Spark joy. Enjoy the light. Stay curious.
In 2020, I wrote about my word for the year, brave. It’s still on the whiteboard in my office along with the sweet messages from my mom – which after being up there for 4+ years, they might be un-erasable at this point.
My word for the year in 2021 was grace and I (regrettably) skipped in 2022.
Coming into 2023, I decided to refocus and get back to picking my word for the year. I chose ‘Joy” and have started learning more about…
- What does joy feel like?
- What brings me joy?
- Who brings me joy?
- How can I bring joy to others?
While I’m still exploring answers to these questions and reflecting, here’s what I’ve discovered so far:
Happiness does not equal joy
There is a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is a temporary emotion. Joy is a feeling within that is not affected by circumstances. I was chatting with a co-worker about joy, and he shared an article with me, and I thought this summed up the difference well.
“Joy and happiness are often used interchangeably. However, happiness technically refers to the pleasurable feelings (emotions) that result from a situation, experience, or objects, whereas joy is a state of mind that can be found even in times of grief or uncertainty. Thus, we can work on cultivating joy independent of our circumstances. Winning the lottery may trigger (short-term) happiness; spending time engaging in meaningful activities may result in long-term joy.”
Comparison is a thief of joy
Joy is something you feel, not something you find
I loved this excerpt from Lisa McLeod’s blog, How to Feel More Joy at Work.,
“The more we convince ourselves that joy is something we are given, or at best, will eventually find, the more elusive it becomes. Instead, view joy as something you build, through your space, your small actions, and intentional changes. It’s empowering to be in control, to recognize that joy is not only something you deserve, it’s something you create.”
If I spend time and energy looking for joy, I will miss the opportunity to feel it and experience it – and lose myself in the process.
Joy can be small
Experiencing joy doesn’t have to be grand production. It can be within our ordinary moments with ourselves and each other. Brene Brown talks about joy by saying,
“Twinkle lights are the perfect metaphor for joy. Joy is not constant. It comes to us in moments – often ordinary moments. Sometimes we miss out on the bursts of joy because we’re too busy chasing down extraordinary moments. Other times we’re so afraid of the dark that we don’t dare let ourselves enjoy the light.”
Here’s to sparking joy and enjoying the light while staying curious in the journey.
