Joy – They Wrote a Book on It

“I always say Joy is the happiness that doesn’t depend on what happens.”
–Brother David Steindl-Rast

Such a quote is destined to reframe many people’s notion of joy, much like it did my own.

We often think of joy in moments. Highlight reel moments of births, graduations, weddings, great accomplishments and that perfect slice of NY pizza. (FYI: there is no debate.)

And simple moments of making pancakes with your kid, walking your dog, finding the right gif to respond to a friend and hitting all the green lights on the way to work. But, what if I told you joy is more of a state of being you can cultivate, not a moment to be orchestrated or left to chance. Forget about me, what if the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu told you?  Well, they have. And, it’s simply called The Book of Joy, a book I highly recommend you spend some time with.

The Secret

While you may think you are getting the inside scoop on joy forged by the friendship of two of the world’s most well-known spiritual leaders, I’ll be the one who bursts your joy bubble. There is no secret. Rather, the book makes this most wonderful of states, joy, accessible no matter your circumstances. If there is any secret, it simply is that cultivating joy in your own life is most often a result of using your talents in service of others. In giving we receive is alive and well in the 21^st century and these two giants of men share the why, how and what to make it all happen.

An Operating Manual for Life

is a story of friendship, humanity and wisdom which coalesces in the eight Pillars of Joy – Perspective, Humility, Humor, Acceptance, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Compassion and Generosity – a virtual operating manual for cultivating a joyful spirit.

Many of the Pillars are what you expect, but each carries with it at least one unique perspective upon which to reflect.

1. Perspective – We must cultivate a more “complete and holistic view of reality, and if we do, our response will be more constructive”

2. Humility – “Arrogance is the confusion between our temporary roles and our fundamental identity” as one of seven billion human beings
3. Humor – Teasing is a “sign of intimacy and friendship”, based on knowing there is a “reservoir of affection” between two people
4. Acceptance – “Stress and anxiety come from our expectations of how life should be” 

5. Forgiveness – “The power of forgiveness lies [in] not losing sight of the humanity of the person while responding to the wrong with clarity and firmness”

6. Gratitude – “[It] helps us catalog, celebrate, and rejoice in each day and each moment before they slip through the vanishing hourglass of experience”
7. Compassion – [It] is a more “empowered state“ than empathy “where we want what is best for the other person”

8. Generosity – Do what you can and “start where you are”

Joy Is Life

Perhaps we were meant to live in joy. If it truly is not dependent on our current circumstances, that it is a choice. The choice is certainly harder for some than others, but the more focus and training to act and react in joy, the easier the choice gets.

Written while listening to Bahamas’ Earthtones.

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