I’m not so very religious …

I’m actually not religious at all.

I don’t believe in one god, because even each of those who believe in ‘one god’ have a different idea of what s/he is/does/looks like. I don’t believe that there is one set of detailed rules, although I do find it interesting that most of the religions that I have been introduced to are founded on the same basic handful. I don’t believe that one book, in any religion, tells the whole truth … because there is no truth, only perception by both author and reader.

So when I started researching the definition of ‘joy’, I was dismayed to find that the majority of the texts were published by theologians or spiritual schools … and I started to think that I should change the subject matter of this blog.

But then I found this:

Disney-imagined ‘joy’ …

Which made me smile.

And from there I found this :

“Happiness is an outward expression of elation. Joy is an inner peace or sense of contentment … ”

Through happiness – laughter, silliness, smiles – joy develops … ” Joy is believing in yourself. Joy is knowing we will make mistakes … but that we are still valuable and magnificent exactly as we are. Joy is knowing that laughter will lead us as we face difficult tasks. Joy is feeling the connection to each other.

… Joy is not in things, it is in us.”*

Where I thought that possibly joy is a subset of happiness – possibly it’s the other way round … or possibly they’re interdependent – can you be joyful without being happy? No. Can you be happy without being joyful – yes … I think …

So I’m going to embrace the Disney image and couple it with my own definition of joy:

“‘Joy’ is an emotion. It is transient. It is bright. It goes deep. It is a whole of body sensation felt when all is completely right with the world”

*https://www.girlsontherun.org/remarkable/323/What-is-Joy,-Really