Ponderings (February 2010) - “JOY”

According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary …

Joy is “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires; the expression or exhibition of such emotion; a state of happiness or felicity; a source or cause of delight”

Sharing my thoughts …

The other day I was feeling sad and realized I was missing joy.  I had a tremendous urge to go hiking because being in nature is joyful for me; however, with the piles of snow outside, hiking was not an option.  So I sat inside pondering joy.  What brings me joy?  Is it externally or internally driven?  Is it something I can create or “fake it until I make it”?  What could I do at this moment to become joyful?As I was pondering these and other questions I decided to go outside in the snow with one of our cats, Lucky.  As soon as he saw his leash he bound over to me purring with his tail held high; a perfect example of pure joy.  My mood immediately started turning more joyful.  Seeing a joyful expression, even if it was from a cat, was just what I needed!

Questions to ponder …

1. How do you experience joy?
2. What brings you the most joy?
3. How do you help others find joy?
4. What can you do to experience joy on a daily basis?
5. How do others respond to you when you are joyful?
6. How do you feel when you are around a joyful person?
7. Think of a time you were not joyful.  What upset your joy?
8. Does your work bring you joy?  If not what can you do to increase your joy at work?

Ponderings challenge …

For the next month pay attention to what brings you joy.  What can you do to create joy in your life?

Related quotes …

Joy is not in things, it is in us.  [Charles Wagner]

Joy is the feeling of grinning inside.  [Melba Colgrove]

Joy is increased by spreading it to others.  [Robert Murray McChevne]

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.  [Thich Nhat Hanh]

Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile.  [W.T. Grenfell]

Joy of life seems to arise from a sense of being where one belongs.  All the discontented people I know are trying sedulously to be something they are not, to do something they cannot do.  [David Grayson]