Joy and Happiness
Last weekend when I was in Calgary, I met up with my friend David and we had this extremely interesting conversation over some eel sushi (no idea what it's called). And since then, we've still been pondering about it...
It went something like this:
Me: Hey, you know, someone asked me what is the meaning of 'Happiness' today. What do you think is the meaning of 'Happiness?'
D: Hmmm, I've never thought about it before.
Me: Yeah, neither have I. But, to think of it now, I think 'Happiness' depends on external factors. It's things of the world, situation which we are in which makes us happy or unhappy.
D: That's a good summary...
Me: And I think joy and happiness are quite different too. Joy, I think is dependant on an internal source.
D: Actually, I beg to differ. Joy can be related to external factors. I mean, we have periods of 'joy' which is shortlived. It's like an outburst of 'Joy.' Joy is perhaps harder to attain than that of happiness.
Me: Hmmm...well, there are some truths in that...but I still think joy is an emotion of an internal factor. Okay, for example, what do you deduce from this: "Mary is a joyful woman."
D: Hmmm...Mary is a joyful woman, she has joy within.
Me: Exactly, even though she might be facing an unhappy situation, she can still have joy within...because the joy is in her heart. One can have joy even when one is unhappy. That joy therefore is more long term than that of happiness.
D: Well, then let's say if we go with your argument that joy is from within; dependant on an internal source, then it cannot be long term.
Me: Why not?
D: Coz you would have to reconnect with that factor which gives you the joy within, otherwise it is short term too.
Me: You're right...I've never thought of it that way. Hmmm...but I guess if one reconnects with that factor which gives us joy on a frequent basis, then one has permanent joy.
We didn't agree with the meanings, the time period, and the source of joy and happiness. However, what we agreed to was that the eel sushi was indeed delicious!
So, what do you think about Joy and Happiness? Is Happiness based on external factors and Joy on an Internal Factor(s)? Is Joy and Happiness short or long term?
More importantly, IF you agree with me that Happiness is dependant on external factors and cannot sometimes be controlled (another destiny discussion next time, eh) while Joy is an internal factor, how do we attain Joy?
Feel free to kick our butts!
It went something like this:
Me: Hey, you know, someone asked me what is the meaning of 'Happiness' today. What do you think is the meaning of 'Happiness?'
D: Hmmm, I've never thought about it before.
Me: Yeah, neither have I. But, to think of it now, I think 'Happiness' depends on external factors. It's things of the world, situation which we are in which makes us happy or unhappy.
D: That's a good summary...
Me: And I think joy and happiness are quite different too. Joy, I think is dependant on an internal source.
D: Actually, I beg to differ. Joy can be related to external factors. I mean, we have periods of 'joy' which is shortlived. It's like an outburst of 'Joy.' Joy is perhaps harder to attain than that of happiness.
Me: Hmmm...well, there are some truths in that...but I still think joy is an emotion of an internal factor. Okay, for example, what do you deduce from this: "Mary is a joyful woman."
D: Hmmm...Mary is a joyful woman, she has joy within.
Me: Exactly, even though she might be facing an unhappy situation, she can still have joy within...because the joy is in her heart. One can have joy even when one is unhappy. That joy therefore is more long term than that of happiness.
D: Well, then let's say if we go with your argument that joy is from within; dependant on an internal source, then it cannot be long term.
Me: Why not?
D: Coz you would have to reconnect with that factor which gives you the joy within, otherwise it is short term too.
Me: You're right...I've never thought of it that way. Hmmm...but I guess if one reconnects with that factor which gives us joy on a frequent basis, then one has permanent joy.
We didn't agree with the meanings, the time period, and the source of joy and happiness. However, what we agreed to was that the eel sushi was indeed delicious!
So, what do you think about Joy and Happiness? Is Happiness based on external factors and Joy on an Internal Factor(s)? Is Joy and Happiness short or long term?
More importantly, IF you agree with me that Happiness is dependant on external factors and cannot sometimes be controlled (another destiny discussion next time, eh) while Joy is an internal factor, how do we attain Joy?
Feel free to kick our butts!
posted by Grace at 11/19/2005 06:51:00 PM
3 Comments:
Harlow!
Joy and happiness.. hmm.. interesting argument.. hehehe
IMHO, joy refers to more to an attitude towards life rather than an emotion that one experiences. Even in tough times, one can be joyful because of the different attitude one brings to the situation.
Whereas, happiness is an elated feeling during a particular circumstance, more of external factors.
As for your argument about joy and reconnecting with the factor which gives us joy, it's the love of God... the Holy Spirit and His forgiveness. =D Such joy can only be found in Him =D
That's my 2 cents. What do you think? =D
Cheers,
Chin Wee
grace my dear...
i do reckon your friend david answered the question of joy beautifully.
joy is an internal state, which would as your friend said, would be shortlived if not for us reconnecting with what gives us that joy.
we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. and as such, God resides in us. Yet God is omnipresent and is all around us. He is our source for joy. kepp connected with Him, and your joy levels stay up. disconnect from Him and your joy fizzles out.
you two were agreeing more than you think you were :)
who cares, what a dumb discussion
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