It can be often be quite difficult to differentiate between happiness and joy. The simplest way to describe the two is:
- Happiness is often based on more short-term fleeting emotions and excitement, it creates a good feeling for a little while. Happiness can range from small scale feelings to intense feelings. Happiness more often than not depends upon external factors.
- Joy is built upon a more spiritual foundation and approach to life. Joy is cultivated and nurtured within. Often, when one experiences joy, there is a calmness and connection to one’s authentic self. In turn, a joyful person is usually therefore in a position to help others and focuses on solutions, development and harmony.
In contemporary society, happiness often stems from instant gratification. To a degree, if this is healthy there is nothing wrong with this. We are all human and will be pleased with a new purchase, exciting news, or being part of a social media community. However, when these things become an obsession, and the only things we place meaning or importance upon, we can often lose our sense of direction and purpose. And then, we are no longer left with positive emotions, often a sense of absence, anxiety, desperation, obsession and inner turmoil.
When we focus on Joy, we prioritise our well-being, peace of mind, and physical body. Joyful activities have a genuine benefit, not a superficial one. Dancing, cooking, writing, meditation, spending time with loved ones, exploring, helping others…all these things benefit our mind and body. We consequently feel healthier, more empowered, and better from the inside out as opposed to working from the outside in.
Within the western world there are adverts, articles and programmes encouraging us to constantly keep seeking more. There is little to encourage us to be happy within ourselves or understand that is one of the most important responsibilities are human being can possess. Because when we are joyful, we are at our best state of being and we are then in a position to help others.
Write down lists of things that used to make you happy- that are not materialistic or dependent upon others. Think of what makes you feel your healthiest. Engage in creative activities or tasks where you feel a sense of accomplishment. Practice gratitude daily, and gratitude towards the creator. Accept that life is what it is in this present moment and choose to fill the present with happiness rather than angst. Work through negativity as opposed to running away from it or seeking to instantly replace the emotion with a temporary one. A key component is movement. Emotional movement, physical movement, movement of understanding and thoughts. Movement releases blockage and negativity.
Joy provides great strength. It requires a connection and when we discover this, life is a lot easier to navigate through and we can begin to enjoy life for what it is.
Natural Intentions 