This month, a second installation from my forthcoming mini book: Living Large on Little: How to See the Invitation in Limitation. It is divided into sections of vignettes, and the following bit appears in the “Joy” section....
The idea that an apple a day keeps the doctor away only works if we choose to eat the apple.
Joy is an active choice we make.
I like to distinguish happiness from joy. To me, happiness depends on a certain outcome or circumstance, but joy is independent of any externals—it’s a heart-set. A choice.
This means I can still have joy in the midst of grief, but I probably can’t be happy. I can be happy when I buy a new pair of boots, but not necessarily when I splatter paint all over them—and joy doesn’t require any specific footwear.
But then, I sometimes forget my own theory and use happiness and joy interchangeably.
Sometimes, joy is taking a moment to laugh at ourselves and all of our theories.
(PS: If you’re in Southern Oregon, save the date for the book launch on the evening of November 9...more info soon!)
*Living Large on Little is now available here.
(PS: If you’re in Southern Oregon, save the date for the book launch on the evening of November 9...more info soon!)
*Living Large on Little is now available here.
