Happiness
vs.
Joy
"Happiness is a state of feeling, but joy is a state of being."
Don't you want to be happy in life? Well, actually, the answer is "Maybe yes, maybe no!" Most people describe both happiness and joy as emotions. They are close, but there is a difference between happiness and joy, and it is a significant difference that one needs to understand to best navigate through life.
Happiness is a State of Feeling
In short, happiness is a state of feeling, but joy is a state of being. That's why people say have a "Happy Birthday", yet at Christmastime they say "Joy to the world." Both are positive. Both are emotions. Both are blessings. Yet, there is a significant difference between the two.
Happiness is a feeling which is liquid, it is temporal. It more easily comes and goes. It is more dependent upon (external) circumstances. It is based on other people, things, places, thoughts and events. It is also subjective and depends more upon attitude, expectations, and self-centeredness, i.e., getting what you want. You get a new car and are happy. Your sports team wins and you are happy. You get a promotion and you are happy.
But happiness is liquid, i.e., temporal, and transitory. Happiness is usually caused by experiences and influenced by material objects. It can be related to any activity or company - even to good food. Although it can include contentment, satisfaction, and even intense pleasure, it can more easily dissipate and also be subject to other feelings, events and circumstances. For instance the happiness at one's birthday would fade as one wakes up the next day and needs to go back to work in the real world.
In addition, happiness is more subjective so pessimists may dismiss events or circumstances which others would find happy.
Joy is a State of Being
Joy, however, is a state of being. Joy is a less common but much stronger state than happiness. Joy has a more spiritual rooting. It has more confidence and hope. While happiness may stem from circumstances which are more "self" oriented, joy stems from circumstances which are more self-less, even to the point of personal sacrifice which is a known trigger for joy, i.e., one feels joy as a result of love and seeing others experience blessings, graces, and joy.
This may include caring for others. It includes gratitude, thankfulness, inward peace, and serving others especially where there is no perceived personal gain.
Joy is experienced more by people who believe in and feel close to God, and is often the by-product of living a moral and wholesome lifestyle.
Happiness is often described as a sudden burst of pleasure, like riding in an elevator that takes you up for a short period of time and then back down again. Joy, however, is more of a state of high satisfaction and contentment - almost elation. It is long lasting and more of a quality in a personality than a mere feeling.
While happiness is about one's self-pleasure or worldly or materialistic things, joy is about other's contentment and/or about soul-satisfying, emotional well-being.
Sort of like sadness and depression. While both are seen as feelings sadness is more liquid and event related, ex., "My dog died and I am sad." True depression is more reflective of a state of being with different qualities altogether.
Similarly, another example is if one wins a lottery of $100,000, he/she would be very happy. But if that person works hard and sets up his or her own business and earns $100,000, he/she would feel joy. While the ultimate benefit is the same, the difference in cause is significant and makes the final experience distinctive.
Happiness is a State of Feeling
In short, happiness is a state of feeling, but joy is a state of being. That's why people say have a "Happy Birthday", yet at Christmastime they say "Joy to the world." Both are positive. Both are emotions. Both are blessings. Yet, there is a significant difference between the two.
Happiness is a feeling which is liquid, it is temporal. It more easily comes and goes. It is more dependent upon (external) circumstances. It is based on other people, things, places, thoughts and events. It is also subjective and depends more upon attitude, expectations, and self-centeredness, i.e., getting what you want. You get a new car and are happy. Your sports team wins and you are happy. You get a promotion and you are happy.
But happiness is liquid, i.e., temporal, and transitory. Happiness is usually caused by experiences and influenced by material objects. It can be related to any activity or company - even to good food. Although it can include contentment, satisfaction, and even intense pleasure, it can more easily dissipate and also be subject to other feelings, events and circumstances. For instance the happiness at one's birthday would fade as one wakes up the next day and needs to go back to work in the real world.
In addition, happiness is more subjective so pessimists may dismiss events or circumstances which others would find happy.
Joy is a State of Being
Joy, however, is a state of being. Joy is a less common but much stronger state than happiness. Joy has a more spiritual rooting. It has more confidence and hope. While happiness may stem from circumstances which are more "self" oriented, joy stems from circumstances which are more self-less, even to the point of personal sacrifice which is a known trigger for joy, i.e., one feels joy as a result of love and seeing others experience blessings, graces, and joy.
This may include caring for others. It includes gratitude, thankfulness, inward peace, and serving others especially where there is no perceived personal gain.
Joy is experienced more by people who believe in and feel close to God, and is often the by-product of living a moral and wholesome lifestyle.
Happiness is often described as a sudden burst of pleasure, like riding in an elevator that takes you up for a short period of time and then back down again. Joy, however, is more of a state of high satisfaction and contentment - almost elation. It is long lasting and more of a quality in a personality than a mere feeling.
While happiness is about one's self-pleasure or worldly or materialistic things, joy is about other's contentment and/or about soul-satisfying, emotional well-being.
Sort of like sadness and depression. While both are seen as feelings sadness is more liquid and event related, ex., "My dog died and I am sad." True depression is more reflective of a state of being with different qualities altogether.
Similarly, another example is if one wins a lottery of $100,000, he/she would be very happy. But if that person works hard and sets up his or her own business and earns $100,000, he/she would feel joy. While the ultimate benefit is the same, the difference in cause is significant and makes the final experience distinctive.
"Happiness is an attitude of the mind,
but joy is an attribute of the heart."
but joy is an attribute of the heart."
