The Happiness Project

One of the blogs I enjoy reading is Slate’s Happiness Project. It is what it sounds like — a project documenting one person’s attempts to be happier in the living of their life.

I think if it were my project, I might pick the title the Joyfulness project. In my mind, there is a profound difference between joy and happiness. Joy is a deep emotion, which is not exclusive of pain or toil or struggle. In fact, joy is more likely in that environment than an easy one. Happiness, however, I see as a fluid and fleeting emotion; an easy-come, easy-go feeling. Joy sticks with you. Happiness is a gift, to be taken or given. Joy is won in the struggle.

Anyway, I appreciate the reminders I get from reading it to be intentional about my experience of life and to connect head-on with what matters.