Why joy and not happiness?
As I was doing my research on why Joy should be my word for 2019 I came across this explanation. Unfortunately I did not note exactly where I got it from but it really spoke to me.
"Joy and happiness are wonderful feelings to experience, but are very different. Joy is more consistent and is cultivated internally. It comes when you make peace with who you are, why you are and how you are, whereas happiness tends to be externally triggered and is based on other people, things, places, thoughts and events."
This year it was hard to decide on that special word. And to be quite honest when I first saw the word I wasn’t completely sold on it. I mean having joy is cool and all but Joy didn’t scream at me like past words of the year had. And so I kept fighting it and searching for another word to help me grow through 2019. But here’s the thing, having joy is not like having happiness. Joy comes from within. Having joy means you have accepted who you are and have decided to be joyful regardless of what is happening in your life. It is a choice to see the good in any situation which in my opinion is a pretty good goal to make for the year. With each word of past year I have experienced the best and the worse of it all. It's true what they say, be careful what you wish for, or in this case what you pray for, because God sure has a unique way to grant you your prayers. So I am sure that it will be challenging to find joy in the everyday but I am up for the challenge. Or so I hope to be.
Past Words of the Year:
2015 Grace
2016 Faith
2017 Healing
2018 Patience