A few weeks ago, I was sitting in a circle of friends when one asked us, “What brings you joy, not happiness, but joy?” 

As is often the case, that started me thinking along ethical lines. What is the difference? Don’t we often consider joy and happiness to be synonyms and use them interchangeably in everyday conversations? So, could they be different in significant ways? 

The answer, as confirmed by the responses of the group, revealed what we already understood deep in the core of our being. Joy and happiness, while perhaps having similar short-term effects on our well-being, are significantly different.  

Happiness is best understood as an emotional feeling brought on by external circumstances. It is a spontaneous reaction, while joy is the fruit of a heart and mind filled with a conviction that life is a blessed privilege, regardless of the situation. Given that happiness is a personal emotional response, it is often short-lived unless sustained by ongoing, happiness-laced circumstances.  

Consider a day at the beach. If the sun is out and the water is warm, we’re........

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