It seems that even extreme delight can be viewed as harmful when emotions swing from one mood to another. I don't know if there is a cap on gladness but I hope that laughter leads only to tears of joy.
When searching for a word beginning with "J", joy quickly came to mind. This little word with large implications rings like a musical note to many ears. Most of us like to see the word on various paraphernalia as a reminder of what we want to achieve. It makes me wonder if people named Joy are more cheerful.
Although joy can be heartfelt without the glee I expressed as a little girl, it does tend to reflect the carefree abandon of a child. More than a smile flashed for a camera, joy is internal and deep. Happiness is fleeting caused by events but joy is longer lasting and felt most often by those who are easily content.
Author Anais Nin explained joy elegantly when she wrote: "A leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked. " - Anais Nin
Copyright by Penelope PuddlismsThis post showcases the letter "J" for joy. If you think words are fun and enjoy playing with the alphabet, visit ABC Wednesday.
Great post. It is odd how children expressing delight and joy are told to settle down. I can remember being told that as a child too. I also remember that when my daughter was very young and would get highly excited in a joyful way it could also change to a fussy tired unhappy mood. Even so I think happy excitement is something the adult world should relish in children.
ReplyDeleteJoy is such a wonderful word. I suspect joy has different meanings for many people. To me joy is when my heart sings, when I feel at one with the universe.
ReplyDeleteSpring has come to Ontario softly - warm and sunny... and that has filled my heart with joy this morning.
Nature surely fills me with joy even during my unhappy times. I walked my favorite park today and .... “joy accompanied me as I walked”.
ReplyDeleteBeing a highly sensitive personality every emotion is super sized in me. And I so remember being told to tone it down, calm down, settle down...
ReplyDeleteThey just didn't understand how intense the feelings were. Where they just saw a bird, I saw a whole entire different world.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
EG Camergirl said it all.
ReplyDeleteJane x
A lovely, positive post.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It's so wonderful too experience true joy within. I agree with EG. I like the Nin quote as well.
ReplyDeleteI HATED it when grownup said "Settle down" when I was in a good place. Sucked out the joy.
ReplyDelete(This still happens occasionally, which suggests I'm still a child?)
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
That was a nice positive post this morning to read.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful descriptions of joy.
ReplyDeleteJoy is an inner feeling, even when the wind is howling on the outside.
I love your post and reflections that joy does reflect a careless abandon of childhood!
ReplyDeleteNicely put, Penelope! Have a jolly week,
ReplyDeleteLeslie
abcw team
Beautiful words and so appropriate for the first day of Spring.
ReplyDeleteVery lovely piece... Like your take on joy.
ReplyDeleteI think our mothers were trying to discourage "a fit of giggles" and hoping our joy could be expressed as quiet awe instead. Also, I think mothers might have had definite ideas as to time and place. A fit of giggles on the back lawn probably wasn't as likely to be shushed as a fit of giggles in church or while visiting a great-aunt.
ReplyDeleteAs a great-aunt myself, however, I would love to have Mya visit me, giggling or not.
K
A beautiful post, Penelope. The NIn quote and the reminder of the many ways we feel joy are perfect Spring messages. You made me think about my childhood. I think, sometimes, I was afraid to expect too much, in the fear of jinxing joy. Hm.. can one say that :) All I know is that my philosophy now is that the more one notices the happy times, the more there seem to be to notice.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post -- made me happy (filled me with joy!).....I remember being told to 'settle down' many times. (I sure hope I never said that to our kids.) Anais definitely nailed some of my most joyful times.
ReplyDeleteGreat post for your "J." Joy is like salt to me. Without it, the world is bland and drab! Thanks for sharing such a personal thing!
ReplyDelete