Joy vs. Happiness

Christmas is a time of the year where we wish others joy. Notice we don't wish them happiness. We want them to be happy but we don't traditionally wish them happiness.

But what is joy exactly? Is it the same thing as happiness?

According to the old trustworthy standard, Webster's Dictionary:

Joy is "an emotion evoked by well-being, success or the good fortune of possessing what one desires." and

Happiness is "a state of well-being or contentment".

So,they're they are essentially the same thing, right? No they are not!

The root word for happiness is "hap" and that is the same as the root word for happen.

Hap means "chance or fate". Therefore, happiness is a state of contentment directly related to circumstances or fate.

Joy is something much deeper and is not related to circumstances or "happenings".

In my experience, nothing on this earth will bring joy - just happiness...

If you want true joy you need Jesus!

J - Jesus
O - others
Y - yourself

So, keep wishing strangers joy and know in your heart that true joy can only be felt by knowing Jesus!

Spread this to others and I hope to see you down the trail...

Listening...

The older I get the more I realize that life is meant to be lived at a slower pace than I'm living it. I crave solitude and simplicity and I'm probably not alone.

Oh, I've got all the "time-saving" gadgets everyone else has - cell phone, laptop with internet access, microwave oven, etc. But, life does not get slower and I'm only saving time on some things to lose them to other things.

The more gadgets I have the more work it is to control them so they don't control me. Busyness is very draining and I find that I can't hear God unless I'm quiet and still.

I wrote this little piece of verse the other day and it sort of sums up today's thoughts:

Turn off the TV
Turn off the phone
Read your Bible
and get all alone
God speaks in a whisper
He doesn't yell or shout
The TV and the phone
drown His voice out.

Working on listening and I hope to see you down the trail!

Almost Sold Out!

My first book, E is for Ellisville, hit the web just a month ago and it is almost sold out of the first printing! So far, I have received many wonderful comments and it has been well received. For that I am thankful!

Keeping the history of my hometown, Ellisville, Mississippi alive was the purpose of the book and I am happy it is accomplishing its purpose.

I will be in Ellisville for a book signing event at the Ellisville Library sometime next year. I am working with the Friends of the Ellisville Library organization to get that scheduled and will let you know when.

Again, if you already have a copy, thank you for your support! If you don't yet have a copy, order it soon or purchase one at a book signing event. I am also working on placing books at a store in Ellisville - more on that later.

See ya down the trail...