JOY IS A CHOICE !
Joy is a choice
The word is short but powerful. “Give the world your love, your availability, your aura, but give also your joy. This too is an immense gift”. God is the thing that brings joy. Therefore, joy is actually more profound than happiness. As odd as it may sound, this is why, you know, believers and religious people can still be happy in difficult times.
When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. ~ Buddha
Biblical definition: “Joy is a feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or what is happening around us. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, abiding in God’s presence and from hope in His word.10-M.”
Dalai Lama : “Joy is the reward, really, of seeking to give joy to others. When you show compassion, when you show caring, when you show love to others, do things for others, in a wonderful way you have a deep joy that you can get in no other way. You can’t buy it with money.
Rick Warren : “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joy
According to merriam webster dictionary:
Therefore, the word joy refers to the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune, and is typically associated with feelings of intense, long lasting happiness. The true definition of joy goes beyond the limited explanation presented in a dictionary — “a feeling a great pleasure and happiness.” True joy is a limitless, life-defining, transformative reservoir waiting to be tapped into. It requires the utmost surrender and, like love, is a choice to be made.
Feeling joy and happiness can actually rewire your brain. The more you feel joy, the more you want joy. And the more you want joy, the more you push aside what are considered “negative”, low-vibration emotions, like frustration, disappointment, anger, hatred, or resentment.
Feeling joy more frequently can help you understand those negative emotions better and help you embrace a more objective point of view when something negative happens.
The word “joy” is short but encompasses numerous concepts. It is hopeful, tranquil, kind, faithful, gentle, honest, patient, and self-controlled. It is also kind, good, and faithful. These are described as the fruit of the Spirit in the Bible. the outcomes that others see as a result of our conscious existence. Joy is a lasting feeling of contentment that is rooted in hope and well-being as a whole.
Joy on material achievements like wealth, fame, good family, respects, etc. Yet, the real joy of more of spiritual attainment. If one has peace and love in his life, it will be said that he is happy as well. Of course, as happiness is nothing but a natural feeling when there is peace and loving relationships in our life, isn’t it? Also, there is a deeper joy – a joy of existence. Just because you exist. Think about this. Joy is a momentous feeling of freedom and attainment. Happiness depends on attainments (what we have achieved or earn).
Affirmation Practice: I am a joyful soul. Whatever I do, I do it with joy. It has become my natural state of living. My every karma reflects my inner happiness.
How do you get spiritual joy?
Through that joy, they unlock a sense of purpose and hope which ultimately releases them from poverty. For God’s children, the power of joy is never-ending. Although not one fruit of the spirit is more important than another, joy enables us to experience the others in the way that Jesus did. Following are the ways for experiencing spiritual joy:
- Find out what God has planned for you. You are more than average.
- Find Joy in every Circumstances. Recognizing God’s hand in your life, even in difficult times, is one of the keys to joy.
- Keep in mind that happiness multiplies.
- Find God in the mundane and straightforward.
Benefits of feeling more joy
- Promotes a healthier lifestyle.
- Boosts immune system.
- Fights stress and pain.
- Supports longevity.
- Attracts positivity and happiness in life
- Keeps mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually abundant and healthy.
Here are five ways you can boost your happiness on a daily basis.
- Daily Gratitude Practice It has been demonstrated that expressing gratitude does more than just improve your mood.
- Be in the company of positive people.
- Engage in regular acts of kindness.
- Spend More Time with Your Friends and Family.
- Instead of buying things, invest in experiences.
What are the 8 pillars of joy?
The true and most abundant source of lasting joy in life is to give to others. As the Dalai Lama puts it: “Joy is the reward, really, of seeking to give joy to others. The 8 Pillars of Joy According to the Dalai-Lama are reproduced as under:
- Divided by Mind (perspective, humility, humor, acceptance) and
- Divided by Heart (forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, generosity).
It is a natural human tendency to believe that experiencing difficulties and adverse circumstances would not be a cause for celebration. It seems strange to choose to respond to difficult situations in life with inner contentment and satisfaction. Joy can be chosen! But the Lord is the originator of true joy.
What is joy vs happiness?
Although happiness is a state of pleasure or feeling, many people believe it is fleeting because it is influenced by our surroundings. Joy, in my opinion, is a mental state and attitude about how we live our lives. Being content with one’s life, regardless of the circumstances, is joy because it comes from Spirit.
Therefore, happiness comes from external factors such as material things, people, places, and experiences. Meanwhile, joy is a more internal feeling that comes from being at peace with who you are and what you’ve achieved.
What are the characteristics of joy?
- Joy is Constant. When people tune in to the feeling of joy, what often emerges is an awareness that this joy is somehow always with us.
- Joy Inspires Creativity.
- Joy is Often Unreasonable.
- Joy is Untroubled.
- Joy is Enough.
What are the Benefits of Joy?
Our joyfulness allows us to be the light of inspiration for others. It gives us wisdom because of our direct link with the wisdom of the Universe. As our light gives others wisdom, we can help one another grow and expand our souls.
Joy has healing powers. It has the ability to consume the pain from our lives completely. And it does it from the inside out through our awareness and gratitude. This curative ability is how people who have a joyful state of being allow others’ hurts to roll away without causing harm. They see the other’s pain and recognize that the other is unaware and, therefore, can forgive easily.
With joy comes internal peace from the knowledge that it connects us to Source. Therefore, the Universe is on our side and is conspiring for our good. Therefore, all our experiences, those the egoic mind defines as good or bad, are meant for our growth.
