the nuances. With an imaginary scale or rating, joy might be considered a step up from happiness. If happiness were like a penthouse suite with a wonderful view from a west-facing window, joy might be the entire floor with a 360° view from windows facing in all directions.

Both joy and happiness are delightful feelings to experience, but they are slightly different. In yesterday’s blog, we described happiness as a temporary state that tends to be sparked or triggered by external factors. Joy might be considered habitual and is derived internally. Perhaps one experiences joy when they are more at peace with who they are and understanding why they are who they are.

Another way to describe the difference between happiness and joy is by explaining the distinction between trait and state emotions. Happiness was defined as a state whereas joy may be defined as a trait. Trait emotions are viewed as consistently occurring tendencies whereas state emotions are more temporary and experienced in a specific situation.

I offer you seven exercises you could practice to increase the amount of joy in your life.

1. Practice quieting your mind with Meditation or daily Affirmations.
2. Practice Gratitude and keep a journal to track the things that bring you Joy.
3. Practice Compassion and Acts of Kindness.
4. Look for the good in everything and everyone.
5. Surround yourself with like-minded people.
6. Reduce your time on social media.
7. Reduce time listening to current events from news sources.

Gratitude, Compassion & Happiness with some Piece of Joy

Quotes

“Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.”
~Marianne Williamson

“Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.”
~Emily Dickinson

“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.”
~Buddha

“Where there is love, there is joy.”
~Mother Teresa

“If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment.”
~Carlos Santana