Definition Of Joy Essay

In our everyday lives, joy has become synonymous with both happiness and pleasure. We have diminished the meaning of the word by using it in place of the more appropriate terms in order to provide emphasis. C.S. Lewis takes more literal definition of joy, and so assigns it more significance in his mind, separating it from any other emotion. Though he acknowledges that oftentimes happiness and pleasure occur simultaneously with joy, they are not the root cause, nor are they the same emotion. I think the best distinction Lewis makes between happiness and pleasure is when he states “Joy… must have the stab, the pang, the inconsolable longing” (Lewis 72). This look into the root of joy demonstrates that joy is not just happiness, it is more complex and not always a fully positive emotion. There can be sadness and longing behind the joy, but it does not diminish the great properties of joy. Because joy is so great it is often sought, but as Lewis says “it is never a possession, always a desire for something longer ago or further away or still ‘about to be’” (Lewis 78). The fleeting nature of joy only adds to the intrigue, as it often comes at the most unexpected times. Lewis recognizes this, as he titled the book “Surprised by Joy.” Lewis also thinks that one’s definition of joy is constantly changing with our experiences. As he learned more about some subject, one that used to bring him joy to study, he “realizes that this was something quite different from the original Joy.”

What is pure joy? Is it that fleeting feeling of happiness? Or is it the deep satisfaction that comes with knowing God? In Pilgrims Progress, Josh Bunyan follows the pilgrimage of Christian. When Christian commences his pilgrimage to the Celestial City, a heavy burden lies on his back and it is not until he runs to the cross that his burden dissolves. Many characters led Christian on his way, but many were a determent to him. In Christian’s story, my character is Joy. Joy has a miraculous meaning, a soothing spirit, and a passionate purpose. Being happy is nothing compared to being joyful.

A person’s happiness can have an impact on others. People can get agitated because a group or individual is at peace or sons and daughter can be happy as a result of witnessing their parents being content. Delightment is capable of encouraging expansion of one’s knowledge. For instance, if one realizes their potential in achieving greatness in a certain subject, the satisfaction could lead to desiring to draw in more knowledge, knowing the greatness that individual can achieve. Someone who is depressed doesn’t have the motivation to achieve something positive. There are people that misinterpret or have a negative pleasure and peace of mind. That’s the incredible potential happiness

No I feel like joy is not the most prevalent emotion. “We feel happy or sad depending on how events influence the likelihood of our getting the things we want in life.” (pg.347) Even though we may feel joy a lot I believe that there are certain days where one emotion is dominant over the other and no one day is the same as the next. The events in your life that are going on through the day can make your emotions bounce all over. 2.

Knowing they're happy for whatever reason is where i find my happiness. The feeling of happiness starts off with just a simple look at something or even someone you love. Having the feeling of happiness in your heart that slowly creeps up until you're smiling for what seems like ages. True happiness doesn't last for seconds or even minutes, it feels as though it lasts a life time.

The Torah contains many references to happiness and its attainment. The main word that is used to mean happiness is simcha. The Jewish people say in the daily prayers, “Serve G-d with joy” (Psalms 100:2). In Deuteronomy, G-d rebukes the Jewish nation and warns them that if they do not follow His words, they will be cursed with detailed specific punishments. G-d attributes all of these punishments to the fact that they “did not serve G-d with joy and with a good heart” (Deuteronomy, 28:47).

Everyone has their own way to find happiness. As it is a feeling, each of us has our own range and different definitions about this term. We know that there are many joyful things

The sensation of happiness is something that has undeniably been argued about for many years by a wide range of philosophical individuals. Questions about the true meaning of being happy are very common, as there are many different viewpoints that have very different opinions on the matter. A well respected analytical philosopher, Richard Kraut, attempted to differentiate a few of these viewpoints, as well as his own standpoint in comparison with Aristotle, who had his own definition of happiness. Aristotle defined happiness in his Nicomachean Ethics as “eudaimon”, which has roughly been translated as “human flourishing”. The term does not directly mean happiness, rather, he implored that the term differentiates between the notion of feeling happy, and the act of leading a happy life. Aristotle argued that these happy feelings only pertain to one’s internal identity and are only experienced by that particular individual. Leading a happy life is also experienced internally, but it is subject to external criticism, thus giving meaning to a similar, yet different idea. One may argue that a person’s life is full of happiness and joy because they have experienced these emotions, while another, who may have witnessed a large portion of their life, might say they have not had a happy life, despite some of the happy instances had by the person.

Father Himes mentions that there is a difference in being happy and feeling joy. I find that it does not take very much for me to be happy in life, however it is the special moments in life that bring me joy. I am usually joyful when I am going through challenge that specifically makes me have to incorporate all my strengths. I am not talking about challenges like getting a flat tire on the freeway or dealing with plumbing issues. I am talking specifically when

Living a joy-filled life is too put ones hopes and expectations into unfading things...living life to dust one-self off after each fall. So what draws the line between joy and happiness? Happiness fades with each punch that life throws, but joy gains momentum with every test. Joy is going beyond a pocket full of money and living life to it's fullest. It's stopping from a busy work day to step outside and take in a deep breath. It's when you don't give up with every trying circumstance, that you appreciate your prize at the finish line. Happiness is a pursuit, but joy is the

Joy is a quality of the soul. Joy is realized when the personality and soul are in harmony. Joy can also be defined as the feeling or energy of love. Unconditional love is our essence and joy its expression. How does joy differ from ordinary happiness? Joy is untouched by circumstances, whereas happiness is affected by what goes on around us. Joy can grow in spite of conditions; happiness cannot. That is why Joy is an inside job.

There's a children's song that is sung at many Christian summer camps that sings about the nine different fruits of the Spirit. Starting with Love and ending with Self Control, the fruits of the Spirit are not a watermelon or a coconut but rather they are the products of a life centered around the belief and faith of Jesus Christ. Second in the lineup of the fruits of the Spirit is Joy and many times it can be easily forgotten due to its seemingly first place competitor, Love. While Joy is not always the first thought in a person's mind, it plays just as pivotal a role as Love or any of the other fruits of the Spirit. Joy is vital to the human relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and is one of the greatest markers for the development

Life is found to be more favorable if one can ascertain the asymmetry between joy and happiness. Happiness is ephemeral, circumstantial, and fleeting while joy is abiding, continual, and everlasting. Joy is seen in many; the glimmer in a child’s innocent eyes, the aging countenance of a widow, the glistening faces of newlyweds, and even the mildly destitute seen roaming around the moonlit empty street corners. Everyone is accountable in safeguarding their own personal joy. As a learned emanation, joy is an aura that everyone is adept to possess, whether it is suppressed and hidden, or it radiates from within. Joy is cultivated through experience and definition and is an orientation of the soul that grants perpetual hope.

I believe that true happiness is being able to handle life and adversities together in a truthful way and find some connection and commonality in it, and this may not always translate to joy. It is however, authentic and when given the choice between the two, I choose

As human beings, we all have the capability of experiencing emotions and feelings. People can experience happiness,