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5 reasons to choose joy over happiness everyday of your life, comes down to living from the heart center of your life. No matter where you are in your life, it’s those experiences that lead you to want more joy every day, and here’s why. While both may seem synonymous, there’s a profound distinction between the two, each stand on their own merits.
1. Rootedness vs. Fleetingness
Happiness often hinges on external circumstances such as a promotion, a new relationship, or material gains.
In contrast, joy emanates from within, joy lights your soul up! It anchors us to a state of inner peace irrespective of external fluctuations. While happiness is transient, joy serves as a steadfast companion through life’s highs and lows.
I don’t know about you, but joy gives me freedom and peace, happiness gives me short term gratification. Happiness is a roller coaster that at times is an anxious and exhausting ride.
Waiting in line with you ticket to be stamped over and over again.
“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”
Henri Nouwen
2. Acceptance vs. Expectation
Pursuing happiness often entails chasing elusive standards and trendy norms.
Conversely, joy thrives in acceptance of oneself, of others, and of life’s inherent imperfections. By embracing the present moment with gratitude, we cultivate a reservoir of joy that transcends fleeting desires and unattainable expectations. Joy living from the inside out.
3. Resilience vs. Vulnerability
When storms of adversity rain down on us, happiness may falter, leaving us vulnerable to despair. joy can come in the form of prayer and our spiritualty. Honestly, I can’t go without prayer, I don’t go a day without prayer.
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”
Joy is a resilient force that empowers us to weather life’s storms with grace and fortitude. It’s the unwavering belief that even in darkness, there’s a flicker of light waiting to be discovered. Joy resonates with hope.
4. Connection vs. Isolation
Happiness can sometimes isolate us, as we seek validation through external achievements or comparisons with others.
On the contrary, joy fosters connection forging bonds of empathy, compassion, and shared humanity. It’s in moments of genuine connection that joy flourishes, transcending individual boundaries to unite us in our common human experience.
5. Depth vs. Surface
Happiness often skims the surface of our experiences, providing fleeting moments of elation.
Joy, however, delves deep into the recesses of our soul, uncovering a profound sense of purpose and meaning. It’s the quiet whisper that reverberates within, reminding us that true fulfillment lies not in the pursuit of happiness, but in the cultivation of joy.
“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.”
― Rumi
Final thoughts and words of encouragement
While happiness may be a desirable pursuit for the moment, it’s joy that sustains us through life’s journey, infusing each moment of our lives with meaning and purpose.
Joy is not a destination to be reached, but a journey to be embraced.
Life shows us this, amidst its myriad colors and textures, you find joy in the ordinary, strength in adversity, and grace in every moment. Joy allows you to embrace the full spectrum of the human experience, for it’s in embracing both the light and the shadows of life that we discover the true essence of joy.
We’ll talk chat soon,
