*Today’s post inspired by this post.
How many of you would describe yourself as “happy”? Is happiness even possible in this lifetime?
Happiness is transitory. I can be happy one minute and deeply saddened the next. I want to have joy which feels more lasting and less fleeting than happiness. Perhaps that’s why James says:
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:2-5
When you have joy, you can still experience peace and contentment in the midst of problems. Happiness is a fickle teenager while Joy is a seasoned senior citizen
What are your thoughts about happiness?
Morocco's Bazaar 
Morocco,
I must share a quote that my precious daughter shared with me about happiness. “Being happy doesn’t mean everything is perfect.. It means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.”
I have to admit that I am happier than I have ever been in my life. That doesn’t mean each day I am ecstatic or that each day is perfect. Each day is a new learning experience. For me, gratitude and humility have taken me so far to find peace, contentment, and happiness in my life. 😀
Awww, which daughter? So true!
My oldest. 🙂
I think that you can find happiness. You chose to be happy or be miserable in your situation to a certain extent. Yea, life will throw you curve balls and they might even throw you down for a bit, but how long you stay down and how you play the hand….
up to you
Hi Amy, I knew you would have a sports analogy, lol, but you are correct!
First of all: Love the new layout. It’s very warm.
I like what you said about Joy being a senior citizen. I am happier today than I’ve been in previously. James was right to admonish us to count it all joy when we go through trials. After weathering many storms, it makes waking up to greet another day that might better and brighter!
Thanks, it’s called “Choco”, lol. Yes, it’s true what James admonished. However, it is hard for me to do.
I’m like you in that I find happiness and sadness sometimes at the same time. Things happen to make me smile and then something else will happen to bring a frown.
I don’t think anyone is ever happy all the time or sad all the time. I know there have been times in my life when I was either happier or sadder than other times.
I also believe we’re thrown balls and we need to dodge them. If we never knew sadness, how would we know and appreciate happiness?
Love the new look to your blog! And, I think that there is a fundamental difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is temporary. Joy is deeper and has an added sense of peace and contentment to it. I like what Joy says above…”If we never knew sadness, how would we know and appreciate happiness?”