Many say that while happiness is an attitude of the mind, joy is an attribute of the heart. You don't strive for happiness and hope to find joy. You strive for joy and hope to find a little happiness along the way. But as coins are to treasures, happiness is to joy. A little happiness is OK, but spiritually one wants to find the mother-load, and that is the treasure of joy.
Joy lasts for a longer period of time. Joy warms a person's heart while happiness merely pleases. Joy brings true contentment to one's heart. Joy is fulfilling for every aspect of life. Joy has an honor. Joy is more directly related to love and peace. That's why when one is very happy they "can be ecstatic," yet, because joy is more spiritual they will "weep with joy."
Happiness and Joy are not Mutually Exclusive
Happiness and joy are not mutually exclusive. Happiness is like the food we need to live, but joy is like the whole environment we need to live in. Life is most certainly about both happiness and joy, and both are needed to avoid and counter despair, sadness, hardship or worse.
But while happiness is more of a transitory feeing, joy is the very fiber of your soul. It is the essence of the spirit and fundamental to your true being. That is why one is able to fully grieve with their whole heart, for instance in the event of a death of a loved one, and while a grieving loved one will not feel happiness they can still feel a contentment in joy even during a great loss.
The same is true for other negative events. If one is fired, dumped in a relationship, or experiences another hardship they may lose their happiness but still retain joy in their hearts. Joy is a blessing and gives resilience even for those hurting. Even in the darkest days, when sadness, grief, and loss may threaten to overwhelm you, joy is there. Even the Bible acknowledges this. While the words "happy or happiness" appeared in the Bible about 30 times, the words "joy or rejoice" appeared over 300 times.
A final example is one where studies have found that acquiring money, education, a big house or an expensive car does not affect happiness levels as much as one would think. Researchers have found that people who have won lotteries are no happier than those who did not have that experience. It suggests that the effects of happiness are temporary, and people tend to revert to their baseline level after they have received something external or materialistic in nature. Even enjoying a high quality of life does not depend as much on money and material comfort as people might believe, because worldly comforts merely fill a temporary desire for happiness.
Being joyful, however, is having an internal lasting condition where you feel connected to other people in life, with nature, where you have an acceptance of life, appreciation of life, and a connection with God. Some believe that joy is a conscious commitment to be happy, and to have a sense of contentment for the moment despite life’s challenges. Joy is an attitude or a belief, which soothes even in the most sorrowful of situations. It is an attitude of the heart or spirit. Become mindful and appreciative of your life. Practice recognizing the simple gifts of life. Begin to feel grateful for your life - for your health, employment, family, friends, home, etc. Become aware of the positive aspects of your life. Consistently ask yourself, “What is pleasurable about this moment”? Practice random acts of kindness. Help others. Become active in a cause.
Contemporary society seeks happiness. They tell us what we want, and they usually point to materialism or consumerism as the path to happiness. Instead, strive to feel the consistency of joy, and, of course a little happiness will flow into your life each and every day!
Joy lasts for a longer period of time. Joy warms a person's heart while happiness merely pleases. Joy brings true contentment to one's heart. Joy is fulfilling for every aspect of life. Joy has an honor. Joy is more directly related to love and peace. That's why when one is very happy they "can be ecstatic," yet, because joy is more spiritual they will "weep with joy."
Happiness and Joy are not Mutually Exclusive
Happiness and joy are not mutually exclusive. Happiness is like the food we need to live, but joy is like the whole environment we need to live in. Life is most certainly about both happiness and joy, and both are needed to avoid and counter despair, sadness, hardship or worse.
But while happiness is more of a transitory feeing, joy is the very fiber of your soul. It is the essence of the spirit and fundamental to your true being. That is why one is able to fully grieve with their whole heart, for instance in the event of a death of a loved one, and while a grieving loved one will not feel happiness they can still feel a contentment in joy even during a great loss.
The same is true for other negative events. If one is fired, dumped in a relationship, or experiences another hardship they may lose their happiness but still retain joy in their hearts. Joy is a blessing and gives resilience even for those hurting. Even in the darkest days, when sadness, grief, and loss may threaten to overwhelm you, joy is there. Even the Bible acknowledges this. While the words "happy or happiness" appeared in the Bible about 30 times, the words "joy or rejoice" appeared over 300 times.
A final example is one where studies have found that acquiring money, education, a big house or an expensive car does not affect happiness levels as much as one would think. Researchers have found that people who have won lotteries are no happier than those who did not have that experience. It suggests that the effects of happiness are temporary, and people tend to revert to their baseline level after they have received something external or materialistic in nature. Even enjoying a high quality of life does not depend as much on money and material comfort as people might believe, because worldly comforts merely fill a temporary desire for happiness.
Being joyful, however, is having an internal lasting condition where you feel connected to other people in life, with nature, where you have an acceptance of life, appreciation of life, and a connection with God. Some believe that joy is a conscious commitment to be happy, and to have a sense of contentment for the moment despite life’s challenges. Joy is an attitude or a belief, which soothes even in the most sorrowful of situations. It is an attitude of the heart or spirit. Become mindful and appreciative of your life. Practice recognizing the simple gifts of life. Begin to feel grateful for your life - for your health, employment, family, friends, home, etc. Become aware of the positive aspects of your life. Consistently ask yourself, “What is pleasurable about this moment”? Practice random acts of kindness. Help others. Become active in a cause.
Contemporary society seeks happiness. They tell us what we want, and they usually point to materialism or consumerism as the path to happiness. Instead, strive to feel the consistency of joy, and, of course a little happiness will flow into your life each and every day!
