What has done it for you? What in your vast life experience has produced that one emotion? That unique feeling? That unforgettable happiness? How have you experienced Joy?
Other than the fact that my first real girlfriend was named Joy, I estimate that this welcome friend has occurred in my life a handful of times. It usually comes with something as life changing as getting that job you wanted, or perhaps an unexpected stroke of good luck. A reward of some kind or that wonder feeling that comes with being validated, understood, valued.
Joy often comes when you are open to it. Case in point. Many thousands of people have recently felt the exultation of joy because their team has won a championship, their horse a race, or their candidate a political contest. But what of those that eschew sports or politics or or other interests. I think they miss out on something very beneficial. Something with bigger consequences that meet the eye.
When I try to talk to someone who does not follow baseball and has no interest in doing so, it often feels that they are missing out on something life affirming. This gets into the area of pleasant memories. What we choose to remember or forget often has to do with the emotions felt at the time. If one of those emotions is pure joy you can bet that we'll remember not only how we felt, but where we were and much of what led up to and cam after this exhilaration.
But I can't walk around and pity folks who don't share what produces joy in my life. I do feel foe them, but they make the choice to accept or ignore the joy producers in life.
So what has done it for you? For me it's quite simple. My team, the Giants, winning the World Series, my candidate winning a close election, getting validation from an admired colleague. More regularly, the horse I backed winning a race, reaching a goal...my first brown trout. The latter produced a smile I wore for at least a week.
As a young man, getting positive feedback or date with someone I was attracted to is another good example.
If I have learned anything in this lifetime, it would be that putting yourself in a position to experience sheer joy is always worthwhile.
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