This morning as I conducted my morning routine, I began to wonder what the difference is between joyful and happy. I consider myself a pretty jovial morning person, as long as I get at least 5 hours of sleep and listen to some music in the morning. But usually in a few hours that wears off due to a certain condition, but this isn't about me and my issues.
So I had to look up the definition of joy and it stated that it is a feeling of great pleasure, well-being, success, or good fortune and if you used it as a verb then you could even say rejoice. The word happy is defined as feeling or showing pleasure or contentment; a pleasurable or satisfying experience. A little known fact, but the word happy can't be a verb. The definition of happiness is used in the context of mental or emotional states that includes positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.
So is it possible to be happy in the middle of difficult circumstances and is possible to achieve both?
It may not always be possible to be happy, but it is always possible to have joy. We are meant to have a purposeful life and when we find our passions, that is when we feel alive. Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, and can be viewed as a destination. Joy is what you experience as you go to that destination since it is an attitude or the perception that you have as you travel. It is truly possible to have joy and not be happy.
Take your job for an example. You might not look forward to going into your place of employment everyday because of the stress and situations that are placed upon which destroys your happiness but then you realize that this will be another opportunity for you to converse with that co-worker that inspires, motivates, and gives you that great pleasure of making you want to get out of bed which brings you pleasure or joy.
Joy and happiness coexist for an important reason which is to allow us to live a fulfilling life. If you base your happiness on circumstance, you will remain unhappy, but when you understand that troubles are part of your healing and building process, then you will experience joy in your worst circumstances. Life is simply to be lived and enjoyed. So live and love life. #SPEAK2MYHEART
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