William, It Was Really Nothing

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said 'Never will I leave thee, nor forsake thee', so we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I shall not fear what men shall do unto me" - Hebrew 13v5,6.

I don't think much of happiness. I used to, but I believe now that there's much more to be said for joy, and for contentment. My experience is that happiness is a very good feeling, but it only lasts for a while, like the battery on a mobile. You can never have happiness 100% of the time, I would suggest. With experience, you can possibly learn to jumpstart it, by forcing yourself to be positive and energetic. This reflects from those who are around you, and then it is often easier for you, in turn, to bounce off their vibes.

Joy, on the other hand, is constant. In my experience as a Christian, at least. When I've been far from God, joy levels have been somewhat depleted after a while, as if you're not quite whole. A creature is meant to have a relationship, a bond, with his or her creator. You can see this in the familial relationships of both humans and animals. Joy is security in the knowledge that you have God with you, that He loves you, that He has a plan for you. It is deep-seated.

You can be joyful, and not happy.

However, I have found, that if joy is given, it is much easier to find happiness. Being overall a more content and satisified person, you immediately exude this like an aura. You find pleasure in everything - paintings, friends, books, jelly beans.

"For all the gods of the people are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendour and majesty are before Him, strength and joy are in His place" - 1 Chronicles 16:26;27

- scriptor