The difference between joy and happiness: Reflections for the Jewish New Year
What do you think the difference is between JOY and HAPPINESS? Do you give it much thought or do you consider them synonyms? I’ve really enjoyed studying the words JOY and HAPPINESS with different groups of people over the past several years. Listening to other people’s perception of the distinction - whether they’ve never thought of it before or whether they’ve delved deeply into the differences.
The examples we often discuss include the “feeling” of happiness- more of a fleeting experience, something external like a thing, event or person that makes you happy. That feeling is typically impermanent. Joy, on the other hand, is internal, a peaceful state of mind, transcending the physicality that happiness represents. When we say “Happy Birthday” we are usually talking about a day of celebration, for example. When you wish for good blessings in someone’s new year, you may replace “happy” with “joy,” invoking a more subconscious sense that is implied by living a joyful life. The most simplified way of looking at the two is happiness as an event and joy as an attitude.
As we move into September, the last third of the year 2021, the beginning of the Jewish new year in just a few days, and the beautiful season of Fall, we feel a lot of the uncertainty being brought about once again by the pandemic, so many things we can’t do. It would be easy to say “this isn’t a very happy time” if you only listen to the negative tapes playing in your head. On the other hand, if you embrace this period intentionally, with a joyful attitude, you may be able to witness some of the silver linings even in the everyday experiences you encounter.
May September bring you health.
May September bring you reflection.
May September move you forward.
May September be joy-filled, with happy moments as well.
This article was written by Retreat House Friend and Covenant Partner Karen Hoffman. Karen is the Founder and CEO of Living on Purpose. Karen's commitment to helping people on their life journeys has always been central to the work she's done. She has facilitated and taught small groups for over 12
years. Karen's creativity, energy, empathy and passion for learning and personal growth enrich lives of people with whom she works. Sher wrote “the difference between joy and happiness: Reflections for the Jewish New Year as part of a 30 day writing meditation to prepare for Rosh Hashanah on September 7, 2021.