Publisher’s Note
I would like to introduce you to my niece, Zoe.
She lives in San Diego with her husband, Slater.
A few months back she began to write a blog that she has called Pandemic Ramblings. I read it and I like it. I like her insight, her perspective, and more than anything, to be where she is at and “be okay” with it.
I have encouraged her to be on these pages because I think what she has to offer is important and timely.
Please welcome her. {{more}}
I was reading a short devotional the other day and stumbled upon this crazy concept.
Joy is different from happiness.
Repeat that to yourself real quick joy is different than happiness. Most of the time those words are used interchangeably, but it turns out they do in fact mean different things.
The definition of happiness is: a pleasurable or satisfying experience. Happiness is dependent on external circumstances. Such as the rush you get from leaving work early, or a really good piece of chocolate.
The definition of joy is: a state of happiness or felicity. The key word in that sentence is state. Joy comes from within. Its more of a constant feeling of contentment, it something that you carry with you always, compared to a brief spark when something good happens.
In a previous post Thankfulness and Gratefulness, I wrote about how I can really hope to just live in a state of constant gratefulness versus just the sporadic moments of thankfulness. I hope that in turn being grateful propels me find a constant state of joy. In doing so I wouldn’t need to chase the next thing or the next “high.”
Going through my days just hoping for moments of happiness I have learned is not the best way to go through life. I shouldn’t have to wait for something to happen in order to feel happy. I should be able to feel joy at all times. I don’t need to wait for something to happen.
Learning about these things has truly helped me guide my way through the Pandemic. On the days where I wanted to curl up and cry; reading about joy, happiness and gratitude has really been my life raft. It forces me to think of the good things that are going on. That could be the birds chirping while I walk Toretto and the smell of the garden, a quick beach trip, a coffee with a friend, the roof over my head or my new pillow. There is always something going on for me to happy– this helps lead to joy and I need to remember that.
In one article I was reading also mentioned that there are pillars to joy. A few of my favorites that I try and practice are:
1. humor — everyone needs to laugh
2. gratitude — see previous paragraph
3. generosity — the best part of generosity is that it doesn’t necessarily mean giving money, you can be generous with time as well like volunteering.
4. perspective — sometimes you need a reality check and put your life into perspective, if everything is going wrong, what exactly is going right. Maybe it all comes down to a good hair day.
My question to you today is: how are you going to try and live a life of constant joy?
Zoe Fortenberry is from San Diego. We welcome her to our team of volunteers.
She wrote this on her blog…
Hi, I’m Zoe. We’re all going through something crazy right now, and what better way than to write about it and mental health and keeping yourself sane. Lets realize we’re all in the same boat. It’s ok to just be “ok” and stuck in some sort of emotional limbo. Here are my Pandemic Ramblings.
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- We are always on the look out for sponsors and advertisers for this PAGE.
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THANK YOU!
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