Joy
Tonight is the lighting of the pink Advent Candle, the third Sunday in Advent celebrates JOY and is also known as Gaudete Sunday. As defined in Webster's joy is the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. The Wikipedia gives joy one line, the same amount of space given to delight. Happiness though receives a whole page. People don't use the word joy much, except around the holidays and then wishing someone a season filled with joy is more a traditional greeting than a sincere sentiment. Are people not filled with joy or are they afraid to acknowledge extreme happiness by using a simple three letter word?
| 19:43
1 Comments:
Well, I think that most people understand Joy to be a fleeting emotion, here now, gone tomorrow (or in a few minutes). However, a lot of folks think happiness is a state we can achieve long term, and there is therefore argument about just what happiness is.
Another issue is that "joy" is understood to be a hedonistic pursuit. Whereas happiness seems more noble a goal. So there is a lot of debate about the merit of pursuing happiness as a goal in life (does it just reduce to hedonism? It is more important to to do the right thing than be happy?)
Anyway, I could use a good dose of both!
Post a Comment
<< Home