When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. ~ Rumi
Moving Forward as Joyful Beings
Our authentic selves recognize its eternal connection to Spirit. It knows that when we act from our hearts, our soulful beings, we can easily maintain a joyful state of mind. This joyfulness is our natural state. If we aren’t joyful, then we need to determine why we’ve disconnected from our authentic selves. Once we are realigned with our authenticity, our joy returns.
Joy gives us wings! In times of joy, our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the world and to find our sphere of usefulness. ~ Abdul-Bahá
How to practice the art of finding joy in little things
The art of finding joy in little things is the practice of cultivating gratitude and contentment in one’s life. It involves actively seeking out the positive aspects of one’s surroundings and circumstances, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they may seem The art of finding joy in little things is the practice of cultivating gratitude and contentment in one’s life. It involves actively seeking out the positive aspects of one’s surroundings and circumstances, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they may seem. It can also involve finding meaning and purpose in everyday tasks and activities, and taking the time to savour simple pleasures. By focusing on the present moment and cultivating a positive attitude, it is possible to find joy in even the most ordinary of circumstances. (Also read: Forging our own path to lasting happiness)
When we can find joy and meaning in the small things, we are better able to weather the challenges and difficulties that life inevitably brings. This practice can also help to reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being and happiness. Finding joy in little things is a skill that can be developed and nurtured over time. It involves cultivating an attitude of gratitude and mindfulness and being present in the moment to fully appreciate the small pleasures that life has to offer. Here are a few ways you can practice finding joy in little things:
Keep a gratitude journal: Each day, write down three things you are grateful for, no matter how small they may seem. This practice helps you focus on the positive aspects of your life and cultivate a sense of gratitude.
Practice mindfulness: Being mindful means being fully present in the moment, without judgment. To practice mindfulness, try activities such as meditation, yoga, or simply taking a few deep breaths and paying attention to your surroundings.
Take time to appreciate the beauty around you: Whether it’s a sunset, a flower, or a simple act of kindness, take a moment to fully appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. This could be as simple as stopping to smell the flowers or pausing to watch the sunset.
Find joy in the little moments of daily life: It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and miss the small joys that can be found in the ordinary. Take a few minutes to savor your morning coffee, or listen to your favorite song while you drive to work. These little moments can bring a lot of joy and happiness to your day.
Seek out new experiences: Trying new things can help you see the world differently and find joy in the unexpected. Take a cooking class, go on a hike, or visit a museum. The thrill of experiencing something new can be a great source of joy.
Spend time with loved ones: Building and maintaining close relationships with friends and family can bring a sense of joy and connection. Take the time to have meaningful conversations and engage in activities you enjoy together.
Practice acts of kindness: Performing acts of kindness can bring joy to both the giver and the receiver. Whether it’s volunteering at a local shelter, helping a neighbour with a task, or simply offering a compliment to a stranger, these small acts can have a big impact on your happiness.
Find humour in life: Laughing and finding joy in the silly or absurd can help lighten the mood and bring a sense of happiness. Watch a funny movie, tell jokes with friends, or simply find humor in everyday situations.
Practicing the art of finding joy in little things requires effort and mindfulness, but it can have a big impact on your overall sense of well-being and happiness. By cultivating gratitude and staying present at the moment, you can learn to find joy in the small pleasures of life.
Why do we constantly contemplate or seek peace and happiness?
Because our true nature is to always be content and happy. We are made so that whenever we don’t feel content and at peace in our lives, we feel bad or see signs that something isn’t right. The majority of us are unable to comprehend why I experience discomfort whenever I lose my happiness or peace.
We are peaceful beings with happiness as our true nature, which is the real reason why we always seek peace and happiness. Humans are naturally drawn to seek happiness and tranquility in life. We are putting our inner qualities to the test in the wrong ways, like with drugs, alcohol, and sex. Although we intend to have pleasure all the time, the mode of consumption we select is detrimental to our life.
We have all seven of these innate qualities within ourselves. We really need to take some time in the morning to become aware of these qualities, and then we won’t need to look outside for happiness or peace. You already have it in you.
Joy
Definition of joy in our life has become so much limited .We have attached labels to everything like when I will have that thing then only I will feel joyful or when I have that ambiance then only I will feel joyful etc. To achieve such condition based joy we try hard or we try to buy that moments or spend money to make that ambiance.
Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God. ~ Pierre de Chardin
Innate quality of soul is joy where you are always joyful being. Our true nature is already joyful. When you get into soul consciousness then we will realize that every moment in our life is joyful.We have created our opinions for everything so that we are not enjoying the joyful moments.
When we see the nature around us then you will full naturally joyful .If you don’t make any comments on that and if you just observe the things as nature as they are then you can feel bliss and joy. Simply observing the clouds or sound of chirping birds will create feeling of joy.
Happiness
Happiness is the mindset. We all have the choice in our life to choose happiness intentionally over the unhappiness. We are running behind the happiness but by the wrong means. Happiness is also attached with the objects or moments in our life. Our mind doesn’t allow us to to be happy always it tell you to achieve something then only you will be happy in life.
Happiness is our natural disposition. We are blessed to live every moment happily. But our mind is not allowing us to live happily. Mind always compares with others and always makes you run behind the materialistic happiness.
Soul consciousness will make you realize that you can live happily the every moment in life. Every moment in life is precious and you can make it happy. Once you start appreciating the life then you will enjoy life. Happiness is your nature so live every moment happily. Don’t judge things or compare by mind then you can appreciate every occasion.
The circumstances of life are not the source of joy. Joy is the quiet trust in a great God who works for our good even when we don’t immediately see the way.
Find joy in everything you choose to do. Every job, relationship, home… It’s your responsibility to love it or change it. ~ Chuck Palahniuk
